Month: January 2020

WhatsApp Launches Call Waiting

WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service, recently introduced its call waiting feature for voice and video callers.

The feature sends a notification if someone calls you while you’re on another call. You can click either of the two options:

  • Decline: Refuse to answer the new call and instead complete your current call.
  • End and Accept: Say goodbye to your current caller and accept the new call.

Call waiting also works when people use a landline or another app to contact you on WhatsApp. WhatsApp will ask whether you wish to decline or answer the incoming call.

This feature, however, doesn’t allow call holding yet. You can’t keep your first caller on the line while answering the second caller to say that you’ll be available as soon as you end your conversation with the other caller.

Call waiting was released for IOS users last November 2019 and for Android users this December. Before the feature was launched,  WhatsApp callers would hear (Name of your contact) is on another call ¨if the person they were calling had an ongoing conversation with another caller. Moreover, their call would be automatically rejected. Meanwhile, the person on the other line would only learn that someone else was trying to call through the ¨missed call¨notification.

You can go to the WhatsApp wbsite or the Apple Store to download the lastet versión of WhatsApp for IOS . Android users can also visit the app’s oficial website or go to Google Play Store.

Other Updates

Besides call waiting, WhatsApp’s updated version also offers the following new features:

  • It allows you to control who can add you to their groups. To set this up, go to Settings,
  • then Account, then Privacy, then Groups.
  • It gives you the option to use your fingerprint as a passcode to the app. To set this up, go to Settings, then Account, then Privacy, then Fingerprint Lock, and click Enable Unlock with Fingerprint.

Upcoming Features

Other features will also be activated in the near future:

  • Dark mode

Users have to join the WhatsApp beta program to activate this mode.

  • Self-deleting messages

Users will be able to set their message to “self-destruct” or disappear after a period of time: from an hour to one day, one week, one month, or a year. This feature is already in place in other apps like Messenger and Telegram.

WhatsApp to Be Unavailable in Older iOS, Android, Windows Phones

WhatsApp announced that the app will no longer operate on phones that run on Android 2.3.7 and older versions starting February 2, 2020. The same goes for iPhones running on iOS 8 and older.

WhatsApp said that it will run best on Android units running on version 4.0.3 and later, iPhones operating on iOS 9 and later, and JioPhones that run on KaiOS 2.5.1.

Individuals selling MacBooks or selling laptops online can tell affected phone users that they can still install WhatsApp on their laptops and MacBooks by going to the app’s website, the Microsoft Store, or the Apple App Store.

 

Teaching Music and Art through Technology

Technology  Nowadays, we can gain knowledge almost everywhere we look at the touch of a finger, and we can make the most out of this advantage. Technology can be used to teach our children music and art- two of the most important components of human civilization.

Musica and art move us as human beings, but why is that? Why does a Beethoven piece move us to tears? Why does a Botticelli painting bring us great joy?

Music and Art as Integral Components for Human Beings

As far as we can remember , human beings have always been drawn to music an art. Our ancestors have made countless figurines,paintings, engravings, and musical instruments, among others, to convey their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

As human beings, we feel emotions when we see or hear certain cues. We interpret these cues by way of our emotions. For example, if we see someone who looks happy, you may feel a sense of calm or even happines. Compare that to what you might feel if you come across someone who looks angry. If you see a portrait of stern-looking individual, you may tend to feel a sense of dread.

Using Technology to Teach Music and Art         

Technology can be used to greatly improve productivity and learning. Here are a few ways with which you can incorporate technology into teaching at home or in the classroom:

  • Allow your child or student to share their input.
    • Use their input as feedback. You can ask them directly, or if there are several learners, you can use a number of online tools and applications.
  • Give your child or student enough room to create.
    • You can use videos, e-books, and other digital content to teach them art and music.
  • Make learning more engaging by making it interactive.
    • Use interactive tools such as an online whiteboard or have your learners use applications that work with their smartphones. Why not use a music video to introduce the class to the subject? You may also want to play music and use it as a writing prompt.
  • Gather necessary resources.
    • In teaching art, for example, use the Internet as a source for illustrations. You can zoom in on what details or images you want your learners to focus on and make them feel as if they are in a gallery or museum. For music, use samples or clips to allow your students to become familiar with a particular composer’s body of work, for example.
  • Invite a guest.
  • Use technology to connect with experts around the world. Applications such as Skype and Google Hangouts can be used to talk to an expert even if they’re in a different country.

If you’re thinking of utilizing technology to teach art and music, you need to have the right tools like a good, working laptop. If your unit can’t handle the task, you may want to sell your laptop online and get a newer model. Technology is a useful tool to teach valuable lessons on art and music, be it in the classroom or at home.

 

How to Record Screen Actions on Your iOS 11 Phone

There are times when you need to record what happens on the screen of our iPhone or iPad to show someone how to use an app or to report a bug.

Although capturing screenshots and making annotations will be just as helpful, a live video recording is often more effective when you have to explain a procedure or problem to a viewer or listener.

How to Include Screen Recording in Your Control Center

Phones running on iOS 11 or a later update carry the screen recording feature. You have to add the screen recording icon to the Control Center to start using it.

To do this, go to Settings, tap Control Center, and then click Customize Controls. From this menu, scroll down the array of tools and select Screen Recording.

How to Start Recording

To begin recording, return to the Home Screen then go to the iOS Control Center. You can head to the Control Center more quickly by swiping from the bottom edge of your screen on your iOS 11. If you’re using iOS 12 or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to the bottom-left corner.

You should then find the Screen Recording icon—a solid circle at the center and a thin circle outside of it—among your tools at the bottom.

Once you click on the button, recording begins automatically after a three-second countdown. To ensure that text and phone call notifications won’t interrupt your recording, disable your alerts or enable the Do Not Disturb mode before you start recording.

A red bar or time indicator will appear at the top of your screen once you begin recording. Tap on this bar once and click "Stop" when a box pops up asking "Stop screen recording?" You can also end the recording by opening the Control Center again and tapping on the screen recording icon.

The recorded video is saved in your Photos app as a 45fps MP4 file. It has a resolution of 900 by 1,600 pixels. You can go to the Photos app to view, edit, and share your video.

If you want to record your conversation while doing something on your iPhone or iPad, do a long press on your Screen Recording button then enable the Microphone Audio option when you start screen recording. Adding audio is best for tutorials.

Other Screen Recorder Apps

You may also opt to download free third-party screen recording apps for added features.

For example, you can use DU Recorder to do a livestream on YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch.

Meanwhile, you can edit the background color of your recording, change the canvas size, and shorten
your video by using the Record It! Screen Recorder app.

Screen Recorder Can Turn Your Phone into a Mini Production House

Besides using the screen recorder to explain a process or record your winning mobile game, the tool can also be helpful for bloggers and online traders, including those selling MacBooks or selling laptops online.

Instead of just writing your thoughts for a blog, you can make an audio commentary on a news report or make a review of a product by recording your voice while showing the website where the item or article appears.

You can also use the screen recorder to make a short video out of the pictures you’ve taken of a device or devices you wish to offer for sale.

Finding the Right Laptop for You: A Handy Guide

Are you looking to buy your first laptop? Or maybe you’re looking to sell your laptop online to upgrade to a newer model? Perhaps you’re an entrepreneur looking for a laptop that can grow with your expanding business needs? Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right laptop for you.

Important Things to Consider

We’ve listed some of the important elements that you should consider when looking for a new laptop. And yes, sometimes brands don’t really play a big role in the selection.

Platform

The platform or the operating system allows you to use your laptop and run your laptop’s various programs and applications. Most laptops run on one of three operating systems, and choosing the perfect OS for you is really a matter of personal preference.

  • Microsoft Windows
    • It is the most widely used OS in the world and is known to be the most flexible of the three.
    • Its latest iteration, Windows 10, features Cortana, which is Microsoft’s virtual assistant.
  • MacOS
    • Apple’s flagship OS allows you to move seamlessly from your MacBook to your other Apple devices.
    • Its latest version, macOS Catalina, lets you use your iPad as a second screen for your MacBook.
  • Chrome OS
    • Google’s Chrome OS is a fast and simple OS ideal for people who work online and those who are always on the go.
    • Chromebooks now have Android app compatibility, which allows you to download, install, and run your favorite Android apps.

Laptop size and weight

Picking the right size and weight for your laptop will depend on what you’re planning to do with it. Laptop sizes usually start at the 11.6-inches range and can go up to 17.3 inches.

If you want a portable laptop, you can opt for smaller laptops (11.6 inches to 13.3 inches) with lighter weights, around 1-1.5 kgs.

Consider the balance between portability and performance. Remember, the bigger your laptop, the heavier it will be.

CPU

The CPU is the brain of the laptop that controls all of its functions.

If you’re going to be using your laptop for basic tasks, you can opt for a dual-core processor. However, if you’re into gaming or video editing, you might want to also consider the graphics card, RAM, and hard disk drive (HDD) or the unit’s solid-state drive (SSD).

Storage

It goes without saying that bigger hard drives allow for more storage. But if you tend to use advanced computer programs, you may want to opt for SSDs, which are faster and more reliable due to their build.

RAM

The Random Access Memory (RAM) is what enables your laptop to multitask. If you’re using advanced programs or are into gaming, you’ll need more RAM.

RAM generally comes in four sizes: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB+, with the latter two being most suitable for running demanding and advanced professional software.

Other factors that you need to consider are:

  • Graphics
  • Display
  • Ports
  • Battery life
  • Connectivity
  • Build quality

It goes without saying that you should consider these features along with your needs and your budget. Be prepared to make some compromises along the way.

Apple Rumored to Release Five New iPhones in 2020

2020 is rumored to witness the release of several new iPhone models, according to predictions by some of the industry’s noted analysts.

Predicted iPhone Models

Another prediction by Samik Chatterjee, a J.P. Morgan analyst, sees the release of four new models in Fall 2020: the iPhone 12 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch iPhones, and a 6.7-inch model. According to Chatterjee, this new lineup will sport OLED displays.

Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that five models will be released, including what would be the follow up to the iPhone SE, the iPhone SE 2.

If both predictions are correct, we’re bound to see the following models in 2020, all of which are rumored to come in a flatter metal frame:

  • iPhone SE 2 (4.7-inch). This will be launched in the first half of 2020 and will resemble the iPhone 8, complete with the bezels and the Touch ID home button.

This model, however, will reportedly run on a faster A13 chip and will have 3GB of RAM. Unlike its counterparts, which will be launched in the fall of 2020, the iPhone SE 2 will have an LCD display and will only have a single-lens rear camera. This model will not have 5G support.

An additional prediction by Kuo sees the coming of the iPhone SE 2 Plus, which will reportedly have an all-screen design and will make use of the Touch ID fingerprint instead of Face ID. The fingerprint sensor will be built into the phone’s power button. The iPhone SE 2 will come in either 5.5 inches or 6.1 inches.

  • iPhone 12 (5.4-inch and 6.1-inch). Both models will have OLED displays and will be able to support 5G. According to Kuo, these are the “lower-end” models and will sport dual cameras.
  • iPhone 12 Pro (6.1-inch). The first of the “higher-end” models, the iPhone 12 Pro will have 5G support as well as 5G mmWave support. We might be seeing a return to form as the higher-end models are expected to look like the iPhone 4.
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7-inch). The second higher-end model in the iPhone 12 lineup, this will also reportedly have 5G and 5G mmWave support. These higher-end models will also be sporting three rear cameras and what Chatterjee calls “world-facing 3D sensing”.

Rumored Features

The newer models might have “ProMotion” displays similar to that of the iPad Pro. There are rumors that Apple is considering having a switchable 60Hz/120Hz display for the newer models.

Another reported innovation is the addition of Vertical-Cavity-Surface-Emitting-Laser (VCSEL) to its rear camera lens for the higher-end models. The VCSEL is mainly used to assist in augmented reality and range-finding.

Another prediction by Kuo sees the coming of a completely wireless, port-free iPhone in 2021. While it’s still too early to tell if any of these predictions will come true in the coming months, Apple fans will definitely have several things to get excited about. What do you think of these rumors? What features are you looking forward to the most?