A folding iPhone might not be as far-fetched as you may think. Rumors about it started years ago without bearing fruit, but they continue anyway. It looks like it might happen for real this time since a leak hit our radar yesterday. There’s a report going around town about Apple and Samsung shaking hands over a deal. Apple wants to buy folding displays from Samsung to make their alleged new foldable Iphone It seems true so far because Samsung is the one who supplies the Macbook and iPhone screens. The nature of this leak is quite vague. We don’t know if it’s about horizontal folding iPhones or clamshell flips. There’s no way to be sure. But you can be sure if Apple is making a collapsable device, Samsung will be behind its screen tech. That brand has such a mastery over this category that many other Android companies take inspiration from it. Apple will be wise to ask the grand foldable master to help build the first book-format or flip-format iPhone. And a deal for the provision of fold-screen technology is one way to go about it. We look to rumor mill to fill the gaps left by today’s leak. There’s no official claim, just rumors, so we have doubts of our own about its legitimacy. They say that the coming foldable iPhone is the rival of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. It flips from top to bottom with a backbone labeled iPhone. Or at least, that’s what fan-made renders depict. But without any evidence, these concepts are nothing but cheap parody.
Zong 4G’s CEO Mr. Huo Junli meets Minister of State for IT&T Ms. Shaza Fatima to discuss the future of Telecom in Pakistan
Islamabad 10th May 2024: The CEO of Zong 4G, Mr. Huo Junli met with the Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja to discuss the future of IT, digitalization and issues faced by the Telecom sector in Pakistan. The discussion focused primarily on digitalization, connectivity, spectrum auction, and 5G rollout. The meeting was also attended by CMPAK’s Chief Regulatory Officer Mr. Kamran Ali. Ms. Shaza Fatima’s emphasis on the promotion of information and communication technology (ICT) as a government priority reflects a strategic recognition of the pivotal role that technology plays in modern society. Furthermore, Ms. Shaza Fatima highlighted a two-fold commitment: improving connectivity services nationwide and resolving existing telecom issues. During this strategic discussion, Ms. Shaza Fatima mentioned that a strong digital ecosystem serves as the foundation for successful digitalization initiatives across various sectors and industries. Both Mr. Huo Junli and Ms. Shaza Fatima shared a vision of creating a digital ecosystem that will bridge the current digital divide by providing top-notch technology and seamless connectivity throughout the country. According to Mr. Huo Junli, ‘The Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication and the telecom industry play pivotal roles in shaping Pakistan’s digital future. By collaborating on the progression of digital inclusion, digitalization and robust connectivity to unlock the full potential of IT to drive socio-economic development, empower communities, and improve the quality of life for all Pakistanis.’
Huawei Pakistan launches its Tiger Program 2021
Huawei Pakistan in collaboration with the EZY Technologies organized the launching ceremony of the Huawei Pakistan Tiger Program 2021. This Program is designed to prepare an elite class of technical leaders who will be masters in their respective assigned technologies. This program will provide focused mentorship to individuals so that they are capable of elaborating business as well as technical advantages of the solution and will become future leaders in Pakistan ICT industry. This 1-1 mentorship will be drive through the Regional/HQ Technology Experts via focused sessions and hands on cloud demo sessions. After the successful completion of the program, the participants will go through an extensive evaluation criteria. The candidates, who pass the evaluation, will be awarded the membership of Pakistan Technology Tiger club in their respective technology along with prizes and recognition. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Shahzad Rasheed, CTO EBG – Huawei Pakistan said, “Huawei Pakistan is continuously investing in the ICT resource development by enabling their Partnered ICT companies. These resources will be highly valuable for the future ICT Industry and will be contributing in Digital Pakistan making a fully connected intelligent Pakistan”. Must Read: 4 Success Keys to become Short Video Content Creator of the Next Level While addressing the candidates, Mr. Adnan Zafar, Director EBG – Huawei Pakistan, highlighted the key aspects of the Tiger Program and explained how this program will help in producing technology experts in the ICT industry of Pakistan. Mr. Shanxiaoping, Director Channels – Huawei Pakistan also spoke during the occasion and mentioned, “Huawei is working in Pakistan for more than 20 years and is committed to invest more to develop it Partner ecosystem. We believe, we will develop good partners if we invest in their resource development and this exactly is the purpose of this program.” The event was attended by top management of Huawei Channels Partners, Tech Access Pakistan, Wateen Solutions, New Horizon, CMC, CNSE and EZY Technologies and they applauded the investment Huawei is doing for the enablement and professional growth of the local talent. Mr. Tariq Malik, CEO Tech Access Pakistan, also address the candidates and emphasized on the importance of learning new skills and technologies to boost their professional careers.
Huawei and HEC launch Free ICT Training under “Seeds for the Future” Programme 2020
Huawei and HEC are going to launch free training in ICT skills to 30 undergraduate students across the country as part of Huawei Seeds for The Future Program 2020. In the last 5 years, around 55 students from across the country have been sent to China for 2 weeks training on the Chinese Culture and ICT Skills to further hone their career skills. This year due to COVID-19, HEC and Huawei will arrange the program virtually from 21st September to 25th September 2020. The Huawei Technologies (Pvt). Ltd Pakistan and The Higher education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan are inviting application from potential Pakistani undergraduate students under Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” programme 2020. Huawei will organize online training for 30 outstanding Pakistani students in the field of ICT from September 21-25,2020. The Selected students will be able to obtain valuable cutting-edge ICT Knowledge developed by Huawei’s Headquarters and experience a cross culture communication virtually. Must Read: Telenor Pakistan’s Digital Birth Registration wins big at AD Stars 2020 Top two students will be selected and sent to china for the learning tour in early 2021 together with students from around the world. Top ten students will be provided Huawei souvenirs for their participation. The application procedure is as follows: · Apply through HEC online application portal https://seedsprogramme.hec.gov.pk · please follow the instructions and fill out the online application completely and submit it. · HEC reserves the right to conduct interviews of initially shortlisted candidates. · Incomplete or saved application on HEC online portal will not be considered. · The recommendation of nominating agency i.e. HEC will be final and binding. It must be noted that the minimum CGPA required for the program is 3.5 or above. Students who are entering their 7th or 8th semester can apply for the program or if they are recent graduates, they are also eligible. Following is the detailed eligibility criteria: · Be a Pakistani/AJK national & permanent resident of Pakistan/AJK. Dual nationality holders are not eligible · Majoring in disciplines/subjects such as Information and Communication Technology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Informatics, Multimedia & Digital Arts, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Electrical Communication Engineering, Telecom Engineering, Electronics Engineering · Students who are currently enrolled in final year of ICT related Undergraduate degrees (four years program only with 7th Semester & 8th Semester) with minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 4. · Students who have completed their four years Undergraduate ICT related degrees with minimum CGPA of 3.5 out of 4. · Less than 24 years old on closing date of application · Demonstrate excellent academic acumen, speak English fluently · Have a strong interest in Information Communication & Technology and related fields · With personal computer equipment and strong internet connection · Selected students must be available during online training sessions (from 21st to 25th September, 2020) · Final selection will be based on academic excellence & Federal Govt. quota policy · In case of final award, selected candidates will not be able to withdraw Around 30 students from across the country will be trained by Huawei after final selection by HEC. The deadline for submission of applications is 14th September 2020.
Easypaisa and NADRA Technologies Ltd. Collaborate for Accessible Digital Financial Services
Easypaisa, Pakistan’s flagship digital payments platform has joined hands with NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL) to provide cross-platform services on NADRA e-sahulat networks enabling convenient access to digital financial solutions. Under the partnership, all 12,000 NADRA e-Sahulat centers across the country will now also provide a host of Easypaisa services. The agreement was signed by Khurram Malik, Head of Easypaisa, Telenor Microfinance Bank and Mr. Ali Javed, Director General, Public Service Directorate, NADRA Technologies Limited. Senior members from both organizations were also present on the occasion. Easypaisa, the leading digital payments platform with more than 150,000 branchless banking agents across Pakistan is among the frontrunners working towards revolutionizing digital financial services. NTL’s partnership with Easypaisa is testament to the fact that change is being adopted at a national level providing a robust foundation for convenient access to digital financial services throughout the country. Must Read: TCL launches Pakistan’s first Certified 8K UHD QLED TV As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital payments have taken a center stage when it comes to safe and convenient access to financial services. This partnership is another step towards the development of a digital ecosystem that benefits the country as a whole. Speaking at the occasion, Khurram Malik, Head of Easypaisa, Telenor Microfinance Bank said; “Effective collaborations are the ideal way forward to extend our services in partnership with some of the leading technology-based platforms in the country. Our alliance with NADRA Technologies Ltd. is an avenue for both organizations to make digital payments simple and conveniently accessible for everyone while also improving financial inclusion ratios in the country at the same time.” Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ali Javed, Director General, Public Service Directorate, NADRA Technologies Limited emphasized on the need of effective collaboration between Government and private sector to further facilitate general public as well as to bring good governess. Focus of NADRA Technologies has always been towards new partnerships and avenues, eventually creating public convenience to access government services and to create jobs in the market. Alliance with Telenor Microfinance bank is also a milestone in supporting Government initiative of National Financial Inclusion. Easypaisa has evolved significantly as a complete digital payments solution especially in the months following the announcement of lockdowns across the country in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. The service has opened significant avenues for customers to conduct various transactions reliably and safely through a platform which is easily accessible through a smartphone app, USSD codes on feature phones and also through a network of 150,000 agents across Pakistan.
Chinese investors Met with PM to Expressed their Commitment to enhance Business cooperation
A delegation of 10 leading Chinese companies undertaking business ventures in critical sectors including energy, communication, agriculture, science and technology, financial sector and industry called on Prime Minister Imran Khan. Chinese investors Met with PM to Expressed their Commitment to enhance Business cooperation. The delegation comprised of representative of Huawei Pakistan, Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Yao Jing and Mr. Javed Afridi, CEO Haier were also present. Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razaq Dawood, Chairman Board of Investment Atif R. Bokhari, Chairman CPEC Authority Lt Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa also attended the meeting. Must Read: Virgin Atlantic Set to Launch New Services to Pakistan From London and Manchester The Chinese investors thanked the Prime Minister for his personal interest in facilitating Chinese investors and business community in Pakistan. The participants expressed satisfaction over business-friendly policies of the present government especially in improving ease of doing business. They reaffirmed commitment to further expand their investments and explore more business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. “Various reforms introduced at policy and implementation level have enhanced confidence of the Chinese business community and Pakistan is being looked as a major partner in development in the post COVID-19 environment”, stated the Chinese Ambassador. The Prime Minister while welcoming the representatives of leading Chinese company stated that Pakistan accords great importance to strengthening its relations with China. The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan and China have shared destiny. He said that strengthening of business to business ties of the people of the two countries is a foremost priority. The Prime Minister assured the Chinese investors that his government will accord highest priority to provision of every possible facilitation to the Chinese investors. The Prime Minister asked the Chinese business houses to establish their regional offices in Pakistan.
Expanding 5G Ecosystem will boost Pakistan and regional economies during COVID-19 recovery
Telecommunications leaders and experts from Pakistan and across the world recently gatheredat the SAMENA Telecommunication Council Leaders’ Summit to review plans for unleashing the potential of 5G networks to boost economiesand societies in a post COVID-19 environment. Held virtually for the first time due to social-distancing requirements, the Summit was hosted by Huawei for the seventh consecutive year. Expanding 5G Ecosystem will boost Pakistan and regional economies during COVID-19 recovery. This year, the SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leaders’ Summit welcomed H.E. Maj. Gen. Amir Azeem Bajwa, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority; H.E. Tania Aidrus, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Digital Pakistan;H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, Founder of World Childhood Foundation; H.E. Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of the ITU; Mats Granryd, Director General GSMA; Isabelle Mauro,Head of Telecommunications at the World Economic Forum in the USA; Mark Spelman, Head of Thought Leadership at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland; and Dr. Boutheina Guermazi, Director – Digital Development at The World Bank Group in the USA. Summit attendees also included senior executives from telecommunications service providers, local regulatory authorities, global NGOs, and other ICT industry professionals representing decision makers for different verticals and government entities in countries from across South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond. H.E. Maj. Gen. Amir Azeem Bajwa, Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, noted: “We foresee our 5G ecosystem to serve as the bedrock of sustainable socio-economic development in Pakistan. Deployment of this transformative technology should be precisely timed, supported by intelligent regulatory initiatives, enabled by adequate spectrum resources, under favorable market conditions, and with consensus of all stakeholders. I believe that readiness of our telecom infrastructure will be sufficient to support 5G networks and services across the country.” H.E. Tania Aidrus, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Digital Pakistan, added: “We have to really think of the Internet as one of the most democratizing forces. How do we ensure that we are helping young people come out, apply their skills, apply their knowledge, and apply their creativity to innovate for the country? And really, a government’s job here is to clear the path.” Must Read: OPPO Redefines the A Series User Experience with OPPO A92 Charles Yang, President of Huawei Middle East, delivered the opening keynote of the summit, commenting: “Although the pandemic has brought uncertainty to our lives, the advantages of 5G infrastructure are increasingly clear. The outbreak has led to increased demand for ICT solutions specifically in areas like 5G amid a boost in network usage and 5G 2B innovations. Meeting that demand will require new forms of public-private partnerships based on open collaboration, supporting strong industry policies that will enable social value, economic development, and provide enhanced service experiences to consumers across the region.” The Summit was held under the theme “5G-X: Harnessing 5G Across Industries for Investment Revival” and highlighted how technology and ICT infrastructure play a significant role in our societies and economies.The COVID-19 pandemicdemonstrated the need to strengthen digital infrastructure to better prepare societies for future crisesand to make systems more resilient and sustainable, guaranteeing a better and more effective outcome. A shift to cloud, IoT, and better integration of AI into the public health response was also spotlighted, in addition to harnessing of other technologies for smart service delivery, which should be a key priority moving forward. Summit highlights included a dedicated Huawei 5G Ecosystem Conference held for the third consecutive year under the theme “Unleash 5G potential, build a better world”. Participants reviewed 5G ecosystem cooperation in the Middle East, and how 5G paired with complementary technologies such as cloud, AI, and AI-driven autonomous and BVLOS commercial drone applications, can inspire newvertical industry applications. Today that ranges fromimproving SME competitiveness tothe digitization ofoil &gas operations in the Middle East and globally, all of which boost economic potential by enhancing industrial processes and productivity.
DigiSkills.pk – 1 Million Trainings Imparted to Youth in Freelancing
One million trainings have been imparted to youth in freelancing under the National Level Training Program DigiSkills.pk launched by Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication through Ignite National Technology Fund. On the direction of Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Federal Secretary Ministry of IT Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, was briefed on the successful execution of the program by Dr. Zafar Alvi, Project Director DSTP (DigiSkills Training Project) through video link on Wednesday. The DigiSkills Training Project (DSTP) was awarded to Virtual University of Pakistan through an open tender based upon its 15 years demonstrated expertise in online distance learning. Must Read: Ufone makes Pakistan proud, wins two Global Gold Awards CEO Ignite Syed Junaid Imam and Rector Virtual University Naeem Tariq were also present on the occasion. The Project Director apprised the Secretary IT & Telecom that in its 30-month span the project aimed to impart 1 million trainings in 7 batches, with each batch of 12 weeks duration. However, the target of imparting 1 million free online trainings was achieved in the 6th batch. Two hundred and fifty thousand course enrolments have already been made for the 7th batch that will start on 27th May 2020, thereby exceeding the target by 0.25 million trainings by August 2020. Secretary IT said that DigiSkills Training Program provided an excellent opportunity for the youth to earn valuable foreign exchange during the lockdown period. He lauded the efforts of the Ignite, Virtual University and the marketing and monitoring teams for achieving the target before time. A National Level Training Program (DigiSkills.pk) launched by Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication through Ignite National Technology Fund has been providing free of cost training in freelancing and other marketable skills to youth. The program comprises of 10 courses including Freelancing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Graphic Design, Digital Literacy, e-Commerce Management, Creative Writing, QuickBooks, AutoCAD and WordPress.
Huawei 5G to Roll Out in 120 Car Models, Starting With BYD Han EV
Huawei’s 5G-based HiCar technology is not just another auto infotainment system. It’s more like an interface to the car’s core operating system and a vehicle-to-X channel to the road. HiCar will first appear on the BYD Han EV in June, before arriving in models from about 30 different auto brands. Huawei 5G to Roll Out in 120 Car Models, Starting With BYD Han EV Analysts view 5G adoption in cars (and roads) as the ultra-fast communications backbone to autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and the internet of things. It also provides in-vehicle features such as controlling windows, locks, AC, and streaming media. BYD, China’s largest EV maker, will use Huawei’s Hi Car technology in its upgraded Han flagship electric sedan starting in June. The Han EV expected to have a starting price of about $40,000 — similar to the cost of a Tesla Model 3 in China. It shares some of the same styling as well. Must Read: Community Standards Enforcement Report, May 2020 Edition But that’s just the beginning of the rollout of Huawei’s 5G into vehicles. Huawei has signed up about 18 different automakers to use HiCar. The company has been working with Audi. BYD also has a big tie-up with Toyota to make EVs. China and Japan are also collaborating on next-gen DC fast-charging standards. Other Chinese automakers, many of them producers of EVs, include Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Beijing Automotive Industry Holding, Chang’an Automobile, Chery Automobile Co., Dongfeng Motor, FAW Group, Great Wall Motors, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Nanjing Automobile, and SAIC Motor. The Han EV is equipped with BYD’s latest lithium iron phosphate batteries in multiple pack sizes, providing up to about 375 miles of range (in the NEDC test cycle). It travels to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. The BYD Han is available in single-motor and dual-motor configurations. The Han flagship model is also available as a plug-in hybrid. Among battery makers in China, BYD was ranked second with 10.76 GWh capacity, behind battery giant CATL. The company claims that its blade-shaped design increases space utilization by more than 50% compared to other pack layouts — and that it’s safer than competing designs. A conspiracy theorist could have a field day with Huawei’s incursion into cars. Huawei Technologies is the world’s largest telecommunications equipment supplier. (The Trump administration added the company to the US blacklist in its trade war with China.) According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has deployed nearly 200,000 5G base stations across the country. About 500,000 5G base stations are expected to be deployed nationwide by the end of this year. Installing hundreds of thousands of connected EV charging stations is part of the same Internet of Cars initiative. Huawei’s C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) system includes roadside units that connect traffic lights, cameras, and speed limit signs. Huawei has not expressed interest in making cars, but instead in becoming the central 5G communication systems for automobiles and the built environment. This could pave the way for ubiquitous smart autonomous driving systems. In January, Huawei signed up with Dutch Sat Nav provider TomTom to pull away from Google systems. Huawei is known to have developed extensive AI systems for autonomy and cloud-based communications, and integrating those systems into an automotive ecosystem. APIs can link camera data to core vehicle systems, including steering, as well as driver-monitoring systems. The robotaxi fleet from autonomous driving startup AutoX recently started operations in Shanghai, where the roads come equipped with C-V2X systems.
DigiSkills open Enrollments for Free online courses in Batch 7
It’s the time to utilize the quarantine time productively, as enrollments for batch 7 of Digiskills.pk opens on 24th April 2020! This is the best time to seize this opportunity to pick up new skills, and simply expand your knowledge from the comfort of your home. The courses are scheduled to commence from 27th May 2020 and training would be given for 3 months. DigiSkills open Enrollments for Free online courses in Batch 7 DigiSkills.pk is Pakistan’s largest online training program, developed and run through Ignite, under the ambit of Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom. Up till now more than 1 million training have been given already, with people starting to earn a decent living for themselves. The skills imparted by this program are the essential requirements to thrive in the digital world. According to a survey conducted by DigiSkills Team, it is estimated that the projected annual earning of all batches (1 to 7) by end of 2020 is going to be approximately $158 million. This not only benefits the individuals but also tremendously strengthens the foreign exchange reserve of Pakistan. Must Read: OPPO Rejoices Tradition with Sheheryar Munavar in Reno 3 Pro Ramadan Campaign The online courses offered under this program include Freelancing, E-Commerce Management, Digital Literacy, Digital Marketing, AutoCAD, WordPress, Creative Writing, QuickBooks, Graphic Design and Search Engine Optimization; all of which are completely free, and can be availed by anyone from anywhere. And the best part about this is that all courses are government certified and verifiable by issuing authority. Enrolling at Digiskills.pk is the most productive utilization of your time this year. So make the most of this opportunity to turn your life around. Go now at www.digiskills.pk and signup now!
WhatsApp launches Coronavirus Information Hub to support health initiatives
WhatsApp today announces the launch of two initiatives in support of the global fight against the Coronavirus pandemic: the global launch of the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the World Health Organization and UNDP as well as a $1m donation to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub launches today at whatsapp.com/coronavirus to provide simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate. The site also offers general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumors and connect with accurate health information. While people need to spend time apart, WhatsApp will continue to provide a simple, reliable, and secure way for people to communicate. These recommendations provide quick guidance on how small groups can make the most of WhatsApp features and will be distributed by UNDP to those coordinating local efforts. In addition, WhatsApp is working with UNICEF and WHO to provide messaging hotlines for people around the world to use directly.These hotlines will be listed on the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub. To date, WhatsApp has worked with a number of national health ministries and NGOs to provide factual information to users via text in countries including Singapore, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia. As these efforts continue, the hub will be updated with the latest resources. Must Read: NHSRC launches Messenger experience to aid locals in fight against Coronavirus WhatsApp’s $1m grant to the IFCN will support fact-checking for the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance, which spans more than 100 local organizations in at least 45 countries. Over the last year, WhatsApp has worked to bring over a dozen fact-checking organizations directly onto WhatsApp so they can crowdsource and report on rumors that may be circulating on various messaging services including WhatsApp or SMS. The grant will support training to use the advanced features within WhatsApp Business, including the WhatsApp Business API. Expanding the presence of these IFCN certified fact-checking organizations will help ensure local communities are aware and responding to potential harmful rumors. Comment from Will Cathcart, Head of WhatsApp: “We know that our users are reaching out on WhatsApp more than ever at this time of crisis, whether it’s to friends and loved ones, doctors to patients, or teachers to students. We wanted to provide a simple resource that can help connect people at this time. “We are also pleased to be able to partner with the Poynter Institute to help grow the amount of fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp and to support their life saving work to debunk rumors. We will also continue to work directly with health ministries around the world for them to provide updates right within WhatsApp.” Comment from BaybarsOrsek, Director of IFCN: “The timely donation from WhatsApp will help the fact-checks published by the CoronaVirusFacts Alliance to reach wider audiences and, in consequence, help people sort facts from fiction during this avalanche of information that WHO called an ‘infodemic’.” The International Fact-Checking Network also looks forward to discovering ways to understand the spread of health related hoaxes on WhatsApp in different formats and to make tools available for fact-checkers to detect and debunk misinformation one the messaging app. Comment from Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): “Getting up to date information about COVID-19 to local communities around the world is a critical piece of the international community’s efforts to stem the spread of the virus,” said Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “Partnerships with private sector companies like WhatsApp will help get this vital, real time information from the World Health Organization and local health officials to billions of users around the globe.”
How Digital Pakistan Initiative Can Affect Country’s E-commerce Sector
Pakistan’s government’s first-ever policy about e-commerce is about to be implemented. It will not just boost the economy of the county but it will also benefit the eCommerce sector of Pakistan. This new initiative will bring revenue and will digitize the whole concept of online shopping in Pakistan and cash on delivery. The cash on delivery payments will be replaced by online payments. This policy was introduced because of the success rate of eCommerce sales in the year 2017-2018 that was 20.7 billion to 40.3 billion PKR. This means it increased up to 93.7%. This policy is going to be doing so much good to the eCommerce sector for example: Empowering youth Digital Pakistan is going to empower youth and will help them move forward with their business ideas. Online shopping in Pakistan is already very popular amongst the youth of the country so this initiative will be boosted so much confidence in the young generation. They will move forward as more jobs will be created. Also, the well-known institutions will offer scholarships and will help youth to have their hold in the corporate industry. Fast internet accessibility With the vast change in internet users in the past year, Pakistan has moved miles forward with the largest digital audience in the world. The use of affordable android phones, growing internet connectivity, and online payment facilities have helped the country grow in the e-commerce world. 4G has made life so easy that you will not be without an internet connection at all. Which will help e-commerce to grow? Must Read: TCL launches limited edition TVs for PSL 2020 Improving the experience of online shopping in Pakistan Over time, the online shopping experience has improved drastically. Due to the tremendous transition in eCommerce, ecommerce giants such as Daraz, Zameen, Pakwheels, Foodpanda and even smaller ones such as Getnow, ishopping & Buyoye have learned to improvise through digital solutions. The online shopping pages have designed their websites pretty well. They have made it easy for everyone to understand and use the website easily. Ecommerce has not only improved its online engagement but has also upgraded its traffic. Rising middle class E-commerce has helped the middle class to rise. It has helped generate millions of new jobs which helps engage online users. Over the years Pakistan has been the prime mover in making the county’s business initiative to new heights. People who are mostly involved in online shopping in Pakistanare middle class so it is very helpful for the major population of the country to grow with the growth in the e-commerce sector. Lastly, as we see that youth adopts technology much easier, so Pakistan is growing with the IT sector, which has boosted the economy of the country so much, that it has reached another level. Moreover, the launch of 4G services helped people to improvise and set their goals according to the new upcoming challenges of eCommerce in the country.
Matrox introduces D series graphics cards with NVIDIA Quadro GPUs
Matrox Graphics is one of the oldest graphics card manufacturers that is still in business. He began making graphics cards in 1978, several years before ATI and 15 years before NVIDIA. While their in-house GPU development efforts were overhauled at the beginning of the century, the company continued to work as a card maker using third-party GPUs to create custom multi-monitor solutions. The company has used AMD GPUs for advice since 2014. The company signed a similar agreement with NVIDIA earlier this month. Matrox released its first NVIDIA-based graphics card this week. Matrox introduces D series graphics cards with NVIDIA Quadro GPUs The Matrox D series is a multimedia graphics card based on the integrated NVIDIA Quadro GPU and contains 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and four DisplayPort 1.4 (D1480) or four HDMI 2.0 (D1450) outputs. The D1450 supports four monitors with a maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 at 60 Hz, while the D1480 adapter supports four monitors with a resolution of 5120 x 3200 at 60 Hz. This card consumes 47 watts and only uses power supplied through the PCIe x16 slot. For video wall applications in aerospace, military, professional A / V, digital signage, security and industry, the four cards from the Matrox D series can be combined to form a system using a 16 board-to-board frame cable that shows computer usage. Additionally, the card can be extended with the QuadHead2Go controller from Matrox for multiple screens to supply up to 64 full HD screens from one computer. It is also possible to pair a D Series card with the acquisition of Matrox Mura IPX and an IP encoding / decoding card for applications that require this feature. Must Read: Ufone felicitates KPC’s New Leadership Matrox does not disclose which GPU to use for D series graphics cards, but claims that the “default” NVIDIA Quadro GPU is compatible with DirectX 12, OpenCL 1.2, and OpenGL 4.5, and refers to one of the latest NVIDIA architectures (eg B. Pascal, Turing ). The Matrox D1450 and D1480 graphics cards will be available around the second quarter. The exact price is unknown, but Matrox is expected to pay a premium fee for its special products. Source
Best Wireless Bluetooth speaker 2020 at any budget
The best wireless Bluetooth speaker you can buy right now is, An extraordinary Bluetooth wireless speaker must have piece of kit if you don’t already have in your broad media visual stockpile. They’re the most ideal approach to take your tunes with you to picnics, beaches and outdoor adventures, and the absolute best convenient speakers sound similarly on a par with practically any wired speaker that you’d purchase. In 2020, the best Bluetooth wireless speakers even accompany voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, serving as smart speakers that can be utilized to control your smart home devices. These hard-working models of Bluetooth wireless speakers are perfect for those of us who can’t manage the cost of another speaker for each event; and the best versatile speakers need to serenade us from the room to any other adventurous place. That’s the reason we’ve assembled this purchasing guide, which willassist you with finding the right Bluetooth wireless speaker for your needs (and within your budget). Our Top Picks The perfect Bluetooth speakers that you can buy: Sonos Move The perfect Bluetooth wireless speaker that you can buy easily for your home and all types of outdoor events. Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg) | Battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 | Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers | NFC: No | Aux-in: No | USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock). Must Read: Tekken prodigy Arslan Ash to defend his title at EVO Japan 2020 It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a by-product of its inconceivable sound, it’s costly because of its rich list of capabilities, and it tragically can’t be utilized as back channels for a home film set-up. However, in the event that you have the cash, it’s difficult to blame the Sonos Move with regards to chasing down the absolute best Bluetooth speaker on the planet. UE-Boom 3 The perfect speaker that could be used for travelling Weight: 1.2 pounds | Battery life: 15 hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | Frequency response: 90Hz-20kHz | Drivers: Two 1.75″ drivers and two 1.75″ x 3″ passive radiators | NFC: Yes | Aux-in: Yes, USB charging: Yes It’s both water and residue confirmation, and now has a one-contact blend button that lets you pull up your preferred playlists while never getting your smartphone. There are absolutely increasingly point by point speakers out there, however at a cost it is generally moderate to all, the UE Boom 3 hits quite a few notes for the third year in a row. JBL charge 4 The perfect Bluetooth wireless speakers that charges your phone Weight: 2.12 pounds | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | Frequency response: 60Hz – 20kHz | Drivers: Two 1.7″ drivers and two passive radiators | NFC: No | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | Aux-in: Yes | USB charging: Yes While the JBL Charge 4 just offers minor updates to the past age, it stays a brilliant incentive in remote speakers – and is outstanding amongst other waterproof speakers around. Bose home portable speaker An incredible Sonos Move electively Weight: 2.4 pounds | Battery life: 12 hours | Wireless range: N/A | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | NFC: No | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | Aux-in: No | USB charging: Yes it doesn’t exactly meet the sonic finesse of the Sonos Move, or the incentive for cash of the UE Boom 3 and JBL Charge 4 – however in the event that you love that Bose sound and construct quality, this is the speaker for you. How to pick out the best Bluetooth speaker There are so many new speakers on the market these days with great designs and the latest tech built-in that it can be tricky to figure out which one you need. Although it may seem like the choice is endless, there are plenty with unique selling points that’ll suit you. First up, some speakers are built with ultimate durability in mind, others are weather and waterproof for camping and tunes by the pool; however, some aren’t fit for the outdoors and would look pretty inside your home instead. If you’re having trouble figuring out which speaker might be best for you, start by picturing where you’re going to use it and find a speaker that matches that setting. That means if you’re a beach person, water and dust-proofing in your outdoor speaker are key. Or, if you’re a party person, you might want the ability to connect two speakers together or a speaker with multi-point pairing that allows multiple devices to connect at a time. Battery life, sound quality, and design are paramount for all speakers, and we’ve done our best to take these in the utmost consideration when creating our list. Written By: Rafay Awan
Gigabyte works by incooling for phase change cooling systems
Gigabyte has announced that it is working with Incooling to improve the cooling features of the lockable R161 server platform. The first goal for technology development and prototyping is the server market, where higher speeds can bring huge benefits – for example, applications for the high-frequency trading market. For this reason, Gigabyte and Incooling Server adapt to the R161 series, which previously relied on the Asetek Server LSL fluid circulation loop system to maintain overclocking and maximize performance. For various reasons, the new cooling technology seems to have changed a lot in terms of temperature and OC speed. Up to “20 ° C lower core temperature” “Incooling technology is able to bring data center temperatures far below traditional air temperatures, opening a new class of turbo servers,” the Gigabyte press release said. Must Read: RTX 2080 Nvidia Super appears in the Max-Q version for gaming laptop Internal testing of sophisticated two-phase cooling technology on the R161 server is claimed to offer the following benefits; “The core temperature is lower by 20 ° C, which increases the clock rate by 10 percent and at the same time reduces the total power consumption by 200 watts.” The following diagram shows the basics of the phase change cooling technology used here. The diagram shows an overview of special refrigerant flow that fills the system. This provides cooling when it changes from liquid to gas, after which the cooler is condensed back into liquid in the condenser, which is supported by one or more coolers / fans. Theoretically, the phase change system does not require a pump because the cooling / condensation cycle is driven by processor heat. However, you can see that the gigabyte circuit contains a pump, perhaps to ensure constant operation. Gigabyte and Incooling will further enhance this cooling system to achieve better performance with lower power consumption – an important balancing act for the server. In the future, gigabyte server systems such as multi-node servers from the H series for high-performance computing and G series servers for artificial intelligence will be tested with this changing phase of cooling technology. At Computex 2018, Case King / der8auer shows a phase switch without a pump that will “really be a product”, but has not yet been finished or shipped. At Computex 2016, Raijintek presents a “passive liquid cooler” with phase change fluid with a boiling point below 40 ° C – this product is also not available. Source
CES 2020: MedWand is a Star Trek Discovery
MedWand is what we see closest to Tricorder so far. The scanner combines a stethoscope, thermometer, electrocardiogram and others into a small handheld device. MedWand is a Star Trek Discovery. Star Trek fans don’t need to be told what Tricorder is. You will have a leader. There are many versions of science fiction films, including those that can diagnose disease and gather body information from patients. “Tri” is a reference to three functions: sensation, calculation and recording. A few years ago, Scannadu had big ambitions to develop such a device. The company has made a name for itself with Scout, a device that can measure heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Ultimately, medical startups cannot obtain FDA approval and can no longer ensure product support. This in turn causes many problems for customers who buy the device. Forward a few years and now we have MedWand. The Star Trek device has been around for a while, but the latest version will be demonstrated at CES 2020. Must Read: Samsung Announces the Awesome New Galaxy A51 The scanner measures the heart rate, takes an ECG, listens to the breathing rate of the lungs, measures oxygen levels in the blood, measures your temperature, listens to the stomach, looks into your nose / throat / mouth, looks at your ears and looks at your skin. That’s about 10 medical devices in a computer-sized device. The ultimate goal is to give doctors the ability to do long-distance exams, wherever they are. The current iteration of the device allows nearly 75% of what you would get if you went to the doctor normally. There are a number of MedWand repetitions. The highest specification is called MobileDoc. This is intended both for doctors and for the use of ships and aircraft throughout the world. This scanner was awarded two categories at CES 2020 – technology for a better world and health and health. If all goes well, MedWand will be available in the US for $ 399 by mid 2020. Not too long will come when you feel uncomfortable and have something similar on your computer. In this way, your doctor can check your living conditions without leaving your home. Source
“Artificial Intelligence can boost education efficiency, Jibran Jamshad, Microsoft Country Education Lead for Pakistan
The Middle East and Africa has reached a key chapter in its education story. Up until now, the conversation around education has revolved primarily around improving the standard of education across the region. But as digital transformation continues to sweep across the globe, there’s a unique window of opportunity to fast-forward to a completely revolutionised era of education.” These thoughts were expressed by Jibran Jamshad, Microsoft Country Education Lead for Pakistan. He further explained that for years, the general level of education across the region has been improving at a steady pace. “According to the World Bank, the average level of schooling in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) has quadrupled since 1960, with the rate of illiteracy having almost halved. At the same time, statistics tell us that the region has made significant strides when it comes to school enrollment. But despite this progress, the general standard of education across the region still varies significantly, with many countries yet to attain the level of learning to which they aspire”, he added. Must Read: Team Pakistan Debuts at Global Clean-Tech Business Idea Competition Research shows in many cases curriculums favour an approach to education based on rote learning, which means students are not always exposed to 21st century skills, such as working in teams, problem solving and innovation. Skill sets such as these are only going to become more important as automation begins to replace lower-skill jobs. Recent Microsoft research conducted in collaboration with McKinsey & Company’s Education Practice shows that by 2030, the fastest growing occupations will require higher-level cognitive skills in areas such as collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Already as many as 30 to 40 percent of jobs in growth industries require soft skills Though the need for social-emotional skills is clear, teachers don’t always feel adequately equipped to teach these skills. And to build crucial cognitive, social and emotional skills, educators need training, technologies and time. Technology can play a critical role in helping to overcome these challenges – AI, in particular, has significant potential to increase the efficiency of education, whether by freeing up educators’ time or helping them develop a more student-centred approach to learning. Microsoft’s research shows technology can free up as much as 30 percent of teachers’ time, making it easier for them to respond to individual and group needs. And the same study shows students who receive personalised instruction perform better than 98 percent of traditionally taught students. AI-enabled tools are also far more easily accessible than educators might realise. Those found in Microsoft Office 365, for example, are available in programmes such as Word, OneNote and PowerPoint, meaning they are free and easy to use. Immersive Reader, for example, helps students with learning differences such as Dyslexia build reading confidence. Students can use features like Line Focus, which reduces visual crowding and highlights text to improve readability. On the more sophisticated end of the spectrum, AI can provide educators with greater insight as to how students are progressing so they can adjust their approach, supporting students’ individual needs. Many schools have improved the academic interaction between students and educators through applications like OneNote and Teams. The tools not only promote better collaboration and productivity, but also enhanced interaction between the students and their teachers. The schools digital transformation has a strong impact on student performance, from day-to-day activities to official exams, completely transforming the entire learning journey. These technologies are particularly effective in breaking down the barriers in communication between students of different abilities. By drawing on AI, these tools can help ensure every student has a voice. Even simple AI-enabled features like those found in Office 365 can help tertiary-level students with their academic pursuits. PowerPoint Editor, for example, draws on machine learning and natural language processing, enabling students to proof read their content more effectively. The tool even provides helpful suggestions as to how students should refine their style of writing.
LG Electronics, Unity Technologies Collaborate On Autonomous Vehicle Simulation
Engineers at the LG Electronics America R&D Center in Silicon Valley are working with machine learning experts at Unity Technologies to develop advanced simulation software that will enable autonomous vehicle developers to accelerate system development for safer self-driving cars. The collaboration of LG SVL Simulator on Unity Simulation leverages LG’s AI leadership and expertise as a leading technology partner to the global automotive industry, combined with complementary skills of Unity Technologies, creator of the world’s leading real-time 3D development platform. Unity Simulation enables the running of multiple instances of a Unity product at scale, lowering the barrier to train, test or validate new products and services in a high-fidelity 3D environment. Computer-vision-oriented applications for the automotive industry are particularly compelling, according to Danny Lange, Unity Technologies vice president of AI and Machine Learning. Must Read: TECNO Launches CAMON 12 Air Exclusively On Daraz Seonman Kim, vice president of engineering in LG’s Advanced Platform Lab in Silicon Valley, emphasized the importance of the LG-Unity partnership. “Unity’s confidence in the LGSVL Simulator for the development of safe and robust autonomous driving is a clear indicator that this is a win-win partnership from the start,” he said. “We look forward to exploring with Unity new opportunities to bring our respective technologies to the automotive market.” The collaboration between the two companies in advanced simulation is expected to greatly benefit the automotive industry as it moves toward a self-driving future. Autonomous vehicle developers running the LGSVL Simulator on Unity Simulation will be able to dramatically accelerate the training of their systems by running multiple scenarios in parallel. With Unity’s latest advancements, the LGSVL Simulator can utilize digital twins of real-world environments with accurate sensor models to train autonomous vehicles across multiple scenarios. Training and validating an autonomous vehicle is a prime example of how a virtual environment can dramatically reduce the risk for both the car and those around it, allowing businesses to stress-test systems before they are put on the road. The LGSVL Simulator combines LG-developed technologies with Unity’s High-Definition Render Pipeline to enable testing and training for safer operation of autonomous vehicles.
Zong Steals the Show at ITCN Asia
Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading telecommunication operator, stole the show at the 19th ITCN Asia held in Karachi today. ITCN Asia is Pakistan largest IT and Telecom extravaganza and is being attended by over 800 local and international organizations. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication , Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Secretary IT, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, PTA Chairman Maj. Gen (Retd) Amir Azeem Bajwa among other Government dignitaries and high officials visited Zong 4G’s stall and appreciated Zong for being the first Pakistani operator to successfully test its 5G services. The high-profile delegation also lauded Zong’s innovative and cutting edge technology for Internet of Things (IoT), its highly diverse portfolio for its corporate customers its contribution to the digital ecosystem of Pakistan. Must Read: Ali Rehman Khan Joins TCF Ambassadors Program To Enable Education for All Speaking at the ITCN, Chairman and CEO Zong 4G Mr. Wang Hua said, “As a customer-centric organization, we always want to remain one step ahead in ensuring that we always supersede the trust and confidence that our customers have placed in Zong for their connectivity needs.5G is coming, and Zong will open unlimited possibilities for the future of digital Pakistan. Zong is committed to accelerate digital growth along the vision of Government of Pakistan and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority” Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also presented Chairman and CEO Zong Mr. Wang Hua the award for “Recognizing Zong for Digitalizing Pakistan”. This award is testament of Zong’s impact towards creating a digital Pakistan and further strengthens Zong 4G’s position as the number 1 Data network of the country. With over 13 Million 4G customers and more than 12000 4G towers, Zong 4G is Pakistan’s largest and widest 4G network. Zong’s stall at the ITCN provided customers with an immersive experience of its state-of-the-art technology. The stall saw a footprint of over 6,000 delegates visiting the ITCN over the last two days. The delegates thoroughly enjoyed the various engaging activities and experiences organized by Zong.
LG ELECTRONICS EXPANDS INVESTMENTS IN ROBOT INNOVATORS
LG Electronics’ recent investment in US-based Bossa Nova Robotics marks the first overseas investment in a robotics partner by LG following a number of deals with Korean startups over the past year. In total, LG has committed over USD 90 million to robotics startups in the first 12 months of its investment initiative. Bossa Nova Robotics is the leading provider of real-time, on-shelf product data for the global retail industry which helps run large-scale retail stores efficiently by automating collection and analysis of on-shelf inventory data. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has been testing Bossa Nova’s shelf-scanning robots in a number of stores since last year. The funding of Boss a Nova follows LG’s investments in four other Korea-based robotics companies: Acryl, SG ROBOTICS, Robotis and Robostar: Must Read: Xiaomi announces Redmi S2 and Redmi Note 5 in Pakistan Acryl Inc., founded by a team of academics from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), is a 7-year-old cognitive computing company providing the integrated artificial intelligence(AI) platform called “Jonathan” which can recognize human emotions and meanings from text, speech and image based on big data and deep learning to realize real-life AI. SG ROBOTICS is a start-up company that develops wearable robots to assist people with mobility challenges, including paraplegics and neuromuscular disease patients. The company was founded in 2017 to deliver “Robots For Better Life” and is working on commercializing a wearable robot for children. SG ROBOTICS’ Walk ON Suit won a bronze medal in the first Cybathlon in 2016 and was the first torch bearer at the Pyeong Chang 2018 Paralympics. Robotis specializes in robotic solutions and educational robots. It is recognized for its proprietary smart actuators used in multi-jointed robots and produces hardware such as controllers and sensor modules to robot programming software. Robostar is a manufacturer of industry robots. Its mission is to be a one-stop solution provider for companies involved in industries such as mobile, display, automobile and semiconductor. These investments complement LG’s own efforts to bring service robots to market in the very near futureto become a core growth engine for the company. LG has already deployed a numberofrobots in Koreafor trial service, with its Guide Robot and Cleaning Robot dispatched to assisttravelers at South Korea’s largest airport during the winter games in PyeongChang. Earlier this year at CES, LG introduced three newCLOi concept robots specifically developed for commercial use inhigh-trafficlocations such as hotels and supermarkets. LG’s CLOi robots are being developed in parallel to ThinQproducts, LG’s AI brand for consumer electronics and home appliances. “Robotics, as a key component of our ThinQ AI strategy, is a critical future growth opportunityfor LG,” said Kim Sungwook, vice president of the global open innovation division atLG Electronics. “LG is committed to expanding its robotics capabilities through investments in innovative partners as well as intense R and D efforts from within.”