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    6Apr, 2023
    NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter breaks world records, again

    NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has been flying on the red planet’s surface for over two years now, and it has covered a distance of over 11 kilometres in that time. While 11 kilometres in two years may not seem like much in Earth terms, Ingenuity is actually breaking world records on the Mars.

    Ingenuity’s 49th flight, which happened on Sunday, April 2, broke two different records–that for the highest altitude and the highest speed–achieved by any self-propelled aircraft outside of Earth. During its 49th flight, the little rotorcraft flew up to a height of 16 metres and reached a top speed of 23.4 kilometres per hour.

    The rotorcraft set its previous flight height record on the red planet on December 3, 2022, when it flew about 14 metres in the air. Its previous flight speed record of 19.8 kilometres per hour was achieved on three different occasions–December 10, June 11, and April 8.

    Its longest flight so far was its record-breaking 25th flight on April 8, 2022, when it covered a distance of a whopping 704 metres in what is still its longest flight and was its fastest flight until flight 49.

    What is Ingenuity?

    Ingenuity is a small solar-powered helicopter that landed on the Martian surface on February 18, 2021, along with the Perseverance Rover. On April 19, the same year, it created history by completing the first powered extraterrestrial flight in human history. During that flight, it hovered and landed and the same spot for a flight that lasted 39.1 seconds, creating history.

    Why are Ingenuity’s records so impressive?

    While these distances may seem small for us here living on Earth, do remember that Mars is more than 225 million kilometres away right now. The distance between the two planets means that it takes between 5 to 20 minutes for a signal to travel from one to another.

    Adding to this signal delay, Ingenuity also has to survive the harsh conditions on Mars. The low atmospheric density on the planet means that Ingenuity must work much harder than helicopters here on Earth in order to be able to fly. Also, it has had to survive “continent-sized” dust storms in the past and other Martian hazards in the past.

    Resource : https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-8539782/

    14Mar, 2023
    NASA To Measure Forest Health from Above

    In places across the U.S., tree cover is shrinking – forests are burned by wildfires on the West Coast and drowned by rising sea levels along the East. From the ground, it’s hard to assess the scale of the losses and the effects disappearing trees have on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate change.

    NASA research scientist Jon Ranson is working to improve new technologies for studying trees from above, so future Earth-observing missions can more accurately assess forest health.

    “Trees do a huge service for the planet, in terms of sequestering carbon dioxide, taking it out of the atmosphere and putting it into wood,” Ranson said, “but trees are very sensitive to our changing climate. We’re trying to see the changes going on in forest ecosystems. If you detect things early enough, you might be able to do something about it.”

    When measured from aircraft and satellites, the wavelengths of light reflected by plants tell scientists about the amount of photosynthesis occurring, and therefore how much atmospheric carbon dioxide trees take up and store. The current standard for studying vegetation is called NDVI, or Normalized Differential Vegetation Index, which is the average of two broad portions of the infrared spectrum. NASA’s NDVI record goes back 40 years, providing a low-resolution but accurate picture of forest health.

    While NDVI is good at assessing vegetation quantity and vigor broadly, Ranson said, breaking down infrared and visible light into many more wavelengths, a technology called hyperspectral imaging, can provide insight on plants’ water content, chlorophyll and even changes in health. 

    “Vegetation has these broad spectral properties,” said Ian Adams, Earth Sciences Division Technologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “With hyperspectral imaging, you get lots of different measurements at smaller, closer together frequencies. There is a lot more information we can pull out if we can get better spectral resolution.”

    By dramatically increasing the number of frequencies available for researchers to study, Ranson’s work serves the priorities of the National Academies of Science’s most recent Earth Science decadal survey, which determines the field’s long-term priorities. The survey lists “surface topography and vegetation,” including forests, as a key area of study in need of more advanced technology.

     “Strategically for NASA, and more broadly for the remote sensing community, hyperspectral is one of the areas we see as the future,” Adams said.

    To make use of hyperspectral imaging by future orbital missions, data analysis techniques are first proven closer to the ground.

    Ranson’s team fitted a Skyfish drone (UAV) from partner institution Virginia Tech with a visible and infrared (VIS/IR) hyperspectral camera and lidar equipment. They flew the imaging equipment over forests near Blacksburg, VA, in a region called Mountain Lake. Comparing their UAV observations with actual CO2 levels recorded by sensors on a nearby National Ecological Observatory Network tower, Ranson’s team was able to refine calculations about how much carbon the forest removed from the atmosphere.

    These comparisons allowed them to further refine techniques for interpreting the hyperspectral data. For instance, Plants stressed by too much sunlight may release pigments to shield their chloroplasts, a condition his sensors can detect. If plants get too much shade, they may grow leaves with larger surface-areas, which can cause the sensor to overestimate plant productivity. Ranson wants to add short-wave infrared sensors to better distinguish reflections from leaves and other parts of plants, eliminating another possible source of error.

    The view from space: Seeing the forest for the trees

    Ranson’s goal is to study forests on a global scale from space.

    “We’re trying to get the complete picture,” Ranson said. “So that when we go to space, we know how to find the answer to the question, ‘Are our forests healthy? And if not, why not?’”

    Scientists and engineers at Goddard have been developing a mission concept called Concurrent Artificially intelligent Spectrometry and Adaptive Lidar System, or CASALS. If selected, CASALS would send a satellite with lidar and hyperspectral cameras into space. A constellation of such satellites could take the frequent measurements necessary to assess changes in forest productivity over time, using models perfected by Ranson’s UAV flights.“Forests take up as much carbon as the ocean does, yet forests cover only 9 percent of Earth’s surface,” said Ranson. “So, if something goes wrong with our forests, it’s a dramatic issue. We’ve got this great, great resource in forests, and we need to care for them so they’ll care for us.”

    Resource : https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-measure-forest-health-from-above

    13Mar, 2023
    Girl With ‘AI Earrings’ in Dutch Museum Sparks Fierce Art Controversy Over Use of Artificial Intelligence

    At first glance it seems to be just a modern take on Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. But look more closely and things get a little strange.

    Firstly, there are two glowing earrings in the image hanging in the Mauritshuis museum in the Dutch city of The Hague. And aren’t those freckles on her face actually… a slightly inhuman shade of red?

    That’s because the work — one of several fan recreations replacing 1665 original while it’s on loan for a huge Vermeer show at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum — was made using artificial intelligence (AI).

    Its presence has sparked a fierce debate, with questions over whether it belongs in the hallowed halls of the Mauritshuis — and whether it should be classed as art at all.

    “It’s controversial, so people are for it or against it,” Mauritshuis press officer Boris de Munnick told AFP.

    “The people who selected this, they liked it, they knew that it was AI, but we liked the creation. So we chose it, and we hung it.”

    – ‘Incredible insult’ –

    Berlin-based digital creator Julian van Dieken submitted the image after Mauritshuis asked people to send in their versions of the famous painting for an installation called “My Girl with a Pearl”.

    Van Dieken said he had used the AI tool Midjourney — which can generate complex pictures on the basis of a prompt, using millions of images from the internet — and Photoshop.

    The Mauritshuis then chose it as one of five images out of 3,482 submitted by fans that would be printed and physically hung in the room where “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is normally housed.

    “It’s surreal to see it in a museum,” van Dieken wrote on Instagram.

    The budding artists ranged in age from three to 94, depicting the “Girl” in diverse styles ranging from a puppet to a dinosaur and a piece of fruit. 

    But the decision to choose an AI-generated image sparked a backlash.

    One artist said on the Instagram feed for the Mauritshuis exhibition that it was a “shame and an incredible insult”, and dozens of others piled in.

    A common complaint was that AI tools can breach the copyright of other artists by using their works as the base for artificially generated images.

    Artist Eva Toorenent, of the European Guild for Artificial Intelligence Regulation, criticised what she called “unethical technology”.

    “Without the work of human artists, this program could not generate works at all,” she was quoted as saying by the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant.

    – ‘What is art?’ –

    “It’s such a difficult question — what is art, and what is not art?” said the Mauritshuis’s de Munnick.

    But he insisted that the museum, whose collection boasts three Vermeers and nearly a dozen Rembrandts, had not deliberately set out to make an artistic statement on AI.

    “Our opinion is, we think it’s a nice picture, we think it’s a creative process,” he said. “We’re not the museum to discuss if AI belongs in an art museum.”

    He admitted though that “up close, you see that the freckles are a little spooky.”

    Visitors to the Mauritshuis were equally divided, he added.

    “Younger people tend to say, it’s artificial intelligence, what’s new. Elderly people sometimes say we like the more traditional paintings.”

    The Mauritshuis were looking forward to the return of the real “Girl” in April, he added. The painting’s fame has increased in recent years due to a 1999 novel by US author Tracy Chevalier and an ensuing Hollywood film.

    “Well, she is beautiful in the (Rijksmuseum) exhibition… But we will be very happy when she is at home.”

    Resource : https://www.gadgets360.com/internet/news/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-ai-recreation-julian-van-dieken-criticism-mauritshuis-exhibit-johannes-vermeer-3850111

    18Feb, 2023
    GitHub Copilot update stops AI model from revealing secrets

    GitHub has updated the AI model of Copilot, a programming assistant that generates real-time source code and function recommendations in Visual Studio, and says it’s now safer and more powerful.

    The company says the new AI model, which will be rolled out to users this week, offers better quality suggestions in a shorter time, further improving the efficiency of software developers using it by increasing the acceptance rate.

    Copilot will introduce a new paradigm called “Fill-In-the-Middle,” which uses a library of known code suffixes and leaves a gap for the AI tool to fill, achieving better relevance and coherence with the rest of the project’s code.

    Additionally, GitHub has updated the client of Copilot to reduce unwanted suggestions by 4.5% for improved overall code acceptance rates.

    “When we first launched GitHub Copilot for Individuals in June 2022, more than 27% of developers’ code files on average were generated by GitHub Copilot,” Senior Director of Product Management Shuyin Zhao said.

    “Today, GitHub Copilot is behind an average of 46% of a developers’ code across all programming languages—and in Java, that number jumps to 61%.”

    More secure suggestions

    One of the highlight improvements in this Copilot update is the introduction of a new security vulnerability filtering system that will help identify and block insecure suggestions such as hardcoded credentials, path injections, and SQL injections.

    “The new system leverages LLMs (large language models) to approximate the behavior of static analysis tools—and since GitHub Copilot runs advanced AI models on powerful compute resources, it’s incredibly fast and can even detect vulnerable patterns in incomplete fragments of code,” Zhao said.

    “This means insecure coding patterns are quickly blocked and replaced by alternative suggestions.”

    The software company says Copilot may generate secrets like keys, credentials, and passwords seen in the training data on novel strings. However, these aren’t usable as they’re entirely fictitious and will be blocked by the new filtering system.

    The appearance of these secrets in Copilot’s code suggestions has caused fierce criticism from the software developing community, with many accusing Microsoft of using large sets of publicly available data to train its AI models with little regard to security, even including sets that mistakenly contain secrets.

    By blocking unsafe suggestions in the editor in real-time, GitHub might also provide some resistance against poisoned dataset attacks aiming to covertly train AI assistants to make suggestions containing malicious payloads.

    At this time, Copilot’s LLMs are still being trained to distinguish between vulnerable and non-vulnerable code patterns, so the AI model’s performance on that front is expected to improve gradually in the near future.

    Resource : https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/github-copilot-update-stops-ai-model-from-revealing-secrets/

    30Jan, 2023
    Top 5 technology trends to watch out in 2023

    With technology being a great leveler, the world has become flat and offers equal opportunities to all. Whether you are someone born in the Bay area or a remote village in Africa, your opportunity to create an impact and to make a difference in the world is the same. 

    In India, for instance, the government is adopting technology readily with initiatives like JAM (Jan Dhan-Adhaar-Mobile) trinity and offering a level playing field to all its citizens. Close to 47% of India’s GDP gets transacted on this platform and my recent interaction with a local tea seller showcases how this tech adoption is making a difference at the grassroots.  

    I curiously asked this young man from Kerala who operates his tea shop single-handedly, the reason to adopt UPI payments. He explained how it saves his time in giving change to customers after each transaction and that now he doesn’t need to go to the bank to deposit cash.

    On the other hand, the bank to which his UPI transactions are linked now knows that this young man is generating INR 30,000/- per working day. Therefore, their risk profiling AI software is now able to analyze this data and recommend him a loan for his business expansion with better certainty of loan repayment. This was not possible 3 years ago. This is the beauty of what is happening around us!

    In the past few years, India has undergone significant economic expansion, with the adoption of new technology such as AI, Robotics, IoT, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Big data. In this article, I would like to discuss few technology trends that are gaining significant mindshare and will continue to do so in 2023.

    Web 3.0: Web 1.0 was “Read-Only”, Web 2.0 is “Read-Write”, and you can imagine Web 3.0 as “Read-Write and Execute”.  This is the next level of internet where the internet will be more interactive and immersive and will be led by user generated content and interaction. For example, to imagine next level of AI in Web 3.0 – AI would be used for natural language processing, to recognize your emotions and facial expressions to render relevant content. This means, when you frown while watching an Instagram reel, it automatically moves to the next genre when you swipe up. This space would therefore be great for enterprises to present relevant content to their users. 

    The way we consume gaming and financial instruments, “DeFi” (Decentralized Finance) will also change big time. Several Web 3.0 apps are gaining popularity and are worth mentioning. For example, “Brave” browser that allows one to block all ads and evade trackers while rewarding good content through “BAT” (Basic Attention Token), it could change the way people look at digital ads. Also, the widespread use of “NFT” (Non-Fungible Token) will help the content creators’ music, video and photo content get better recognition and revenue for their work by ensuring traceable ownership and minimizing the middlemen in between.

    Cybersecurity: The travel and tourism industry is embracing emerging technologies to redefine products, services, and consumer experiences, but doing so makes their cyber ecosystems more exposed to security risks as these technologies handle massive volume of financial transactions and priceless customer data. Travel firms are, therefore, a prime target for cyber-crime. Ransomware and phishing attacks are two of the major concerns in this sector. Due to the current dependence on data, organizations are also at risk from human mistakes brought on by their own staff. To keep the data secure, organizations must invest in cybersecurity as well as a variety of hardware and software solutions. It is evident that a step change is needed, and a more comprehensive, business-driven, and risk-based approach to building cybersecurity capability is going to be the norm in the coming years.

    Metaverse: Metaverse travel has the potential to dramatically revolutionize how people engage with the travel industry, imagine digitally touring a hotel from the comfort of your home on the other side of the world. By creating three-dimensional replicas of real locations, metaverse travel will create new experiences and new possibilities for people to choose hotels and activities. In 2023, metaverse will emerge as a grand concept, that will be based on a single interconnected ecosystem, like the internet. Soon, autonomous metaverse platforms with different economies and the capacity to transport assets and things between worlds may become possible. There has been a lot of conversations around the governance, so things are going to get tricky, as there would be no single controller. There will be a shift in viewpoint, and it will inevitably give rise to new travel patterns and an increasing demand for virtual reality and metaverse travel services. As several companies continue to compete for this space, the future is surely going to look very different, especially with the possibility of creating multiple identities in the metaverse.

    Cloud:  In recent years, the travel sector has seen an increasing interest in cloud computing investments. However, there are still several issues that are delaying the rate of cloud adoption. But as client expectations rise and the travel sector’s technological environment becomes more dynamic, a lot of travel organizations have come to understand the benefits of cloud computing. In the travel tech industry, we deal with a lot of personal data. Through growing computational power and capacity of the cloud, data storage becomes simpler thereby enabling us to provide personalized travel experiences.

    Wearables and IoT: The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most significant and potent emerging technology topics that must be understood and explored by individuals and businesses. According to me, this is merely the tip of the iceberg, as we will see additional wearables with cutting-edge capabilities soon. For instance, non-intrusive wearables for HbA1C monitoring are very close to reality, which would benefit diabetic patients around the globe to monitor and act in real-time. IoT devices are also bringing transformation in many industries, including agriculture. Now there are devices that can tell a farmer the exact amount of water needed per square inch of the farming land. These devices make it possible to identify the crops infested by pests and then, separately treat only the affected yield, instead of the entire crop. Such devices are not only feature-rich but are also the primary driving force behind the Internet of Things.

    Many of the bigger cross-industry breakthroughs were anticipated in the upcoming year and beyond are likely to be built on the patterns indicated above. Furthermore, it is gaining ground and is probably going to be precursors to the technology that will define the overall course of human technology.

    Resource : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/top-5-technology-trends-to-watch-out-in-2023/

    27Jan, 2023
    What are the Common Pain Points of Python Programming?

    The common pain points of Python programming language can be overwhelming at times

    Both desktop and web-based apps may be created using the programming language Python. It is a general-purpose, high-level, open-source programming language that is mostly used for data analysis, artificial intelligence, and backend web development. Although it is one of the most approachable and simple languages to learn, those studying it for the first time may encounter certain difficulties.

    Beginners sometimes run across minor obstacles when using Python, which gives them the impression that the language is difficult. The typical problems with Python that new users typically run across are:

    Setting up

    It’s challenging to decide between pip and pipenv were given the abundance of package managers. Understanding the benefits of using virtualenv.

    Indentation

    You could find it completely absurd to have stringent indentation restrictions in a language’s grammar if you’re coming from C/C++ or Java. But with time, you’ll begin to value it in a long term.

    Pythonic Way

    If you’re used to writing code in C/C++, particularly loops, you can encounter a lot of resistance from Python programmers.

     Difficult to Master

    Don’t be deceived by Python’s easy syntax; you will always learn something new. Easy to learn, difficult to master.

    Python is one of the most solid and powerful programming languages, yet it is also quite “simple to learn.” The majority of developers and companies now use Python as their main language. We intend to assist developers like you in resolving all the significant Python issues that they encounter.

    Resource: https://www.analyticsinsight.net/what-are-the-common-pain-points-of-python-programming/

    12Jan, 2023
    Tech in 2023: 6 new priorities for your shortlist

    Tech executives expect their technology budgets to rise during the next year, according to predictions from analysts and other surveys, despite the economic headwinds. ZDNET spoke to tech executives and industry insiders to find out, as spending continuing to rise, where digital leaders are looking to prioritize their investments in 2023.

    1. Using the cloud as a foundation for machine learning

    Barry Panayi, chief data and insight officer at John Lewis Partnership, believes the big trend next year in most traditional businesses is going to be about getting the most from the cloud.

    “It’s a 10-year-old conversation. Until now, many people have treated the cloud like a huge hard drive, but it gives you huge capabilities,” he says.

    Panayi says one example is how companies can create significant value by using cloud-stored data as a foundation for MLOps, which aims to make machine-learning workflows across an organisation more effective.

    “Proper, automated MLOps – certainly in retail and fast-moving consumer goods – can be a game changer, especially as people are shopping more online. We’re famous for our John Lewis shops, but the shift online has been so big that having everything relating to data moving in near or real time is big deal for us.”

    2. Get ready for the metaverse

    Lisa Heneghan, global chief digital officer at consultant KPMG, recognises that the metaverse is overhyped. However, she also believes business leaders will need to start getting to grips with this fast-moving area of tech in 2023.

    “In some ways, I hate saying the metaverse will be the next big trend, and I don’t think the metaverse and Web 3.0 is going to come to life in the next year. But I do think we need to change the way we’re thinking, so that we’re understanding how the world will change during the next five years.”

    Heneghan says she looks at the way younger people are already comfortable with increasingly immersive experiences and suggests companies must get to grips with the metaverse now – something many failed to do in the past with other big trends.

    “I remember when cloud came and everybody was asking: ‘What’s cloud?’ We can’t take as long as it took to get things going with the cloud. With the metaverse, we have to get our act together. We have to understand it and start to test and see how that technology might make a difference to us.”

    3. Ensuring data is reliable and explainable

    David Charnley, head of transformation and strategy at NatWest, points to a range of key data-led concerns, such as open banking, artificial intelligence and regulation: “All of those are important trends and activities that we need to keep a really close eye on.”

    Charnley says another key issue is demand for talent, particularly when companies like his are trying to grow their data practices: “I think the trend that we’re seeing is scarcity in the labour market for data professionals and I see that only getting tighter. I think that’s a feature of the UK market, the market in India, and elsewhere too.”

    As his bank continues to look to do exciting things with the information it holds, Charnley says it’s also important to keep an eye on data ethics and potential bias. He recognises machine-learning models can have unintended bias – and dealing with those challenges will be a big priority for 2023.

    “Getting to a place where we’re able to explain and monitor models to ensure that there isn’t a drift or bias in the way that we do business is a part of delivering great data propositions. And that’s something that we are really investing time and effort in right now at NatWest.”

    4. Getting the most out of the cloud

    Bev White, CEO at recruiter Nash Squared, is another expert who says the big priority for most digital chiefs is going to be getting the most from their investments in the cloud.

    “There’s no doubt about it,” she says. “Talk to any tech leader and it’s the first or second thing they talk about. Every time, this is where they’re putting their big investments – and they’ll be continuing to do so for the next few years.”

    White says this investment in cloud will be supported by a commitment to cybersecurity investments.

    “The more exposed we make our businesses online, the more risk we carry,” she says. “And while we hear every week about lots of examples of cybercrime and ransomware and all these other things that are going on, I’m sure we don’t hear a lot about many of the attacks. So, we’re expecting the requirement to invest more in cyber to continue.”

    5. Dealing with cybersecurity concerns

    A strong focus on proactive and preventative cyber measures is something that chimes with Andy Pocock, IT director at TrustFord, who says his priority is simple: keeping data safe and secure.

    “I think the big trend will be security and addressing that concern. It’s certainly the focus for me. To just ensure that I’ve got the capabilities and the protections in place to protect my company’s data and my customers’ data,” he says.

    “You’ve only got to go and read the National Cyber Strategy and you’ve only got to listen to the National Cyber Security Centre. The cyber threat is ever-evolving, and it’s going to get bigger.”

    6. Using the IoT to take control

    Ed Higgs, group director of IT shared services at pest control specialist Rentokil Initial, says his organisation will be looking to make more of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the data from connected devices.

    His company uses IoT-connected traps to spot signs of infestation automatically, which allows the business to take prompt preventative action before the problem worsens.

    “We’ve got millions of connected devices out there. For us, it’s going to be more IoT, much more control over that endpoint, and much more functionality connected to that endpoint,” says Higgs.

    “We’ve moved from just having a SIM card within a device, which sends an SMS, to adding a camera to the device, so that when it sends an SMS, it can also send the details of what it is that they’ve caught. So the management, security and compliance around those endpoint devices is going to be big for us.”

    Resource : https://www.zdnet.com/article/tech-in-2023-6-new-priorities-for-your-shortlist/

    20Oct, 2022
    What Is the Future of Tech: 23 Technologies by 2022

    What Is the Future of Tech: 23 Technologies by 2022

    1. Security Cross-Cutting Issues
      The growth of large data repositories and emergence of data analytics have combined with intrusions by bad actors, governments, and corporations to open a Pandora’s box of issues. How can we balance security and privacy in this environment?
    2. Open Intellectual Property Movement
      From open source software and standards to open-access publishing, the open IP movement is upon us. What are the implications?
    3. Sustainability
      Can electronic cars, LED lighting, new types of batteries and chips, and increasing use of renewables combat rising energy use and an explosion in the uptake of computing?
    4. Massively Online Open Courses
      MOOCs have the potential to transform the higher-education landscape, siphoning students from traditional universities and altering faculty and student roles. How significant will their impact be?
    5. Quantum Computing
      Constrained only by the laws of physics, quantum computing will potential extend Moore’s Law into the next decade. As commercial quantum computing comes within reach, new breakthroughs are occurring at an accelerating pace.
    6. Device and Nanotechnology
      It is clear that MEMS devices, nanoparticles, and their use in applications are here to stay. Nanotechnology has already been useful in manufacturing sunscreen, tires, and medical devices that can be swallowed.
    7. 3D Integrated Circuits
      The transition from printed circuit boards to 3D-ICs is already underway in the mobile arena, and will eventually spread across the entire spectrum of IT products.
    8. Universal Memory
      Universal memory replacements for DRAM will cause a tectonic shift in architectures and software.
    9. Multicore
      By 2022, multicore will be everywhere, from wearable systems and smartphones to cameras, games, automobiles, cloud servers, and exa-scale supercomputers.
    10. Photonics
      Silicon photonics will be a fundamental technology to address the bandwidth, latency, and energy challenges in the fabric of high-end systems.
    11. Networking and Interconnectivity
      Developments at all levels of the network stack will continue to drive research and the Internet economy.
    12. Software-Defined Networks
      OpenFlow and SDN will make networks more secure, transparent, flexible, and functional.
    13. High-Performance Computing
      While some governments are focused on reaching exascale, some researchers are intent on moving HPC to the cloud.
    14. Cloud Computing
      By 2022, cloud will be more entrenched and more computing workloads run on the cloud.
    15. The Internet of Things
      From clothes that monitor our movements to smart homes and cities, the Internet of Things knows no bounds, except for our concerns about ensuring privacy amid such convenience.
    16. Natural User Interfaces
      The long-held dreams of computers that can interface with us through touch, gesture, and speech are finally coming true, with more radical interfaces on the horizon.
    17. 3D Printing
      3D printing promises a revolution in fabrication, with many opportunities to produce designs that would have been prohibitively expensive.
    18. Big Data and Analytics
      The growing availability of data and demand for its insights holds great potential to improve many data-driven decisions.
    19. Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems
      Machine learning plays an increasingly important role in our lives, whether it’s ranking search results, recommending products, or building better models of the environment.
    20. Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
      Unlocking information in pictures and videos has had a major impact on consumers and more significant advances are in the pipeline.
    21. Life Sciences
      Technology has been pivotal in improving human and animal health and addressing threats to the environment.
    22. Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
      Vast amounts of data are enabling the improvement of human health and unraveling of the mysteries of life.
    23. Medical Robotics
      From autonomous delivery of hospital supplies to telemedicine and advanced prostheses, medical robotics has led to many life-saving innovations.

    Resouce : https://www.computer.org/publications/tech-news/trends/2022-report

    13Sep, 2022
    Microsoft Teams Messages Not Sending? Try these 9 Fixes

    Are you getting the “Failed to send” error message every time you send a message in teams?  Or do you notice the “You can’t send a message because you are not a member of the chat” error?

    Such error messages most likely appear when there’s a bug on your device or the application. Similarly, slow internet connectivity can also be why the messages are not being sent. So, firstly check if you have a stable internet connection before we get into this article. 

    Table of Contents

    Why is Microsoft Teams Message Not Sending?

    Let’s look through the list of problems that can cause your MS Teams message to not send before jumping to the fixes. 

    • Connectivity issues
    • Too many apps running in the background
    • Outdated version of MS Teams application
    • Firewall security
    • Corrupted Cache Files
    • Outdated Operating System
    • MS Teams under maintenance

    Sometimes, the channel owner might not allow selective members to send a message in the channel. If you think selecting these members was an error, you can request the owner directly. 

    How to Fix Microsoft Teams Messages Not Sending?

    Restarting your device is always the best troubleshooting option to start. It tends to clear all the data from RAM and make your device perform much smoother. Glitches like not sending messages are common for big platforms such as Microsoft Teams. When this happens, we suggest you use the web version if you’re using the desktop/mobile app version. Following these methods should fix your issue. 

    Force Quit Microsoft Teams App 

    When your Teams app isn’t responding properly or showing glitches like a message not sending, we suggest you force quit the application. It shuts down the application and helps it function properly when reopened. 

    On Windows

    1. Place your cursor on the Taskbar and right-click it.
    2. Select the Task Manager option.
    3. Right-click on Microsoft Teams and press the End Task option. 
      end-taskbar-for-teams

    On Mac

    1. Click on the Apple Menu and open Force Quit.
    2. Search for the Microsoft Teams application, select it and click the Force Quit button.
      force-quit-teams

    On Android

    1. Long press on Microsoft Teams app on the homepage.
    2. Press the App Info and tap on the Force Stop button.
      force-stop-teams
    3. Tap Force Stop on the confirmation box too.

    Check For Updates

    If you’re using outdated versions of Teams, such errors may appear on your application. If that’s the case, updating the teams app by going to the respective store you got it from should fix this issue. 

    On PC

    Even though applications on the desktop get updated automatically, it is advised for you to check if any updates are available within the application.

    1. Open Microsoft Teams.
    2. Tap on Three Dots and click on Check for updates option.
      check-for-updates

    On Phone

    1. Go to the App Store/Play Store.
    2. Search for Microsoft Teams on the search bar.
    3. Tap on the Update button beside it.
      update-teams

    Similarly, you may also update the operating system of your device. Glitches like this are common when the app and your system aren’t updated.

    Re-Login

    When you log out and log back in, the glitches you were facing are likely to get solved. Here’s how you can log yourself out and log back in.

    On PC

    This is applicable for both application and web versions. 

    1. Launch Microsoft Teams.
    2. Tap on your Profile on the top right.
    3. Click on the Sign Out option.
      sign-out-of-teams
    4. Open Teams again and sign in with your login credentials. 

    On Phone

    1. Open Teams and tap on your Profile on the top left.
    2. Select the Settings option.
      settings-option
    3. Scroll down and tap Sign out.
    4. Select the Sign out option on the confirmation box.
      sign-out
    5. Similarly, sign in again with your login credentials. 

    Contact Channel Owner

    If you receive the “you can’t send a message because you are not a member of the chat” error while sending a message, you might not be allowed to send a message to that specific channel. 

    Only owners can make changes to the chat. When this happens, you can send them a message regarding this issue personally in a direct message. Address your situation, and they might make sending texts on that channel possible. 

    If you are the channel owner, here’s what you can do. You can only perform this for the desktop versions of Teams.

    1. Open Microsoft Teams and go to the Channel.
    2. Click on the Three dots on the left side beside the channel name.
    3. Select the Manage channel option. 
      manage-channels
    4. Under General Channel, on the Permission tab, select “Anyone can post messages.”
      anyone-can-post-message

    Clear Teams Cache Data

    Clearing Microsoft Teams cache data helps to solve glitches like not being able to send messages. This is because such data tends to take up a large amount of storage on your device. The data may turn corrupt, which can cause connectivity issues as well as the message not sending problem. 

    On Windows

    1. Click on the Search button on the taskbar and search for Run.
    2. Click Open and type %Appdata%\Microsoft\Teams on the search bar. 
    3. Click on the OK button.
      run-command-teams
    4. Select all the Cache Folders while holding down the Ctrl key.
      cache-files-teams
    5. Right-click it and select the Delete option on the menu. 

    On Browser

    1. Open your web browser and click on the Three Dots.
    2. Select the More tools option.
    3. Click on the Clear browsing data option. 
      clear-browsing-data
    4. Select Cookies and other site data, Cached images, and files, and click the Clear data button.
      clear-web-browser-data

    On Android

    1. Go to Settings.
    2. Select Apps option and search for Teams.
    3. Tap on storage and press Clear Cache.
      clear-cache-teams

    On Mac

    1. Open Finder and click on Go to Folder under the Go menu.
    2. Type ~/Library/Application Support on the search bar and press Go.
    3. Search for Microsoft Teams and open it.
    4. Select all the Cache Folders and press Command + Option + Delete keys.
    5. Click on the Delete button when the confirmation box appears. 
      delete-teams-cache-on-a-mac

    Type Instead of Using Dictation 

    Many iOS users seem to have an issue with dictation. The text appears to disappear even after hitting the Send button when users use dictation to send messages. This is a bug in the Teams app itself. In such cases, you could try typing instead of using spoken text. You may also try using the web version if there’s a rush. If this doesn’t work, follow the next step.

    Reinstall Teams App

    When you remove an app from your device, all the related files will get deleted from the computer’s hard drive. Similarly, when you install them back, all the files will get downloaded as new and fresh ones. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app might fix your messages not sending issues. 

    On Windows

    1. Click on the Start button and go to Settings.
    2. Click on Apps.
      apps
    3. Under Apps & Features and navigate to Microsoft Teams.
    4. Right-click on it and press the Uninstall button.
    5. Again, click the Uninstall button and select OK.
      uninstall-teams
    6. Now, go to Microsoft Store and install the App the same way you got it before.

    On Mac

    1. Click on Go and select Applications.
    2. Search for Microsoft Teams on the search bar.
    3. Right-click it, and press the Move to Trash option.
      move-to-trash
    4. Select the Delete option on the confirmation box. 
    5. Now, go to AppStore and install the App the same way you got it before.

    On Phone

    1. Long press on the Teams app on your homepage.
    2. Press the Uninstall / Delete App option.
      delete-teams-app
    3. Go to AppStore/Play Store and install it again.

    Allow Apps to Communicate Through Firewall

    A firewall is a security system between unauthorized network traffic and your computer. Turning this on prevents your device from viruses and threats. However, it might also prevent you from interacting with servers. The permission to allow apps to communicate through the firewall should be granted after installation. If it’s not permitted yet, here’s how you can do it.

    On Windows

    1. Click on the Search bar and search for “Allow an app through Windows Firewall.”
    2. Click the Open tab.
    3. Scroll down and select Teams.exe. 
    4. Press the Change Settings option and click Remove.
      remove-teams-exe
    5. Click on the Yes option in the confirmation box.
    6. Then, click on Allow another app right below it.
    7. Click on the Browse option and search
      C:\Users\[your device name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Teams\current
    8. Click on the Open button.
    9. Press the Add option and click on OK.
      add-an-app-option

    On Mac

    1. Go to the Apple menu and click on System Preferences.
    2. Click on Security & Privacy and open the Firewall tab.
    3. Click on the Lock icon on the bottom to enable making changes.
      lock-icon
    4. Type in your Username and Password to unlock the Security & Privacy preferences.
    5. Press the Unlock button and turn on the firewall by pressing the Turn On Firewall option beside it.
      turn-on-firewall-on-a-mac
    6. Then, click on Firewall Options.
    7. Press the Plus icon and search for Microsoft Teams under the Application tab.
      add-microsoft-teams
    8. Select it and click on the OK button.

    Troubleshoot the Internet Connection

    If you aren’t connected to the internet or don’t have a stable internet connection, messages won’t get sent. So, check your internet connectivity and make sure you have access to high-speed internet. 

    Firstly, reconnect your Wi-Fi or cellular data. You can also try replugging the cables of your router if the connectivity issue isn’t just on your device. 

    Alternatively, use an ethernet cable to connect your device directly to the router. Finally, you can contact your service provider and ask for professional help if no solutions work. 

    Resource : https://www.technewstoday.com/fix-teams-messages-not-sending/

    25Jul, 2022
    Tech News – Why Is It Called Roku?

    Roku is a name that has become so common to see that you probably don’t think much about where it came from. Roku devices can be found in millions of households, but what does “Roku” actually mean? Is it anything?

    The Origins of Roku

    Roku Inc. was founded all the way back in 2002 by Anthony Wood. Prior to Roku, Wood had founded Replay TV, a DVR company that attempted to compete with TiVo. After selling Replay TV, Wood started working at Netflix.

    In 2007, Wood became a VP at Netflix and worked on the “Netflix Player.” The idea was to create a device to allow people to stream Netflix on their TVs. However, CEO Reed Hastings decided to drop the project. The “Netflix Player” was then taken over by Roku.

    The first Roku was released in 2008. It was still developed in collaboration with Netflix. The original Roku device had support for Channels (apps) just like modern versions. You still had to use Netflix on a computer to add things to your “Instant Queue” to watch on the Roku.

    Since then, Roku has released new models nearly every year. The original  set-top box form factor has continued to be the company’s “flagship” product. It’s now joined by Roku Streaming Sticks, a soundbar, and TVs with Roku software built-in.

    As of January 2022, Roku has over 60 million active users. Roku is largely credited with popularizing the idea of a streaming device connected to your TV. It’s a very popular device category nowadays.

    What Does “Roku” Mean?

    So how about that name? “Roku” may sound like a typical Silicon Valley-sequel made up company name, but it actually has some real meaning.

    Roku (六) means “six” in the Japanese language. Wood chose the name as it was the sixth company he started. There’s not a lot of information about the previous five companies he founded.

    Wood also started the aforementioned ReplayTV, a mobile app developing company named iband, and a software development company named AW Software. Wood’s pre-Roku ventures were not as successful as the streaming media giant that Roku has become.

    That’s all there is to it. Roku was founder Anthony Wood’s sixth company, and Roku means “six” in Japanese. Now there are many devices bearing this name to choose from.