Category: Tech

Why It’s Important To Choose Electronics Components Very Carefully

In our fast-paced, constantly-connected world, it’s more important than ever to be careful about the electronics we choose to use. With so many options available, knowing which components are the best for our needs can be challenging. But choosing wisely is essential, as not all electronics are created equal. Here are seven reasons why it’s crucial to select your electronics components very carefully:

 

1) Quality Matters

Quality is one of the most important factors when choosing electronic components. After all, you want your devices to last, right? Also, low-quality components can often lead to malfunctions and other problems. So it’s crucial to ensure you’re getting high-quality parts every time.

There are many ways to determine whether or not a component is of high quality. One of the most important is to look at the manufacturer. As seen on this Power Electronics Website, a reputable company will offer you a lot of information about their products. They should also have a strong customer service team to help you with any questions or issues.

2) Compatibility Is Key

Not all electronic components are compatible; in fact, many different types of chipsets and connectors can often conflict with each other. If you ignore compatibility when selecting your components, you may end up with a device that doesn’t work or works very poorly which is why you need to learn about these services.

 

 

Compatibility is especially important when purchasing computer hardware and software. For example, a printer that is not compatible with the operating system installed on a computer may not work at all or may only partially function. To avoid problems like this, checking the system requirements for any hardware or software before making a purchase is always best.

3) Functionality Is Important

When shopping for electronics, choosing components that will function the way you need them is essential. This means considering not only the features of a product but also how well it will work with the other devices you own. It also means ensuring that all of your components are compatible. For example, if you have an iPhone and want to buy a new speaker system, you’ll want to ensure that the speakers are compatible with Apple products. If they’re not, you may have difficulty using them or getting support from the manufacturer if something goes wrong.

Similarly, if you have a Windows laptop and want to buy a new printer, you should ensure that the printer is compatible with Windows operating systems. You may find that it doesn’t work correctly if it isn’t. Choosing compatible components is especially important for electronic gadgets and appliances. These items are often complex and use many different types of technology. If they aren’t compatible, there could be all sorts of problems.

4) Price Shouldn’t Be The Only Factor

It’s often said that you get what you pay for, which is true regarding electronics components. A cheap component doesn’t mean it will work well or last long. So if quality is important to you, be prepared to spend a little bit more money on your components.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should always choose the most expensive option. Instead, it’s important to find a balance between quality and price. Figure out what you need and want from your components, and then look for something that falls within your budget.

5) Consider The Environment

When selecting electronic components, it’s essential to consider the environment in which they will be used. For example, if you’re buying a new computer, you’ll want to make sure that it’s Energy Star certified. This means that the computer meets specific energy efficiency standards the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set.

There are also many other ways to reduce the environmental impact of your electronics. One of the easiest is to choose recycled or recyclable products. For example, paper made from recycled materials is better for the environment than paper made from virgin materials.

You can also reduce the environmental impact of your electronics by choosing products with low power consumption. Many modern devices use very little power, so you don’t have to sacrifice performance to save energy.

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of your electronics is to choose products with a long lifespan. This may mean spending more on your components, but it’s worth it in the long run. The less often you have to replace your electronics, the less waste they will produce.

6) Pay Attention To Warranties

When buying electronic components, paying attention to the warranties offered is essential. This is because warranties can provide valuable protection if something goes wrong with your purchase. For example, if you buy a new printer and it stops working after just a few months, a warranty will allow you to get a replacement or a refund. Without one, you would be stuck with a useless printer.

Similarly, if you buy a new computer and it arrives with a defective part, a warranty will allow you to get the part replaced without having to pay for it yourself. Warranties can also provide peace of mind by giving you someone to turn to if something goes wrong with your purchase. If you have a problem with your electronics, you can contact the manufacturer or retailer, and they will help you to resolve the issue.In the other case, if you buy too many electronic components you can always choose a provider that can help you to sell excess electronic components so you can recover some money back.

7) Read Customer Reviews

When buying electronic components, it’s important to read customer reviews before making a purchase. This is because reviews can give you an idea of what others think about a particular product. For example, if you’re considering buying a new printer, you can read reviews to see what other people think about the model you’re interested in. This can be very helpful in making a decision.

Of course, you should take customer reviews with a grain of salt. Not all reviews are accurate or reliable. Some people may be biased or have ulterior motives. That being said, customer reviews can still be beneficial in giving you an idea of what to expect from a particular product. They can also help you identify any potential problems you may encounter.

When it comes to electronic components, it’s essential to be choosy. Quality, compatibility, functionality, and price are all crucial factors. And don’t forget to consider the environment in which your device will be used. Also, whether or not you can get a warranty on the component. By taking all of these factors into account, you can be sure to choose the best possible components for your next project.

Back to school R&R with Homedics and House of Marley

With the kids back to school and the house a bit quieter, mums and dads can enjoy some well-deserved down time with at-home pampering products from health and wellness brand Homedics. Couple this with tunes played through audio tech from eco-friendly audio brand House of Marley and you really do have all you need for the perfect chilled child-free afternoon!

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND

HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun – RRP £299.99

Available from: homedics.co.uk, Argos, Amazon

This massage gun can be used before or after working out – or simply to enjoy a focused massage. Featuring Tru Heat technology, the gun’s head can heat up to 47⁰C in under two minutes, providing relief to larger tissue areas, and promoting blood flow to the affected areas. It’s rechargeable, lightweight, cordless and comes with six interchangeable heads to ensure all muscles can be targeted. What’s more, the gun provides one and a half hours of run time, and you can switch between three intensity settings via a twist control at the base of the handle.

STRETCH THE TENSION AWAY

HoMedics STRETCH+ HEAT – RRP £299.99

Available from: homedics.co.uk, QVC, Amazon

The Stretch Range is a series of back stretching mats inspired by yoga. The STRETCH + HEAT leads the body through a series of carefully choreographed treatments designed to recreate yoga inspired movements by inflating and deflating 7 precise-controlled air chambers. HoMedics has added TruHeat technology to the STRETCH + HEAT to enhance the experience and invigorate your body or relax you after a long day. Choose the program best suited to your needs and let the STRETCH + HEAT take your body through your precisely controlled program.

AT HOME SPA TREATMENT

HoMedics Nano Facial Steamer – RRP £79.99

Available from: Homedics.co.uk, ,
Finer than regular steam, the nano sized steam particles penetrate deeper into the outer layer of skin, opening up pores. Opening pores often softens blackheads, making them easier to remove. You can also achieve better absorption of your skin care products with your new Nano Facial Steamer. Its elegant design compromising of a compact, portable base unit with an easy-to-remove travel strap makes the HoMedics Nano Facial Steamer an innovative upgrade compared to traditional facial steamers. Suitable for all skin types, be precise with the cosmetic mirror panel on your Nano Facial Steamer.

NOISE CANCELLATION NEEDED

House of Marley Redemption ANC 2 – RRP £149.99

Take your listening experience to a whole new level with the Redemption ANC 2. Experience full customisation of your sound profile (EQ), pairing name, and customised touch controls with the House of Marley app. With innovative features such as Active Noise Cancellation, Echo Noise Cancellation and Audio Passthrough mode, these earbuds empower you to have full control of your music.

WHILE THE KIDS ARE AWAY…

Get Together 2 Bluetooth Speaker– RRP £249.99

Offering smooth acoustics and an impressive bass output, the latest addition to Marley’s line-up promises 15 hours of playtime – so you can enjoy your go-to playlists wherever you are. Featuring quick-charge technology, three EQ modes and a multipair setting, the Get Together 2 Mini speaker seamlessly connects to the entire Get Together 2 range for even bigger stereo sound. Built to withstand the elements, the Get Together 2 Mini speaker is water and dust-resistant, while upholding the classic bamboo accents House of Marley is known for.

Sony introduces HT-A3000 Soundbar

Sony today announced the HT-A3000 soundbar, delivering an acclaimed 360 Spatial Sound experience ideal for a wide range of customers, that puts you at the heart of your favourite movies and music. Sony Europe also confirms the availability of its highly anticipated HT-A5000 soundbar.

Surround sound at your fingertips

The HT-A3000 features 3.1 channels, three front speakers including a dedicated centre speaker for clear dialogue, and a built-in dual subwoofer for deep bass. Coupled with Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround, the A3000 creates virtual surround sound that comes from multiple dimensions so you can fully enjoy the thrill of Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®.

360 Spatial Sound Mapping

The A3000 gives you access to Sony’s revolutionary 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology when connected to Sony’s wireless rear speakers SA-RS5 and SA-RS3S.

With 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology, you can feel sound from every direction and distance. Sound Field Optimisation uses built-in microphones to ingeniously measure the relative height and position of the soundbar and rear speakers. Based on positional information, it then creates multiple phantom speakers by synthesising sound waves. Thanks to this technology, Sony’s wide spatial sound field fills every part of the room, immersing everyone present.

Optional speakers, your way

Adding an optional wireless subwoofer that handles low frequencies allows the system to reproduce sound with greater impact and power than before. Two models are available, designed to bring out deeper bass, more vocal clarity, and extra fidelity in all types of audio content.

You can add the SA-SW5 subwoofer with 300W of deep, rich bass from a 180mm driver with passive radiator or, opt for the SA-SW3 subwoofer with 200W of sound from a compact bass reflex subwoofer with a 160mm driver.

To take your home cinema experience to new heights, add the SA-RS5 wireless rear speakers with a total 180W of wider surround sound. Featuring up-firing speakers, the SA-RS5 creates richer and more immersive 360 Spatial Sound as well as built-in battery power or, opt for the SA-RS3S wireless rear speakers with a total 100W.

Best with Sony TVs

The A3000 allows you to enhance your home cinema experience further by pairing with compatible BRAVIA XR TVs. Using the Acoustic Center Sync[5] feature, both the soundbar and BRAVIA XR TV become the centre speaker in the home cinema system. Action and sound become precisely aligned, creating complete immersion. You’ll even hear dialogue from exactly where the character is standing in the scene.

Additionally, Acoustic Center Sync works together with the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping setup to deliver a clearer dialogue and more immersive viewing experience than ever before.

Stream your favourite tracks

With the A3000, your music truly comes to life. You can discover a new way of listening with 360 Reality Audio[6] that offers an incredibly immersive live concert or studio session experience. You can also enjoy 360 Reality Audio on Amazon Music HD, nugs.net and TIDAL.

On the A3000 you can easily access popular music services like Spotify and stream all your favourite albums and playlists using Chromecast, Spotify Connect™ or Apple AirPlay 2. You can also stream wirelessly from your smartphone with Bluetooth🄬 technology or use the built-in Wi-Fi to stream music from your own devices.

The A3000 features DSEE Extreme™, which uses Edge-AI to allow for real-time restoration of all your compressed digital music files. This ensures you can restore the high-range sound that is lost in compression for a richer, more complete listening experience.

Voice control

The soundbar works with Google-assistant with Chromecast built-in or Amazon Alexa enabled devices. Just add the A3000 to your speaker group using the Google Home app to start playing music, change the volume or many other functions using just your voice.

Sleek design

The A3000 and optional speakers have been designed under a common Omnidirectional Block concept. Its sophisticated rounded edges represent a single solid block providing wide-spreading sound, while the combination of rich material textures emphasise an affinity with any living room environment.

Easy connection

The A3000 is almost ready to go straight out of the box. Simply connect to your TV using the HDMI eARC connection and power on. With USB, optical in, as well as HDMI out (eARC) and S-CENTER OUT for compatible BRAVIA TVs, you have all the connections you need to enjoy a breath-taking surround sound experience.

Pricing and availability

The A3000 will be priced at approximately €699/￡599 and is available in Europe from October 2022.

Eleven ways to reduce your laptop’s impact on the environment

The climate crisis impacts all of us, and we know that to hold a global temperature rise to less than 1.5°C, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically. Addressing the climate crisis requires breaking it down into small actions that add up to a big impact. We can all make simple choices to shrink our carbon footprint, including that all-important laptop purchase. Check out these eleven ways to live your best laptop life and reduce your carbon footprint.Tara Gale, Client Solutions Country Lead, Dell Technologies Ireland gives us 11 tips.

1. Know your numbers

Do you know your carbon footprint? It’s the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) – including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and others – that you produce as you live your life. There are several great calculators out there that can help you calculate your carbon footprint, like Carbonfootprint.com. You may be surprised by your own footprint, so knowing it will be the first step in figuring out where you can make savings. Many brands will help you compare the carbon footprint of various models to further inform your sustainability-minded buying decisions.

2. Circularity at the centre

We normally think of recycling as a waste issue, but it’s also a climate issue. For example, a recycled aluminium can has a 95% smaller carbon footprint than making that same can from virgin aluminium.

So, before you buy a new laptop, consider how you might responsibly return, refurbish or recycle your old one. Depending on the brand of your laptop, you may be able to send it back to have it recycled. Some, like Dell, will collect your old electronic goods of any brand, in any condition, and recycle them for free.

3. Before you replace it, can you repair it?

Repair is essential to keep products in use longer and out of landfills, so it’s worth checking whether a laptop is designed with repair and recycling in mind. If a component is covered in adhesive and takes hours to disassemble, it isn’t as easy to repair and may not be able to be recycled at all.

Some brands provide customers with easy access to the resources, spare parts and support they need should they wish to repair their products themselves. For example, some brands, like Dell, make it easy to access information online, including manuals and downloads that keep products performing. Publishing their parts list online means customers can order parts to conduct their own repairs. Dell has even created an augmented reality app that provides step-by-step part replacement instructions for almost 100 products for many customer-addressable issues.

4. Level up

Many people think about changing their computer to support the latest applications or games. Before buying new, check whether you can upgrade components like memory, storage, graphics cards, or the CPU to instantly extend your device’s usual lifespan.

5. Old is the new, new

If you have decided on a new laptop, why not consider refurbished? Going through an official refurb programme removes the uncertainty of buying through peer-to-peer websites. You can have peace of mind with a warranty that protects your device and your studies.

6. Lean, mean (sustainably built) machine

If buying new, what is it made of? There are lots of materials that can be recycled to create a new laptop. Recyclable and renewable materials, including tree-based bioplastic upcycled from the papermaking industry, reclaimed carbon fibre, post-consumer recycled plastic, and new bio-based rubber feet made from castor bean oil can all be used to create sustainable laptops now.

The team at Dell uses recycled plastic in nearly every hardware product they make, and we’re expanding our use into more components throughout our devices. Up to 85% of the materials used in our monitors are made from recycled materials We have also reclaimed carbon fiber for several years now and it’s just a fantastic material to work with. This carbon fiber is left over scrap material from the aerospace industry and we blend it with post consumer recycled plastic and bioplastic to make the lids and bottom base of some of our notebooks.

7. Energise your coursework with energy efficiency

You’ve got energy-efficient LED light bulbs in your house – but how energy efficient is your laptop? Energy-efficient devices help cut your electricity bills and reduce the amount needed. Thankfully, there are some helpful standards to tell you how efficient any device is, like the EPEAT rating (the Green Electronics Council’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool). It’s the most comprehensive tool for evaluating overall environmental criteria and makes it easy to evaluate the life cycle implications of a product.

8. Don’t feed the vampires

Reducing energy use is a simple solution with environmental and economic benefits. According to recent studies, household appliances use 20% electricity when they are left on standby. PCs are some of Ireland’s top energy vampires, so switch off your laptop at the mains when you’re not using it – even the standby light uses energy.

Try not to over-charge your laptop unnecessarily, too. Unplugging it as soon as it’s charged will save energy and help your battery last longer. You can also adjust your PC’s Power settings to reduce the energy impact and save battery life by optimizing things like backlit-keyboard, screen brightness and adjusting your settings for “Best Battery Life.”

9. What’s on the outside counts too

What about packaging? In Ireland, 1.1 million tonnes of packaging waste were produced in 2019 alone,  but only 28% of this amount is recycled. Therefore making sustainable choices based on packaging will also help you select a more sustainable laptop. Check whether a company uses styrofoam or other packaging materials that are difficult or impossible to recycle. Many companies now use reclaimed plastics and natural products like bamboo to make more sustainable packaging, so you can go ahead and responsibly recycle or compost the packaging or use it to send your old tech for recycling. Dell’s packaging for example is made from 100% recycled or renewable materials – and is 100% recyclable.

10. Future-proof

If you want to play your part in preserving the environment, one of the easiest things you can do to help is preserve your laptop – that means protecting it and extending its lifespan. So, update your software regularly to optimise your PC’s efficiency and avoid viruses, treat the battery well, and keep your laptop clean!

While software can’t help get rid of fingerprints on a screen, it can help you keep your energy-efficient laptop running like new. Dell’s SupportAssist, for example, is an intelligent technology that runs on your PC and removes viruses, detects issues, optimises settings and tells you when you need to make updates. All of which keep your laptop healthier, reducing the need to replace or refurbish/recycle.

To protect your choice of sustainable laptop when on the move, consider purchasing a laptop case. For a double-whammy sustainability choice, there are cases on the market that are eco-conscious in their own right, like the Ecoloop Pro Backpack, which is made with recycled ocean-bound plastics.

11. Variety is the spice of your device

How multifunctional can you make your device? For example, can you make your laptop work for school, work, and entertainment? If you’re big on gaming, look for a PC that can take a marathon session without breaking a sweat and can also keep you focused when you have those tight deadlines. You could even consider repurposing old tablets or phones as home management devices for alarm systems or other uses.

The bottom line is that, as consumers, we have the power to influence how seriously companies take the issue of our collective carbon footprint. Through our choices to reward companies with strong sustainability programmes, we can take a concrete first step towards our push for effective climate change solutions.

A Beginner’s Guide to Web Proxy Servers

With the recent developments in networking, sharing data and information has taken on a more crucial role, and network security is in charge of ensuring data security while being transmitted. You will learn about one such component of network security for the data and system in this post about the best proxy servers, such as GeoSurf.

Overview: What is a web proxy?

A proxy server is a middle server that obtains information from an online source, like a webpage, on behalf of a user. They serve as extra security barriers for data, guarding users against risky online activities. 

Depending on their setup and nature, proxy servers can be used for many different things. Typical applications include making it easier to use the Internet anonymously, getting around geo-blocking, and controlling web requests.

In light of a legitimate concern for data security and network effectiveness, present-day proxy servers perform numerous extra errands and send web requests. As well as filling in as a Firewall and web channel, proxy servers offer shared network connections and data security to speed up routine requests. A solid proxy server safeguards clients and the network from the malignant substance on the open web.

Five Reasons You Should Use An Online Web Proxy

You will learn in this part that proxies can be helpful for practically everyone in a variety of circumstances.

1. Control internet access

Proxy servers are employed in businesses to stop staff members from visiting unsecure websites. They might be utilized to limit employee internet access within the company. Now that you have complete control over an employee’s internet use, you may also restrict websites and content unsuitable for the employees. 

These servers can also be used to record the employee’s online activities. You can learn more about your employees’ online activity in this way. Because the employees know that the company tracks and monitors their internet actions, this proxy server feature will help the company avoid breaches and criminal behaviors.

2. Improve privacy

It is challenging for other servers to track your actions when you network with a proxy server and send requests to them. If you used them to access a website, for instance, the website would use your IP address to access it and would not be able to identify your proxy IP address. In this instance, it safeguards your privacy while shielding you from viruses and other hacker-caused data breaches. Your online behavior cannot be tracked or watched by other servers while you are utilizing the server.

Your identity would remain hidden, and your privacy would be improved with the proxy server. You no longer have to worry about being traced or monitored while enjoying superior privacy. Your online identity is no longer visible, and it will also make it easier for you to conduct business discreetly. Due to the fact that your IP address remains hidden, nobody would be able to follow your whereabouts or online activities.

3. Access blocked sites

While conducting internet searches, you may have noticed that some websites’ content is restricted due to geographical limitations or copyright difficulties. The proxy server is mainly used to access sites that are prohibited or restricted. Before granting access to the website, the websites check your IP address for location information and other details. Since no website uses your IP address when you browse the Internet, you are not subject to any restrictions.

4. Improve speed and save bandwidth

Because the proxy server conserves a significant amount of bandwidth and compresses internet data, it might boost internet speed. These servers can free up bandwidth when the network is overloaded due to high traffic volumes, so you won’t experience any slowdowns when accessing the Internet. To boost employee productivity, businesses deploy proxy servers to speed up internet access. With the proxy servers, you wouldn’t experience poor speed or crowded networks. It is the best choice for connections with prolonged loading times.

5. Improve security

As a firewall and filter, a proxy server serves these purposes. The choice of a proxy for data and privacy protection is up to the end-user or the network administrator. In this, the data entering and leaving your computer or network is examined. Then it applies regulations to stop you from having to reveal your digital address to everyone. By hackers or other nefarious individuals, only the proxy’s IP address is visible. No one online has direct access to your personal information, such as files, timetables, or schedules, without your unique IP address.

Conclusion

Proxies can be helpful in a variety of situations, such as helping to avoid listening in on conversations, manage traffic, and get around local and regional restrictions. Additionally, they help with competitor intelligence and account advertising on social media. 

To ensure trouble-free functioning, it’s crucial to select exceptionally high-quality proxies. Doing this will minimize the chance of blocking and personal information leaks and may expect top performance.

How to use Filters and Effects on TikTok to add Flair to Your Videos

In 2022, if you don’t find ways to enhance your videos, they probably won’t get watched. That is because everyone on social networks have become professional video editors, thanks to the variety of filters and effects that can be found on these apps. On TikTok, the way to create originally, and be viewed more, is certainly to use them both on your videos. Here is what you need to know, if you wish to add flair to your posts.

As Many Effects and Filters as you can ever desire

The truth is, there are so many effects and filters on TikTok, that it will take you a while to try them all. However, once you do so (or at least tried a few), you should know that there is an important element to keep in mind when using TikTok filters: You want to stick to one or only a few, so that people can recognize your videos easily. Although you may think it is fun to change all the time, it is not the best way to get followers and to keep them viewing your creations, afterwards. Stability is key, and it is true about filters on TikTok, as well.

How to go about adding Filters to Your TikTok Videos

Filters are the first thing you should play around with. You will find them on the top right side of the screen, when you are in a “Create” mode. So, once you have started the app, jump into this mode right away, which you can enter at the bottom of the screen, right in the centre space. Once you have located the filter tab, click on it and a menu will appear, this time at the bottom of your screen. You can now take a look at all the options you have, by swiping. If you are looking for something more precise, in one of the categories, just click on the tab instead of swiping, and you will see the various options, including Portrait and Landscape.

Now that you have found the filter that you want, and you have selected it, you can choose its intensity, by sliding the grader to the left (less intense) or to the right (more intense). Do so until you have found the right one for you, and start recording your video. If you want to close the filter, just click on the “Stop” icon, on the left side.

How to go about adding Effects to Your TikTok Videos

Once TikTok is on, click on the “Record” button, at the bottom. Once that is done, you can now tap on the “Effect” button, also at the bottom of the screen. To choose the effect that you would like to use, first choose the category you want, by swiping left or right. There is more than a dozen, such as green screen, music and animals. Inside them, you will often have up to 50 different elements to choose from. Once you click on one, it can be used automatically, for the most part, while some will require additional inputs on your side.

Years & Years announce homecoming show at OVO Arena London will be available to stream in partnership with On Air

Fresh from a performance on The Other Stage at Glastonbury last night, this morning Years & Years and On Air announce that fans around the globe will be able to experience Years & Years homecoming London show from OVO Arena, London.

Recorded on 26th May 2022 as part of the Night Call Tour, the show will be available to watch from 7pm on 11th August.  After this time, it will be made available to watch On Demand. Tickets are available now from the On Air website – https://onair.events.  

As Years & Years, Olly Alexander has become one of the world’s most trailblazing modern pop stars. Across three hugely successful albums the singer, actor, fashion icon and cultural vanguard has earned 5 Brit Award nominations and surpassed 5 billion streams.

Bringing the subversive, hedonistic and ultimately feel-good world around number-1-charting album ‘Night Call’ to vibrant life in stunning 4K UHD Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, tickets to watch Years & Years ‘Night Call Tour’ are available now – https://onair.events.  

Talking about the show, Olly explains “I’m so happy and excited to share this performance from the Night Call Tour. I grew up loving concert videos of Britney, the Spice Girls and Madonna so this is literally a dream come true. This show, created with Theo Addams, is a delirious night out that begins in a phone box and ends with a cosmic impalement.  (there are toilet cubicles, motorbikes, a magic chair and a giant bed along the way). I had the best time. It’s not possible for me to physically take this show around the world so it’s a great feeling to have it captured like this and to be able to share it with everybody! The Night Call Tour is a massive team effort and I’m so grateful to everybody for putting their all into making it.  It’s so exciting to be able to share it like this ! I hope you enjoy the show ;)” 

As part of their ongoing partnership with One Tree Planted, a non-profit charity on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees, On Air will be planting one tree for every ticket purchased from their website for the Years & Years ‘Night Call Tour’ show.

Robot helps reveal how ants pass on knowledge

Scientists have developed a small robot to understand how ants teach one another.

The team built the robot to mimic the behaviour of rock ants that use one-to-one tuition, in which an ant that has discovered a much better new nest can teach the route there to another individual.

The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology today, confirm that most of the important elements of teaching in these ants are now understood because the teaching ant can be replaced by a machine.

Key to this process of teaching is tandem running where one ant literally leads another ant quite slowly along a route to the new nest. The pupil ant learns the route sufficiently well that it can find its own way back home and then lead a tandem-run with another ant to the new nest, and so on.

 

Prof Nigel Franks of Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences said: “Teaching is so important in our own lives that we spend a great deal of time either instructing others or being taught ourselves. This should cause us to wonder whether teaching actually occurs among non-human animals. And, in fact, the first case in which teaching was demonstrated rigorously in any other animal was in an ant.” The team wanted to determine what was necessary and sufficient in such teaching. If they could build a robot that successfully replaced the teacher, this should show that they largely understood all the essential elements in this process.

The researchers built a large arena so there was an appreciable distance between the ants’ old nest, which was deliberately made to be of low quality, and a new much better one that ants could be led to by a robot. A gantry was placed atop the arena to move back and forth with a small sliding robot attached to it, so that the scientists could direct the robot to move along either straight or wavy routes. Attractive scent glands, from a worker ant, were attached to the robot to give it the pheromones of an ant teacher.

Prof Franks explained: “We waited for an ant to leave the old nest and put the robot pin, adorned with attractive pheromones, directly ahead of it. The pinhead was programmed to move towards the new nest either on a straight path or on a beautifully sinuous one. We had to allow for the robot to be interrupted in its journey, by us, so that we could wait for the following ant to catch up after it had looked around to learn landmarks.”

“When the follower ant had been led by the robot to the new nest, we allowed it to examine the new nest and then, in its own time, begin its homeward journey. We then used the gantry automatically to track the path of the returning ant.”

The team found that the robot had indeed taught the route successfully to the apprentice ant. The ants knew their way back to the old nest whether they had taken a winding path or a straight one.

Prof Franks explained: “A straight path might be quicker but a winding path would provide more time in which the following ant could better learn landmarks so that it could find its way home as efficiently as if it had been on a straight path.

“Crucially, we could compare the performance of the ants that the robot had taught with ones that we carried to the site of the new nest and that had not had an opportunity to learn the route. The taught ants found their way home much more quickly and successfully.”

The experiments were conducted by undergraduates Jacob Podesta, who is now a PhD student at York, and Edward Jarvis, who was also a Masters student at Professor Nigel Franks’s Lab. The gantry programming was accomplished by Dr. Alan Worley and all the statistical analyses were driven by Dr. Ana Sendova-Franks.

Their approach should make it possible to interrogate further exactly what is involved in successful teaching.

Paper:

‘Robotic communication with ants’ by Nigel R. Franks, Jacob A. Podesta, Edward C. Jarvis, Alan Worley and Ana B. Sendova-Franks in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Featured image credit – Prof Norasmah Basari and Nigel R Franks

Alibaba Stock: Is It A Good Buy?

In every marketplace, two crucial things happen; it is either you are buying or selling. However, someone must be willing to sell what you want to buy. The same thing applies to Alibaba stock; if it is available in the marketplace, you can purchase the shares. However, some things need to be considered by a buyer before investing in any company’s stock. 

Although Alibaba is a Chinese-based company in a country with the second largest economy, it does not mean it will be a good buy. Before purchasing Alibaba stock, you need to study the Alibaba stock forecast, which will guide you through making your decision. After going through this guide, you will be able to make your decision on whether Alibaba stock is a good buy or not.

 

Three Reasons to Buy Alibaba Stock

Alibaba is among the giant companies in the e-commerce industry, and if you are not sure whether to buy its shares, these reasons should convince you:

  • Dominant business in China
  • Stellar financials
  • The stock is a bargain

Dominant Business in China

Alibaba hugely influences many businesses in China, including having a 33 percent ownership of Ant Group. Based on the evaluation of the worth of each company in the e-commerce industry, Alibaba has the highest value, which amounts to 69 percent. 

In a year, there are about 11.3 billion purchases through Alibaba sites which are actively used in China by approximately 912 million people. About 1.17 billion people were active users of the sites in 2020, and the purchases were about 1.2 trillion.

Stellar Financials

The growth the company is experiencing is one of the reasons why the stock of the company is worth buying. The profit made by Alibaba in 2020 is 109 billion dollars which is a 41 percent increase compared to the year before. Likewise, during the first quarter of 2021, the company realized a profit of about 32 million dollars. 

Based on the Alibaba stock forecast, the company is estimated to make a 30 percent increase in revenue in 2021, which is 143 billion dollars. Investors buy the stock because the company can generate money through various means. 

The management of the company’s financials makes it flexible such that it can spread its wings either by acquiring an existing business or creating a new one. Since it is ascertained that once the profit increases, the stock price will also increase.

The Stock is a Bargain

Once many companies, especially the ones listed in the S&P 500 start increasing in value, their stock price also increases such that investors that want to buy the company shares will buy at a high price. Although Alibaba is growing, you can still purchase the company’s stock cheaply. However, it is vital to study the Alibaba stock forecast to know the best time to buy the shares at a cheap amount.

Why Is It Not A Good Buy?

There is a decrease in the company’s stock due to the political interference the company faced after the founder of Alibaba criticized the China financial system. The criticism also led to the blocking of the IPO for Ant Group. 

Furthermore, because Alibaba Group Holding Limited is structured, it is possible to break the law in China. The company had to pay a fine of about 2.8 billion dollars to the regulatory body in China after being charged with anti-competitive practices. 

All these have negative effects on the company’s stock price, and the continuous involvement of the regulators can further worsen it. Recently, there have been some controversies surrounding the disappearance of the founder of the company. Many investors are skeptical of whether to invest in the company or not because they are not sure of what might happen to the company since it is locally based in China.

Conclusion

Although Alibaba is a leading company in the e-commerce industry, positioning it as a good investment opportunity, its political risks make it a bad investment. The uncertainty prevents some from buying the stock and makes some sell the stock. Whether the stock price increases or decreases, research the market before buying or selling. You can also check the stock’s financial information and use the Alibaba stock forecast.