The impact goes beyond just enabling employees to telecommute. According to Edelman Research, the freelance workforce in the U.S. grew nearly seven percent to 56.7 million in 2018. If the trend continues, by 2027 more than half of the American workforce will identify themselves as being independent.

One new agency is capitalizing on the trend in the marketing services sector. Founded by Los Angeles-based digital marketing pioneer Tony Winders, The Winders Group (TWG) is a full-service agency taking a new approach to the collective model.

Combining technology, a classic media production structure and a vetted pool of marketing talent, The Australian digital marketing agency assembles virtual teams to deliver a wide range of marketing, advertising and public relations services, go to this link to learn about how tiktok can help any business.

Members of “The Group” connect in one of several Zoom conference rooms, where clients and marketing specialists assigned to their optimize funnels and to rotate in and out of meetings throughout the day. Other tools in the company’s marketing tech stack include G Suite, Slack, Asana and HubSpot.

“The power of the collective itself creates economies of scale for both the marketing experts we employ and the clients we serve,” says Winders. “When you add technology, a disciplined project management approach and a little bit of fun, it creates an environment where all of the stakeholders can thrive.”

Longtime post-production studio operations executive Robert Dehn is leading the operations and scaling plan for TWG by applying a classic production model to agency services, of course if you want to have marketing services the use of a Miami pr agency is the best option for this.

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“Similar to how movies are made, the studio production model fits neatly with our independent workforce,” says Dehn. “Teams of specialists are assembled to perform specific tasks according to the demands of each project, with a senior member of TWG overseeing the campaign from beginning to end, much like a producer would do on a film.”

The Winders Group model takes aim at the weaknesses of larger, more established agencies. A virtual workforce and agile production model give marketers with a unique alternative to traditional shops that are centralized, siloed and unable to keep up with client needs and the changing pace of marketing technology.

In its first year of business, TWG has focused primarily on serving the B2B marketing and B2B payments processing needs of emerging technology clients in categories such as health tech, blockchain, bitcoin casinos 2022, fintech and cloud computing, but the agency also plans to provide B2C marketing services. The firm’s current clients include Domuso, CloudSimple, Measured and Transparent Health Marketplace.

“The Winders Group is one of the most progressive agencies I’ve dealt with in my career,” said David Saloff, co-founder and vice president of Transparent Health Marketplace. “Most agencies worth their salt can deliver results, but their passion for the work and the dynamic process they employ to achieve results is what makes TWG so original.”

Founder Tony Winders is not new to agency life having co-founded InterActive Agency, Inc. (a.k.a. iAgency), one of the world’s first digital agencies, in May 1995. His work developing early search engine marketing, online publicity and digital advertising for studios, networks, gaming and technology companies make him widely considered “the father of Internet marketing.”

Now Winders is innovating again with the formation of The Winders Group. The key to the success of TWG, he says, is matching the best team to each project and making sure the work is highly rewarding for everyone involved. “Both clients and freelancers are thriving within the structure of The Group, which tells me we have the potential to scale and may have the prototype for what agencies of the future may look like.”

The post How Marketing Technology and the Freelance Economy are Driving Agency Innovation appeared first on TechZulu.

We already know that bitcoin is the hottest trend since those self-balancing scooter batteries exploded, but what about tech hardware and gaming? Read on to find our top 7 tech trends of 2018 brought to you by the nerds at Gadget Review.

1. Oculus Go
This will be Facebooks first, dedicated VR headset that won’t require a smartphone or computer. It will run on the cheaper side of things and include a full suite of compatible games. Even better is that the position tracking should be better than that of Google Cardboard, but still not equivalent to that of the original Oculus. Which ain’t bad considering you aren’t or shouldn’t be tethered to anything.

2. Samsung Note 9
If the rumors are true – we can only hope they are – the Note 9, the follow up the stellar Note 8, will include a fold out screen that will provide a massive display in a very small body. Imagine watching Netflix or navigating in maps with a 10″ display all in your pocket.

3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Read Dead Redemption 2 will officially grace shelves and video games system on 10/26/2018. That date can’t come soon enough. The game, from Rockstar, promises to be one of the most entertaining of the year despite that it’s coming at the end of 2018.

4. iPhone 11
Hard to believe, but Apple will be forced to released a follow up to the iPhone X. In true fashion, the update shouldn’t be a game changer, but it will likely introduce improved battery life, speeds and a slightly better camera. What else can get better? Hopefully durability as dropping the iPhone X today can mean a trip to the Apple store to buy a new one.

5. Elon’s Not a Flamethrower
To avoid custom issues, and garner additional press, Elon’s flamethrower, the one that collected $10 million in 100 hours, will be rebranded “not a flamethrower”. That ridiculousness aside, this $500 a pop toy is probably best suited for adults and open spaces, such as the desert. Ahhh, roof torches never looked so cool. Thanks “Boring Company”.

6. Owl Car Security Camera
Dash cams became popular in Russia. But they’re not starting to go more mainstream in other parts of the world, especially thanks to the cloud. The Owl is a security camera that straps into your car, sits on the dash, runs all the time and records all of its contents to the Cloud thanks to a high speed internet connection that’s built-in. With further thought, the whole thing makes sense, since most dash cams only record when you’re driving. Where as accident and vandals tend to be drawn to parked cars. The Owl will retail for $299 with a $10/month service charge. When it launches you’ll get it for $349 with 1-year of service.

7. AirPods 2
The first AirPods are game changers. Don’t own one? Get a set and you’ll find out. They have stellar battery life, recharge up to 5 times in the case and let you listen to music, take calls all without sacrificing battery life. You can also learn here How to Reset Airpods if you want to reset them back to its original purpose! We’re looking forward to another set that includes improved battery life and perhaps a pair that are more fit for extreme sports.

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The words “Instagram” and “travel” tend to conjure ideas of people who backpack the urban terrain of Paris or Tokyo, sharing photos as they go. These users eventually become the “who’s who” of the social network, and their pictured cities and landmarks become even more desirable travel destinations.

But these glamorous locations aren’t the only places with premium Instagram potential. Many U.S. cities have gems to reveal to the dedicated explorer. Plus, some of the most Instagrammed areas have limited connectivity or are so congested with foot and Internet traffic that you’ll be hard-pressed to publish photographs in real time. Because of that, it may be time to revise the list of best cities to Instagram in and include the eight that follow below. Each city on this list features reliable public Wi-Fi, often paired with a strong tech presence and connected culture.

1. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of tech or travel, but it’s a prime location for both. The city is a veritable tech hub, as evidenced by the area’s public Wi-Fi initiative.

City officials paid close attention to parks and neighborhoods with limited network infrastructure when planning the public Wi-Fi layout, partially to support underserved communities. Its other aim was to increase interest in and publicity for local attractions like the Atlanta zoo — one of four U.S. locations housing giant pandas — and the Atlanta Jazz Festival, both of which provide plenty of photo opportunities for traveling Instagrammers.

2. Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, D.C.

The Baltimore/D.C. metropolitan area is a great location to visit if you’re a history or architecture buff. It’s also home to the sprawling Smithsonian complex and zoo, which make for great Instagramming. Plus, you can share as many photos as you want thanks to the several public Wi-Fi efforts in play, including a network specific to the National Mall. Baltimore also has extended its public Wi-Fi offering through the Inner Harbor. Here, you’ll never have to worry about connectivity and data — unless, of course, you get on the Metro.

3. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is another city steeped in history. It’s also a great place to capture photos, thanks to its “Wicked Free Wi-Fi.” The largest concentration of hotspots is found in the Grove Hall neighborhood, a favorite among residents, businesses, and tourists.

The city intends to continue growing the Wi-Fi network in support of economic development, while expanding other tech-centric projects, including the relatively new Innovation District. These efforts aim to improve the lives of everyone, from local residents to tourists visiting the beautiful Kelleher Rose Gardens.

4. Houston, Texas

Austin tends to get all the attention when it comes to technology and travel, but Houston is a great place to visit, too. Its downtown teems with activity, and you can capture it all via the various community Wi-Fi access points around the city. If you can get tickets, posting real-time pictures from the game is sure to earn you some love from followers across the country.

5. Kansas City, Kansas

One word: Google. The company’s free Wi-Fi service and Fiber infrastructure make Kansas City a hive of hyper-connectivity. Here, you’ll seldom have to worry about latency or access to public Wi-Fi.

In terms of photography, the University of Kansas is the most geotagged location on Instagram for the state. You may see a lot of agriculture — i.e., plenty of cornfields and cows — but there are many urban photo opportunities as well. The recent Boulevardia festival, for instance, was teeming with life and color, just waiting to be captured.

6. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is one of the more Instagrammed cities in the U.S., boasting attractions like Universal Studios and Dodger Stadium. And, because Wi-Fi is more or less omnipresent across the city, snapping and sharing pictures is easy and fun.

L.A. is also taking additional steps to build out its offerings. Its CityLinkLA proposal, which aims to ensure Internet access for everyone in the city, was unanimously approved last summer. Dropped calls and aborted uploads to Instagram from this bustling city may soon be things of the past.

7. Sacramento, California

Sacramento is another fun city to visit, particularly if want to go back in time to the Gold Rush era. Free, easy-access Wi-Fi can sometimes be spotty, but the city has a history of expanding Internet access in alignment with its digital goals, so that reliability may change in the near future.

One of the best aspects of Sacramento Wi-Fi is the network availability on public transportation. If you want to travel in style aboard the city’s Amtrak trains, you should — the lines have wireless Internet.

8. Seattle, Washington

Seattle is one of the better-known tech and travel cities on this list, with Microsoft and the Space Needle located in the area. Though current Wi-Fi offerings are somewhat limited to lendable Wi-Fi spots from the Seattle Public Library, if you time your trip right, you shouldn’t experience too many issues, as Google’s free Wi-Fi service is coming to the city. With it, you’ll be able to capture and share photos of the local greenery and slew of coffee shops, as well as easily stream all your favorite shows.

While the eight locations listed above may not make all the usual travel guide lists, that doesn’t mean they’re unenviable spots. Rather, you should view them as opportunities. Share what’s best about them with your public Wi-Fi connection, and make them known as the best tech-friendly travel destinations.

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Magical sparkling fairies and live Dave Matthews type music greet my eyes and ears as I enter a Business Relationship Wonderland in Hollywood, California Loews Hotel. The venue is filled with elite global innovators and game changers. The event, WORLDZ, created by a man named Roman Tsunder determined to accelerate social good in every industry by connecting top brands and executives around the world. The day kicked off with “Brain Dates” where attendees select various knowledge offers and requests from fellow guests to engage in more meaningful connections and to spark conversation. I did about 8 Brain Dates throughout the day from teaching people how to podcast to sharing the best ways to quickly integrate into the LA tech community. Equally I met with people to learn from them, how to create effective brand partnerships and to discover more about the startup ecosystem in Asia.

There were so many learning options pulling at my FOMO from master classes on ‘How to Give a TED Talk’ taught by TED organizers, to formal stage fireside chats between Will.I.Am and Gary Vaynerchuk. Speakers/teachers at WORLDZ are known as “Titans”. They are top caliber industry leaders from fashion and media icon Marc Ecko who in the last year sold his digital media company COMPLEX to Verizon to the CMO of Mastercard teaching us from their personal experience and insights. Thankfully the main keynotes were one track and at the top of the line up was the popular band BøRNS fresh off their sold out tour kicking off what felt like a brainshare festival. I’m sure every single person felt inspired and motivated to be their best and to really ‘show up’ on this earth.

I had the opportunity to speak with one of the sponsors and I ask about their “Why” in choosing this conference over all the others. The sponsor responded “We believe in their mission, their purpose.” It’s a reminder that every brand, no matter what you sell, has to stand for something. This is what became so clear with every speaker I watched, they all stood for something bigger than themselves. They took a stance, something I remember Tim Ferriss saying years ago. Choosing a viewpoint is powerful. It creates meaning that others can now confidently align themselves with. Gary stands for powering through, to go after any and all lofty or small professional dream you may have. Will.I.Am stands for empowering the less financially fortunate, showing them what’s possible. Claire Wineland born with cerebral palsy stands for turning suffering into empowerment.

There was a safe connectivity in the air, like if you were there you were a part of their tribe. Every WORLDZ ambassador would look you in the eye with compassion and care if you seemed lost even a moment. Gary Vee reminded us in his speech that though having a startup is now the New New cool thing to do, the reality is that being an entrepreneur is far from glamorous. It’s a grind that he gets knocked down in often. That battle comes with the job. To think you can just label yourself entrepreneur on your social profile, but then not build smart and build profitable is just stealing an undeserving title for false self promotion.

Marc Ecko shared that when he does hiring he seeks out that person’s true drive; is it external or internal? He wants to explore what is their core spirit. Understanding that will lend itself to longevity in being a loyal teammate.

The key to becoming one of the elite, the key to being a magnetic person and brand customers, members, sponsors, partners and fans crave being around, is to take a stance, to have a meaning bigger than yourself. You want your brand to be one that others can align themselves with, your brand needs to stand for something that people would feel like through osmosis they would slowly evolve into attaining your super powers.

Sophia Amoroso, founder of the now defunct previously multi million dollar fashion business Nasty Gal spoke at WORLDZ as well. Usually when a company goes belly up the founder hides in weakness and despair. Not Sophia, she stands for something too… she stands for perseverance despite adversity. She stands for standing up even when you feel like falling down. Therefore no matter what company or brand she creates that flows in and through her life, she has her own strength to lead with, she knows her worth as an independent human, despite what what economic fate may happen, with power and determination, she picks herself back up and starts again. That’s a type of force we all want, so just as the others mentioned above, her purpose and meaning are beaming.

Roman Tsunder said this is Chapter 2 of WORLDZ, and that it is just one chapter in a large journey. He stood for global change. And he’ll continue his movement year after year so we sure to look out for the next WORLDZ if you want to be a part of changing the world for the better.

WORLDZ RECAP VIDEO

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Since the introduction of big data over a decade ago in the form of data analytics, it has helped police agencies in different places over the world when matters related to improving strategies for combating crime, making concrete decisions and reduce chances of crime happening are concerned.

Police administrators are forced to come up with new strategies to combat crime. Such strategies include using gunshot sensors, being active on social media and using image surveillance sensors. With such information, police agencies are in a position to quickly and efficiently respond to crime scenes.

In a simple definition, big data means being in a position to mine huge amounts of data from different sources, effectively understand the accuracy of the data and from it, make critical analyses. At times, the decisions might be difficult depending on the situation at hand. The capability is made up of software solutions that are complex, and that run on supercomputers. In addition to the technologies mentioned above, big data solutions can combine different abilities such as zoning applications that are associated with selling liquor.

There are several big companies that are engaged with matters related to big data for law enforcement. IBM is the leading solutions provider for security big data solutions. The company has in the past developed the Crime Information Warehouse that can marry different crimes analytics for predictive policies.

Big data has become the best and newest resource when matters related to law enforcement are concerned. The technology has played a very big role when making connections and detecting crime patterns. However, some improvements need to be done so that the technology can work better. First of all, it is important that all analysis is based on a particular department and it’s mission. Every feature should be focused on not just understanding the necessary step to make the operational goals achievable.

Examples of how big data is helping law enforcement agencies

An example of big data in everyday law enforcement is real-time number plate scanners that are mounted on police cars. They can record photographs of the license plates without involving the operator and then transmit them to the central database. They transmit information in real time, and the driver is in a position to know of any arrest warrants.

Another good example is the full-time video on police uniforms. This technology is combined with facial recognition. This technology has contributed a great deal when matters related to make policing more effective.

Currently, many technology startups are trying to take facial recognition to greater heights. One company is going beyond facial recognition and venturing into emotional analytics. If the technology is successful, it will enable security agencies to scan crowds. And be in a position to know the security nature based on the emotions. The technology incorporates image processing and emotional analytics. The continued use of big data in law enforcement is bound to make big improvement strides. Among other technologies, big data in law enforcement uses the Google bigquery technology to improve on clarity in overall, improve on precision.

All said and done, big data has and will continue making things easier for law enforcement agencies. In the near future, some improvements on the already existing technologies are expected as well as innovations. In the future, maybe making an arrest will be digital like parking tickets are. Improvements in technology overall will see to it that big data improves. This will translate in law enforcement agencies becoming more efficient.

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If you’re a sleep deprived entrepreneur, who has tried every sleep hack in the book, you may want to consider turning to technology to aid you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), insufficient sleep is becoming a public health dilemma. On the surface it may seem like a poor night’s sleep just means feeling tired the next day—it’s far more serious than that, with insufficient sleep linked to motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, and chronic diseases like diabetes, depression, obesity, and high blood pressure. While sleep is essential for everyone, it is especially critical for entrepreneurs who need need it to maintain their performance and efficiency. Improving sleep means improving one’s health and productivity, and there are many sleep tracking apps and sleep gadgets now available to promote sleep health. You may also like to consider using some effective cbd products like CBN Blue Raspberry Rings for Sleep to gain a perfect health sleep!

With so many options on the market, we’ve narrowed it down to our 7 favorite:

1. Next-level earplugs. Regular earplugs can be insufficient when blocking out noise, and noise-cancelling headphones are bulky and tough to sleep in. Hush earplugs combine sound-eliminating foam and noise masking with soothing sounds to aid in getting a full night’s sleep without distraction.
2. Heart health tracking. There are a number of fitness trackers on the market. The Jawbone UP3 doesn’t just measure steps—it gives you a complete picture of your heart health, including while you sleep, monitoring your deep, light, and REM sleep phases, and giving sleep improvement insights night by night.
3. A different kind of sleeping pill. It’s not what you’re thinking. The Sense sleep app for your smartphone and the Sleep Pill from Hello combine to give you a detailed breakdown of your sleep cycles to help improve your sleep. The Sleep Pill attaches to your pillow to monitor your sleep along with your sleep environment—including temperature, noise, and air quality. The system includes a smart alarm that wakes you during the appropriate part of your sleep cycle.
4. Super-thin sleep sensor. Another sleep tracker, Beddit goes between your mattress pad and sheet, so there’s nothing to wear or remember every day. Without disturbing your natural sleep, it tracks the quantity and quality of your sleep, as well as compiling statistics including heart rate, breathing, snoring, and the humidity and temperature of your sleep environment.
5. New-school sleep masks. An old cloth sleep mask can help keep out light, but it doesn’t do half of what these more advanced options can. The Illumy from GloToSleep helps you fall asleep with light that dims progressively through the night, then wakes you up by progressively lighting back up. The Neuroon sleep mask also uses dimming and brightening light, and it helps adjust your body clock when you’re suffering from jet lag.
6. An advanced alarm clock. Waking up right is part of a good night’s sleep. The Aura Connected Alarm Clock invigorates your wakeup experience with light and custom music. The light simulates sunrise for a more natural wakeup process, and the audio lets you pick your morning groove from your Spotify playlists or more than 20,000 web radio stations.
7. A pillow turned smart. Chrona is a smart pillow topper. Add Chrona to any pillow to enhance sleep quality by using sounds specific to where you are in your sleep cycle, increasing the quality of your sleep so that six hours can feel like eight.

With all the advancements in technology designed to improve and monitor sleep, it is important to be mindful of creating essential sleep habits, including establishing a sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine before bedtime, and making the bedroom environment one that promotes quality sleep.

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It’s no secret that entrepreneurs are busy all the time–between juggling a business, dealing with employees, and maintaining a social life, it can be next to impossible to get in your eight hours of shut-eye per night.

Time is no excuse. Some entrepreneurs even boast about getting minimal amounts of sleep, however study after study has shown that getting in at least seven to eight hours of sleep is essential. A study, published in the journal Sleep, analyzed data that covered over 1.3 million people which showed that people were . Furthermore, getting in more sleep will actually make you more productive at work. In fact, sleeping for less than six hours a night is closely associated with burnout. Being sleep deprived makes you less efficient and less productive so why not make the most of your days by getting a decent night’s rest?

Here’s how you can hack your way to sleep despite juggling a million and one things.

1. Put the (cell) phone down

It can be difficult to get away from our phones considering how intertwined our lives are with technology. Your emails, news sources, and everything else are all stored in one pocket-sized device. But seriously, put the phone down. The exposure to blue light emitted from your cellphones has been shown to suppress the production of melatonin more than any other light. Fun fact? Melatonin is crucial for falling asleep.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that of the study participants who used social media for more than an hour everyday, 30% had high levels of sleep disturbance. While sleep issues aren’t directly correlated with social media and cell phone use, it’s a safe bet that putting the phone down can lead to a more restful sleep.

2. Replace your decades old mattress

It’s recommended that you replace your mattress every eight years–and for good reason. People sleep better on newer mattresses as opposed to mattresses that are five years older or older. A better sleep can lead to increased productivity levels and a better quality of life. Furthermore, older mattresses contain all manner of unpleasantries. Consider how many dead skin cells, dust mites, pollen and other bodily items may be hanging out on your old mattress.

If you can afford it, consider buying a new mattress to see dramatic improvements in sleep quality.

3. Stretch and move first thing in the morning

It might sound counterintuitive but you’d be surprised at how effective moving and stretching first thing in the morning can be at getting in some quality zzz. A study showed that people who exercised at 7am got longer, deeper sleep than those who exercised at 1pm or 7pm. you’d be surprised at how effective moving and stretching, first thing in the morning, can be

Working out at night? Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect that early morning workouts do. Because your body releases adrenaline—along with other hormones—after a workout, it can make you restless and unable to fall asleep.

4. Get a sleep tracker

Technology is on your side! There’s a wealth of choice when it comes to choosing a device that will help you effectively track your sleep. Some examples include Fitbit and Jawbone. Depending on which device you get, they can share insights such as the length of each sleep cycle, how many times you woke up during the night, the best sleep schedule based on your sleep habits, and more. For more on having a pleasant night of sleep, read this post about the 5 Best Anti-Snoring Devices For Better Sleep 2022.

Why is this so helpful? A device that helps you track your sleep can provide valuable insight into your sleep patterns. This can help you identify areas for improvement and take action to improve the quality of your sleep–and your productivity as a result. If the reason for your sleeplessness is because of an unbearable pain, it’s time to buy a pain reliever at this link: https://eumeds.com/zapain/

If you’re serious about the success of your business, consider trying one of these hacks for a better night’s sleep. Your business, and health, will thank you for it.

The post 4 Hacks That Will Actually Help Entrepreneurs Get More Sleep appeared first on TechZulu.

While greater mainstream acceptance of fully autonomous vehicles promises a wide range of benefits, there are also plenty of drawbacks with this technology that often go overlooked. From motorists who are hesitant to turn over control of their vehicle to a machine to potential obstacles and situations that self-driving vehicles are still struggling to overcome, there are plenty of concerns that need to be addressed before these vehicles can take to the streets in greater numbers. The following issues highlight some of the most significant obstacles that could produce costly delays and other problems of the automotive industry, if you want a new car check out this page.

Many Motorists Are Reluctant to Give Up Control

There are no shortage of vehicle owners who have expressed anxiety and trepidation at the thought of sitting behind the wheel of a self-driving car. While some drivers may have concerns regarding the current limitations of the technology, there are others who simply find the concept of being made a passenger in their own vehicle to be unpalatable. It may take longer for these motorists to become comfortable with autonomous vehicles that might be expected, read more about this content here.

Limitations With the Technology

While current-generation self-driving vehicles are capable of a great deal, there are still a number of different situations that self-driving vehicles may struggle with, many of which would pose little to no problem for a human driver.

Extensive testing has uncovered many of the most obvious and pressing limitations of this technology, but putting greater numbers of driverless cars on the road always has the potential to uncover flaws that may have escaped notice throughout the testing and development process. While most data indicates that autonomous vehicles have the potential to be far safer than conventional cars and trucks, a rash of high-profile accidents or the discovery of a significant issue may have the potential to create substantial disruption for the automotive industry. As a clear example of it you see more people going for classic cars like the classic Ford Mustangs rather tan hybrid or electric cars.

Concerns With the Transition

There are plenty of potential issues regarding the mainstream transition from conventional vehicles to self-driving cars. Additional requirements, such as ensuring that autonomous vehicle owners complete a class to ensure that autonomous vehicles can be operated in a safe and effective manner, may be necessary. Attending a Florida traffic school online or completing a driver education course online may ensure that the transition from conventional vehicles to self-driving automobiles is less likely to cause problems.

What to Expect in the Days Ahead

Many motorists may be surprised to learn just how many self-driving vehicles they may already be sharing the road with. While this technology is currently concentrated on a few specific regions, areas and cities where long-term studies and further testing is being conducted, big changes may be just around the corner. Mainstream acceptance of autonomous vehicles is not something that will occur overnight, but the first of many major milestones marking the widespread roll-out of driverless vehicles may prove to be much closer than many vehicle owners imagine.

Heading Towards a Driverless Future

While there is no denying that the era of self-driving vehicles is not far off, the potential for unexpected obstacles to develop is always a concern when it comes to the release of a new technology. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to cause lasting change to many facets of everyday life, but efforts to rush a new technology can often lead to an increased risk of an issue developing. Everyone from vehicle manufacturers to individual motorists would be wise to keep an eye on the latest developments and trends shaping the auto industry.

The post Could the Race to Self-Driving Cars Kill the Industry? appeared first on TechZulu.

Seamless Integration with SmartThings Device Hub

For many smart home devices, you will need to purchase a hub that connects them all in one place, and forwards that information to your smartphone. SmartThings works wonderfully with Google Assistant to keep your devices together, while still maintaining intuitive control over lights, thermostats, alarms, and more. SmartThings can also string multiple commands at once, such as turning on lights, opening blinds, and then turning on the coffee machine. This handy hub also lets you connect hundreds of devices, all that can be controlled using Google Assistant’s voice control.

Compatibility Rating: SmartThings is specifically designed to be the brain for your smart home, utilizing voice activation tools like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for maximum flexibility and customization.

Adjust Temperature with Nest Thermostats

Once you have your device hub set up, you can begin connecting devices such as the Nest thermostat, a smart thermostat that can learn your routine and adjust the temperature automatically according to your preferences. The Nest is perfectly designed for smart homes, providing broad flexibility for smartphone control and voice activation. Commands such as “set temperature to 72” and “turn on air conditioning” through Google Assistant are simple functions for the Nest thermostat and ensure that you are always comfortable throughout the year. To get the most efficiency from your air conditioning unit, make sure to have regular air conditioning repair and maintenance service.

Compatibility Rating: Nest products respond very well to various voice commands through Google Assistant to control your home quickly and easily.

Easy Mood Lighting with Phillips Hue Lights

Phillips has a great selection of plain and colored LED lights to suit every room in your home. These lights can then connect SmartThings device hub (via a bridge) or IFTTT, which in turn gives you control with Google Assistant. Change the color to one of 16 million different shades, dim the lights, or turn them off altogether with corresponding voice controls. The LED’s are energy efficient too, so you aren’t breaking the bank while creating a welcoming home environment.

Compatibility Rating: Works well with Google Assistant, but Hue is currently not entirely supported by SmartThings without first having a bridge to support it. However, you can use IFTTT (If This Then That) to integrate Philips Hue with voice activation.

Home Security Made Simple with Scout Alarm

There are hundreds of alarm systems out there, but for voice activation with Google Assistant, Scout has the perfect solution for you. Connecting to the hub and your smartphone gives you increased security. Receive alerts and notifications when Scout notices activity in your home, and choose what to do in the event of unauthorized access. Arming and disarming your alarm is a snap with voice commands that cut down on your morning routine while still ensuring that your home is safe and secure while you are away.

Compatibility Rating: While Scout is compatible with Google Assistant, voice commands are limited to arming and disarming the system. Most functions of Scout are done directly through the smartphone via on-screen alerts.

In conclusion Google Assistant supports a variety of useful smart home devices that you can control with your smart phone, adding the additional function of voice-recognition and voice activation to perform tasks that you would otherwise need to do manually. These devices utilize Google’s voice service through a central hub such as SmartThings or IFTTT, allowing you to remain focused on things that matter most to you.

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What is a Driverless Car?

As the name would imply, driverless cars are vehicles that do not necessarily need a driver in order to navigate roads. As it stands, most driverless cars are prototype models and are not used on or around public roadways. There are a few different types of driverless cars. Some would be used as delivery vehicles, cutting back on employment costs for certain businesses. Others would be used much like taxis, and some companies have already begun the early stages of implementing these types of systems.

Somewhat ironically, the single biggest threat to driverless cars are human drivers. Humans are unpredictable, and having an AI decide how to drive in situations where a crash is unavoidable raises a number of significant ethical questions. These potential issues aside, many people believe that driverless cars could all but eliminate traffic on public highways and road systems. In addition, according to the Center for Disease Control, as many as 30% of traffic accidents are caused by drunk drivers. These types of accidents could be almost entirely prevented by autonomous vehicles.

How Driverless Cars Could Reduce or Eliminate Traffic

The main theory behind eliminating traffic by using autonomous vehicles is that if all of the vehicles are following the exact same set of rules, they can easily predict the movements and behavior of the other vehicles on the road. They would be able to plot the most efficient route while keeping in mind the impact they have on the surrounding traffic. If you are a fan of cars as much as we do, consider checking the new blog post about the Shelby Mustang GT500 1967.

Using a combination of pathfinding and advanced behavioral prediction, computers are surprisingly adept at planning out efficient routes between points. The problem is that human drivers are not nearly as efficient, and lack the level of connectivity and reaction time between the other cars on the road to travel along the perfect route. This is the main reason that we have traffic jams. Simply put: it’s impossible for a human being to be a perfect driver.

The main argument against the idea that self-driving cars, with some people going as far as to suggest that they will cause more traffic , is that if driverless cars were available a lot more people would be on the roads at any given time. Another argument is that if we intermix analog and autonomous vehicles, there are almost certainly going to be situations in which the self-driving cars are unable to process or cope with human decision making and may cause additional accidents.

The law at this point varies from state to state in regards to self-driving vehicles. Some states explicitly prohibit or allow these types of vehicles. Other states are not so clear. Texas, for example, doesn’t explicitly allow or disallow autonomous vehicles.

Insuring Self-Driving Vehicles

When it comes to insurance, self-driving vehicles make matters a lot more complicated. Who is to blame in the event an accident happens? Many insurance companies are likely to not accept self-driving cars at all for this reason. Texas car insurance, being a state that neither explicitly allows or disallows self-driving vehicles, will have to be especially careful in deciding whether or not to insure these types of cars.

Some people argue that the advent of autonomous vehicles as the primary mode of transportation could be harmful for the insurance industry as a whole. If self-driving cars are really as safe as they purport to be, insurance premiums will have nowhere to go but down. This is great for consumers, but not so great for big companies with lots of overhead costs.

Whichever side of the argument you stand on, one thing is for certain. Self-driving vehicles are going to revolutionize the way that we get around our world, and as a society, we are going to have to adapt to these changes to help the process go as smoothly as possible. Buying a used car from ZeMotor can save you money, provide the same satisfaction as a new car, and provide quality transportation for many years, find more details at their website.

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When it comes to sustainability and environmental protection, few modern technologies can compete with satellites. The unique views of the planet they offer can be put to excellent use to monitor resources, track environmental changes, and more. If you also want to make a real difference to people and the planet in reducing climate change impact, you can check out the reliable carbon offsetting companies like the ones at carbon click which can help you achieve that goal!

Here are five examples of how satellites are being used to improve sustainability efforts around the world.

1. ESA and IDB Partner to Monitor Natural Resources

The Environmental and Social Safeguards unit of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is working with the European Space Agency (ESA) on a variety of projects that use satellite imaging to provide information about natural resources. The two agencies began working together in 2016 to track resources and sustainability efforts

Many of the projects have been focused on Bolivia and surrounding areas, where the IDB supports local governments on multiple initiatives, including the following:

• Mapping wetlands and area changes
• Monitoring the impact of new dams
• Investigating the effects of land titling on deforestation
• Examining the effects of water treatment facilities on water quality in Lake Titicaca

If these initiatives work out, they could be just the beginning of a long partnership between the ESA and IDB, which has numerous green initiatives in this part of the world.

2. Barfoots Uses Satellites to Track Produce Shipments

Barfoots, a British vegetable company, uses satellites to improve sustainability in its supply chain. The company originally began transporting asparagus supplies by boat to help reduce its carbon footprint, but this posed a challenge: it takes a lot longer for the produce to reach its destination by boat, compared to just a few days by air. Barfoots needed a way to track the shipments and make sure the asparagus arrived in sellable condition.

The company accomplishes that tracking using satellite communication. Partnering with the Satellite Applications Catapult, an independent company, Barfoot uses satellites to track the position of ships and monitor the temperature and humidity of the containers. This allows the produce company to know when—and in what condition—the product will reach its destination. These insights can help Barfoots pinpoint route efficiency issues and reduce food and resource waste.

This initiative is just one step on the company’s path to greater environmental consciousness. Barfoots has a long history of being big on sustainability. Peter Barfoot, the company’s chairman, says, “The quality of the soil and balance of biodiversity mean everything when producing healthy crops. To farm successfully you need to be a custodian of nature, and farm today like you are going to farm forever.”

3. UK Shellfish Industry Monitors Water Quality with Satellites

ShellEye is a UK-based initiative that uses satellites to monitor water quality in offshore and coastal farms. The project is also developing systems to synthesize that satellite data and alert farmers to changing conditions via emails or text messages. There are also plans to provide tools for farmers to predict—and respond to—short-term water quality changes on their own.

These programs are all part of an effort to combat the effects of pollution on shellfish and other seafood farms. Pollution can cause health problems for the shellfish at the farms themselves, but that’s not the only issue: consumers could also be at risk if they consume food contaminated by pollutants. The ShellEye Project’s initiatives is an innovative way to fight back against the effects of pollution on water quality and ecosystem well-being.

4. Scotland’s Rural College Tests Virtual Fencing for Livestock

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is working on a virtual fencing system, which uses GPS technology, satellites, and special collars to help keep farm livestock contained at a more affordable cost. As the livestock wander the fields, the collars and satellites work together to track their position. When the animals reach a virtual boundary, the collars use a gentle stimulus—like an irritating sound—to coax them back into the safe zone.

The advantages of a virtual fence are primarily monetary: it can be much cheaper to fit the livestock with collars than it is to plan, build, and maintain sturdy fencing, particularly for smaller herds. There is also an added level of flexibility with virtual fencing. If a farmer needs to alter the zones where the livestock live, they can simply adjust the virtual system, reducing fencing material waste and increasing overall farm efficiency.

5. Satellite Television Provider DISH Cleans Up Its Service Fleet

A wide variety of companies employ satellite technology to improve sustainability efforts, but the buck doesn’t stop there. Satellite companies are also doing their part to be more environmentally conscious. One notable example is DISH, one of the largest satellite television providers in America.

DISH utilizes a fleet of Ford cargo vans that run on propane autogas rather than traditional gasoline fuel. The company deployed 200 of these vans in 2013. The vans costs 55% less to fuel, saving DISH around $2,500 per vehicle per year. The environmental impact of that many vans clocking that many hours using a clean fuel source can’t be underestimated, either—the propane fuel burns much cleaner than gas, reducing the overall pollution output. As Carol Smith, tech specialist with USDish.com, notes, “DISH is excited about sustainability. The company is regularly looking for new ways to boost environmental consciousness and support employees in green efforts.”

These examples only scratch the surface of how satellite technology and companies can pave the way for green initiatives and environmental preservation. Many of these programs are recent, as well, so keep an eye out for new developments in this growing area of sustainability.

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The technology industry moves fast — so fast that it has a model called Moore’s Law that projects how technological power essentially doubles every year. However, if you look at traditional industries such as real estate, accounting, and insurance, innovation tends to come much slower, particularly when it comes to implementing new technology or adopting major shifts.

Why is that? Technological evolution can often be powered by an individual or small group, just like how Apple Computer was founded in a garage or weekend coding can create the next great app. But in long-standing industries, evolution is often hampered by a variety of factors:

• Traditional industries rely heavily on process and paperwork, and innovation can create upheaval, even potentially leading to the elimination of jobs.
• Many traditional industries include some form of government regulations, which are necessary for standards and protection but create difficulties with adopting change.
• From equipment to software to vendor contracts, companies and organizations may have years of funds tied up in existing methods and practices.

Education is one of the nation’s oldest industries, and while it doesn’t move at the pace of the computer or smartphone industry, education technology (edtech) has pushed forward with gradual momentum. Step by step, edtech has integrated into the industry to a point where today’s classroom is significantly different from 30 years ago. While current innovations are specific to the classroom, they represent a model that can easily be adopted by other traditional industries. Consider the following examples:

Security & Ethics

For the edtech industry, security and ethics are a top concern. Sensitive information is everywhere: names, addresses, historical records, medical records, possibly all the way to social security numbers. The goal is not just “How do we protect it?”, but also “How do we ethically use it?” No single consensus exists yet, and the conversation is evolving, touching everything from general IT configurations (such as secure framework analysis) to cutting-edge technology (such as permanent and transparent blockchain solutions).

Application: In the Internet of Things, personal data is everywhere. Latest perspectives on security and ethics are required to allow maximum usage of data while ensuring public trust.

Personalization

Studies have shown that personalized learning improves student outcomes. The common-sense wisdom here is that if a student has curriculum personalized to his or her abilities and interests, the student feels more engaged and is thus more inclined to perform better. With modern edtech capabilities, personalization is usually built into modules and platforms, turning each user’s experience into a custom lesson plan.

Application: Flexible programming of modules, apps, and platforms mean that the experience can be adapted for individual use based on analytics and real-time feedback. Regardless of industry, forward-thinking programming means personalization is the new norm.

Hybrid Education

Some people want the flexibility of a virtual classroom. Some people thrive in a real classroom environment. A hybrid education merges these two arenas, with the goal of creating individualized paths. By allowing flexibility in how individuals learn best, the talent gap closes, all while reducing higher-education costs and democratizing education. Modern edtech initiatives, from the virtual classroom to online supplementary material, bring this flexibility to both students and teachers.

Application: The virtual space and practical space can co-exist and blend together rather than being mutually exclusive. This gives users, customers, and other stakeholders flexibility to work across both to maximize their experiences.

Streamlining Student Pathways

While some students go to four-year universities for a combination of classroom and social experience, many others (commuter students, adult education students, advanced-learning students, etc.) simply want a degree as quickly as possible. Programs that use edtech create streamlined student pathways, usually with flexible scheduling so people can learn on nights and weekends. By teaching at a student’s pace, mastering a subject can come fast — often faster than in a traditional program.

Application: Because of the way online apps and tools allow for flexible experiences, achieving goals — whatever they may be — can become shorter, more focused, and streamlined. This requires less time/financial investment by end users, thus making the process more appealing.

Replacing Testing with Learning

The advent of online classrooms, bite-size lessons, and modular learning means traditional methods are now outdated. The lessons learned from lectures, homework, quizzes, and tests can still be achieved but in a more engaging and student-friendly way. This usually means a more hands-on approach that rewards mastering skills rather than getting high scores.

Application: The virtual space allows for smart adaptation of an end user’s situation. To this end, traditional macro goals for industries may no longer be necessary, and instead, a continuous process with micro achievements may provide a more fulfilling and productive user experience.

Bringing Innovation to Traditional Industries

The above examples demonstrate how technological innovation has gone beyond merely enhancing student experiences. Even in education, where traditions have been around for more than a century, technology is bringing students and teachers a more flexible, more adaptable solution. By focusing on what the end-users — students, teachers, and administrators — need, edtech developers have revolutionized the industry, opening the doors to education literally around the globe. The best part? Other traditional industries can model this too. Whether it’s insurance, real estate, or other traditional industries, similar innovations can take place, first by focusing on the end-user and then by looking how cutting-edge technology can deliver.

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