#digital applications

[dr-s--art]

I forgot to post this! For a project, we had to make an arthropod with a name that started with the letter we were assigned. I was assigned the letter P so I made a peacock mantis shrimp. (The top one is mine & the bottom is just a reference photo)

[gorobagaikwad]

Crowdsourced Testing Market Size and Demand Analysis in China

The Crowdsourced Testing Market in China is gaining momentum as organizations seek flexible and scalable testing solutions. Valued at USD 158 million in 2024, the market is forecast to reach USD 343 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 14.2%.

Market segmentation shows strong demand from mobile application testing, web application testing, and IoT testing. The Crowdsourced Testing Market demand is particularly high among startups and SMEs that require cost-efficient testing without maintaining large in-house QA teams.

The Crowdsourced Testing Market overview highlights the growing importance of usability and localization testing. With China’s diverse user base, enterprises rely on crowdsourced testers to ensure applications meet cultural, linguistic, and functional expectations.

Performance assurance remains a critical factor. According to the China performance testing market, rising traffic volumes and cloud adoption are driving the need for scalable testing frameworks.

While concerns around intellectual property protection persist, improved contractual frameworks and secure testing environments are addressing these issues. Overall, the Crowdsourced Testing Market outlook in China remains strong, supported by digital expansion and quality-driven development.

[earaercircular]

Sustainable, innovative and smart: 3 trends at IFA 2023

Exciting technologies, entertainment solutions and the latest devices are IFA classics. But something has been added: the technology fair takes a closer look at the environment, resources and energy.

Fully booked: The IFA[1] (September 1 to 5) couldn't always claim that. But this year the 26 exhibition halls are completely occupied with 2059 exhibitors from 48 countries, according to the organisers.

The exhibition areas House of Robots and Sustainability Village are brand new at the IFA. This leaves no doubt as to what topics consumer electronics, household appliances and the like are currently dealing with. An overview of three trends under the Berlin radio tower:

1. Sustainability and renewable energy

Many new devices will be shown at the fair that contain reused or at least recyclable materials. Because in order to be able to survive in the saturated smartphone market, manufacturers need new sales arguments. The industry association and IFA co-organiser gfu[2] analyses that “sustainability is a key element in securing growth”.

The market researcher GfK has observed that manufacturers are now increasingly addressing environmental aspects, also in marketing: the most common issues are ecological packaging, recycled material in and the CO2 footprint of products.

Durable, repairable and recyclable

Of course, the longevity of devices must also be taken into account when considering sustainability, which depends to a large extent on software updates, basic repairability and the availability of spare parts. And devices should of course be recycled at the end of their life cycle.

The smartphone manufacturer Fairphone[3] has made these points its business model. The latest Fairphone 5, which costs 700 euros, can be seen at the IFA. It is largely made from recycled materials and, like its predecessors, has a modular structure so that you can repair it yourself with just a screwdriver.

The manufacturer's promise to deliver the next five operating system updates for the Android 13 device and eight years of security updates is downright spectacular.

The Harman brand JBL[4] uses fully recycled fabric, 85 percent recycled plastic and 50 percent recycled aluminum in its three new WiFi speakers. The design of the devices called Authentics evokes associations with the 1970s. They offer streaming support for Airplay and Chromecast, as well as room-specific, automatic sound optimization.

Two language assistants can be used at the same time

Brand new is the possibility of using two different language assistants more or less simultaneously, namely Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant, which even cooperate for this purpose. The top model Authentics 500 (630 euros) also delivers Dolby Atmos surround sound.

Renewable energies are also a hot topic at the fair, especially for consumers in the form of small solar power plants. The manufacturer Technaxx,[5] for example, has developed a table (700 euros) for balconies and terraces, the top of which consists of solar modules that deliver up to 410 watts when the table is not in use. And Jackery[6] brought the solar generator 300 Plus (450 euros) to Berlin. It consists of a small, foldable 40-watt solar panel with a battery station for storing electricity.

2. Display and audio innovations

According to GfK, high-quality products with innovative features are also in demand. This is clearly evident in new TVs with OLED displays, but also in general in new TVs with innovative features. Some of these will be presented at the IFA, such as the Auracast technology[7].

Auracast makes it possible to stream the sound from a device wirelessly via Bluetooth to any number of nearby receivers, such as headphones, at the same time. So far, this has worked via Bluetooth with a maximum of two receivers at the same time.

Samsung has announced corresponding updates for current smart TVs (2023 Neo-QLED and Micro-LED series) and the in-ear headphones Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. And Philips is bringing the technology to its new Fidelio L4 headphones and Fidelio T2 in-ears. Generally, devices must support Bluetooth 5.3 with Low Energy (LE) audio to play Auracast,

Things are also working at Dolby[8]: the audio laboratory is demonstrating Atmos Flexconnect[9] in Berlin, a new technology that expands the TV sound system with wirelessly connected additional speakers. The Atmos spatial sound is then to be intelligently adapted to each room and each box placement and performance. From 2024, cooperation partner TCL[10] will supply compatible televisions, as well as the necessary loudspeakers.

The technology company Xperi[11] is setting up a similar system with DTS Play-Fi Home Theater. Compatible TVs should come from Philips first by 2024.

New camping TV with WiFi

Speaking of televisions: they usually run on 220 volts at home from the socket. Because campers on the road can do very little with this tension, Thomson builds a camping TV (24 or 32 inches) with WLAN that can be hung on the caravan wall or placed on the camping table with two adjustable feet but also runs with 12 or 24 volt on-board power.

LG has also come up with the lifestyle display Stanbyme Go[12] for on the go, which comes with a speaker system in a stylish case and has rechargeable batteries for up to three hours of operation. When you open the case, the adjustable screen turns on automatically. Laid flat on the table, digital board games also run on the touch display. Otherwise, videos, films or music can be streamed from the smartphone to the suitcase display without any problems.

And the IFA would not be the IFA if there were no gigantic new televisions to see: Under the motto "Big in Berlin", Samsung is presenting two new 98-inch models (4K QLED Q80C and 8K Neo QLED QNC990), which with their almost 2 .50 meters screen diagonal are now really wall-filling.

The new Samsung projector "The Freestyle 2"[13] offers even more powerful images but saves space. Couple two of these together and you get a 120-inch portrait image and a 160-inch landscape image, which should result in a huge 21:9 cinema screen horizontally.

3. Connected and smart living

The Sustainability Village also houses the House of Smart Living, which focuses on intelligent energy control and automation of devices and buildings. A lot here revolves around the smart home standard Matter,[14] which has been ready for almost a year.

Matter is now waiting to be integrated into as many devices as possible so that they can be easily set up via QR code, used across manufacturers and combined. Technically, Matter is based on LAN, WLAN, the Thread network protocol and partly on Bluetooth LE (from version 4.2).

For a long time, consumers had to commit themselves to one smart home provider and its components. But now the chances for Matter are good in the smart home world, which has so far been fragmented in terms of standards. Amazon, Apple, Google, LG and Samsung are also active in the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)[15], which has several hundred member companies and has defined Matter.

These manufacturers have already made many of their devices, from televisions to smart displays, as well as their operating systems and smart home apps, fit for Matter so that compatible switches, door locks, sensors and lamps, as well as household appliances from a wide variety of manufacturers, can be controlled via these control centres can.

Or smart sockets: a switchable WLAN socket for 15 euros is the first Matter product from accessories specialist Hama. Admittedly a simple part, but one with which almost any device can be integrated into the smart home.

There is also news from Signifiy[16], whose smart Philips Hue lights are widely used. The manufacturer is adding security cameras and a contact sensor for doors, windows or cupboards to its range, but above all has announced Matter compatibility for autumn 2023: for all Hue products via the Philips Hue Bridge[17].

Source

Dirk Averesch, dpa, Nachhaltig, innovativ und smart: 3 Trends auf der IFA 2023, in: Süddeutsche Zeitung, 31-08-2023; https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/messe-ifa-nachhaltig-innovativ-und-smart-3-trends-auf-der-ifa-2023-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-230831-99-26827

[1] The IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (International radio exhibition Berlin, a.k.a. 'Berlin Radio Show') is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. Between 1924 and 1939 it was an annual event, but from 1950 it was held every other year until 2005. Since then it has become an annual event again, held in September. Today it is one of world's leading trade shows for consumer electronics and home appliances.

[2] Eleven leading consumer electronics companies founded gfu in 1973. The name of the organisation at that time was also its goal: The Society for the Promotion of Consumer Electronics in Germany. Since then, many companies in the home appliance industry have become gfu’s partners, reflecting the changes in the industry. This also prompted the company name to change to gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH.

[3] Read also:= https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/664410703921381376/the-fairphone-4-in-practical-trial?source=share

[4] JBL is an American subsidiary audio equipment manufacturer headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. JBL serves the customer home and professional market. The professional market includes studios, installed/tour/portable sound, cars, music production, DJ, cinema markets, etc. JBL is owned by Harman International, itself a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

[5] Technaxx is a German manufacturer of solar / energie safing products, multimedia, security and lifestyle products as well as car accessories with its headquarters in Schöneck. We have been on the market since 2002. https://www.technaxx.de/about/

[6] Founded in 2012 in California, USA, Jackery was born with a vision to offer green energy to everyone, everywhere. In 2016, Jackery launched the world's first outdoor portable power stations and, two years later, developed the world's first portable solar panels. Having introduced solar generators to the great outdoors, Jackery fulfills the power needs of every nature-lover, inspiring them to explore further and seek more extraordinary experiences than before. We encourage global adventurers to enjoy the outdoors sustainably, working together to protect our planet and build a better future. https://www.jackery.com/pages/about-us

[7] Auracast™ broadcast audio is a new Bluetooth® capability that will deliver life-changing audio experiences. It will let you share your audio, unmute your world, and hear your best, enhancing the way you engage with others and the world around you.  https://www.bluetooth.com/auracast/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwusunBhCYARIsAFBsUP_0Pt_9Pff07GPpaTE0VF-SnMhtQHFVhwwxFPPngXGVa4HYk2cBdmwaAqGOEALw_wcB

[8] Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (often shortened to Dolby Labs and known simply as Dolby) is a company specializing in audio noise reduction, audio encoding/compression, spatial audio, and HDR imaging. Dolby licenses its technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers.

[9] Dolby Atmos FlexConnect delivers the flexibility to place your wireless speakers anywhere you choose, intelligently optimizing your Dolby Atmos experience for your seating location, TV, and speaker setup. https://www.dolby.com/technologies/dolby-atmos/dolby-atmos-flexconnect/#gref

[10] TCL Technology (originally an abbreviation for Telephone Communication Limited) is a Chinese electronics company headquartered in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells consumer products including television sets, mobile phones, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, and small electrical appliances. In 2010, it was the world's 25th-largest consumer electronics producer. It became the second-largest television manufacturer by market share by 2019.

[11] Xperi Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in San Jose, California, that develops software solutions for consumer electronics and connected cars, as well as media platform solutions for video service over broadband. The company is organized into four business units: Pay-TV, Consumer Electronics, Connected Car, and Media Platform. Xperi’s brands include DTS®, HD Radio™, TiVo®, and IMAX Enhanced (an IMAX and DTS partnership). Xperi Inc. was formerly part of Xperi Holding Corporation,[2] which was itself the result of significant M&A over many years, including publicly traded firms such as DTS, Inc. and TiVo Corporation

[12] Few people will go on holiday and put a television in their suitcase. Still, there may well be a market for the LG StanbyMe Go, a television that is equipped with AirPlay 2 and is already built into a case as standard. It will be on sale in the United States from August and in Europe from September. This television is remarkable: it is a 27-inch 1080p LED touchscreen TV with a built-in battery that lasts up to three hours. There are also 20 Watt speakers. The size is a bit small, but the specs are very reasonable: the StanbyMe Go offers support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, something you often only see with the better TVs.

[13] Samsung’s original Freestyle portable projector had a ton of promise, but it really fell apart in the execution and was severely overpriced for the hardware specs on offer. Still, the blueprint was encouraging, and it seemed like just the kind of product that Samsung could nail the second time around — or so I hoped. But back at CES in January, the company showed off a barely changed revision of the Freestyle that addressed virtually none of my quibbles with the original. It was updated with Samsung’s latest TV software, which meant owners would be able to access the Gaming Hub and various cloud gaming services from Xbox, Nvidia, and more. Samsung also demonstrated a neat “smart edge blending” trick whereby you could combine two Freestyle projectors for a massive 150-inch picture. https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/17/23835667/samsung-freestyle-gen-2-portable-projector-now-available

[14] Matter originated from the Zigbee Alliance, a protocol that users of Philips Hue lamps, for example, have been familiar with for some time. Matter allows devices to communicate with each other, regardless of who the manufacturer is. Apple, Google and Amazon have had a partnership since 2019 under the name 'CHIP'. Matter originated from this group. Matter will ensure that almost all your smart home devices work together seamlessly.

[15] The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), formerly the Zigbee Alliance, is a group of companies that maintain and publish the Zigbee and Matter standard, along with several others. The name Zigbee is a registered trademark of this group, and is not a single technical standard. The organization publishes application profiles that allow multiple OEM vendors to create interoperable products. The relationship between IEEE 802.15.4 and Zigbee is similar to that between IEEE 802.11 and the Wi-Fi Alliance.

[16] Signify N.V., formerly known as Philips Lighting N.V., is a Dutch multinational lighting corporation formed in 2016 as a result of the spin-off of the lighting division of Philips, by means of an I.P.O.[2] The company manufactures electric lights, light fixtures and control systems for consumers, professionals and the IoT. In 2018, Philips Lighting changed its name to Signify. The company still produces lights under the Philips brand.

[17] The Hue Bridge is the brain of the Philips Hue smart lighting system. You can connect up to fifty lamps and accessories with it. Plug it in and use the Hue app to set routines, timers, custom light scenes and much more.

[ddregpharma]

Rise of Digital Applications in the Healthcare Sector- DDReg Pharma

The healthcare sector is experiencing a rise in digital applications, including telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and electronic health records. These technologies improve patient outcomes and access to care. Discover the growing importance of digital applications in healthcare with DDReg Pharma's latest blog.

[earaercircular]

Zaragoza improves its position on the 'smart city' ladder

One of the technological proposals of the city and advertising banners in the neighbourhood of Las Delicias, in Zaragoza

A city council project seeks to promote local commerce and hospitality hand in hand with technology

Trompe l'oeil, immersive experiences and digital urban art have filled the streets of Zaragoza[1] with the aim of promoting local commerce and hospitality. The council has decided to bet on the digitisation of numerous spaces in the city, thus revitalising the neighbourhoods through technology and innovation.

In July, a contest was held to address the digitisation of two areas of the city: Delicias[2] and central Zaragoza. The companies Imascono[3], HMY[4], Nabegos[5], Timblo[6], Spaceretail[7], Libelium[8] and the Federation of Commerce and Services Entrepreneurs of Zaragoza and Province (ECOS)[9] were selected. A project with a global budget of 20 million euros, of which 14 million have already been executed between 2020-2022 and the remaining 6 million will be invested in 2023.

With the work of Imascono, an immersive activity is offered in which, by means of a mobile phone and a QR code painted on the street, pedestrians can access an old train carriage to learn from the inside the history that links the neighbourhood to the railway. They offer an immersive street experience in hybrid art in which the user points his mobile phone at each painting, thus showing an edit mask that represents the neighbourhood where it is located. “Faithfully representing the cultural diversity of Delicias is a great responsibility. We wanted each tradition to have its bit, its mask, in augmented reality”, explains Héctor Paz, its CEO.

Hand in hand with HMY, the streets of the city have been filled with smart cubes, an initiative that reuses shipping containers to display content ranging from three-dimensional art to the history of Aragon. In addition, between January and February, holographic screens will be installed at various locations in the city, as well as a large reflector in the vertical garden of Delicias.

"The objective is to combine technology and nature, following the concepts of digital transformation and ecological transition," says Alberto Fantova, its director of innovation and strategy.

For its part, Nabegos works, in collaboration with Zaragoza Esencial[10], to turn the urban environment into a game board that invites you to walk around the city, overcoming challenges, and thus accessing prizes and promotions: "Users will be able to enjoy an interaction with the urban environment that will allow you to immerse yourself in 24 different adventures by scanning QR codes located in different locations. There are currently two gymkhanas[11] on the shopping malls in central Zaragoza and Delicias street”, highlights its general manager, Carlos Cosculluela.

Until now, experiential marketing had been limited to sports fields or as a brand location, so using it as a tourism strategy is a risky proposal on the part of the Zaragoza City Council's Department of Economy, Innovation and Employment, although it is also a pioneer in Europe.

“The streets are filling with life and new spaces that change the image of the city. Both Zaragozans and tourists walk through them, enjoy the technological experiences and discover the shops in the area”, concludes Héctor Paz.

Spanish smart cities

There are currently four Spanish cities that are included in the Smart City Index, the world ranking of smart cities from the Swiss business school IMD.[12]

Bilbao. Located in tenth place thanks to its good score in indicators such as public transport, the provision of medical services, recycling services in terms of structures, improvement in the management of online medical appointments, cultural activities and online shopping for shows and museums.

Zaragoza. The Aragonese capital ranks 15th. The most valued aspects are related to basic sanitation, recycling services, green spaces, cultural activities or the offer of schools, among others.

Madrid. The capital is ranked 34th. Those surveyed value the green spaces, the cultural offer and the online purchase of tickets for shows, as well as the availability of job search services.

Barcelona. The Ciudad Condal is ranked 58. It stands out in the offer of cultural activities, online shopping to access shows and museums, the availability of job search services and learning opportunities, as well as in the technological management of medical appointments.

Source

Marta Gonzales Martin, Zaragoza escala posiciones como ‘smart city’, in; El País, 2-1-2023, https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2023/01/02/companias/1672659730_246225.html

[1] Zaragoza,[a] also known in English as Saragossa, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributaries, the Huerva and the Gállego, roughly in the center of both Aragon and the Ebro basin.

[2] Delicias is an urban district of Zaragoza, Spain. It is the most populated district in the municipality. It has an area of 3.284606 km2 and, as of 2020, a population of 104,389 inhabitants. An extremely densely populated working class district, Delicias welcomed in the second half of the 20th century rural migrants from Spain and, in the 21st century, foreign migrants (about a 25% of the population has foreign citizenship). The process of urbanization was somewhat chaotic, with narrow streets.

[3] Imascono is a Zaragoza-based creative technologies studio, specialised in Extended Reality. It innovates and develops technological experiences through entertainment. https://imascono.com/en

[4] HMY is the Zaragoza-based international leader in global services with a 360º vision and innovation for retail. The trusted partner to accompany brands & retailers that need global account management with a local implementation. HMY is leader in engineering, manufacturing and assembly of furniture for retail. They offer concept & design services, site & project management, value engineering as well as technological and lighting solutions. HMY manages 12 production units in France, Spain, UK, Turkey, Brazil, Malaysia, India and Mexico. Our factories have been certified as per the latest international environment standard ISO 14001; it has undergone SMETA social auditing and forms part of the SEDEX organisation. https://www.hmy-group.com/nosotros/

[5] Founded in Zaragoza in 1979, Nabegos is the first Aragonese center dedicated to DIY wood. It specialises in the design, decoration and furnishing of commercial facilities, progressively becoming service providers for the fair sector. They are an experienced, multidisciplinary, creative and solvent team. Its business structure is flexible and versatile. They have commercial alliances that allow them to optimize their offer. https://www.nabegos.com/nosotros/

[6] Timblo is a Barcelona-based ethic company supporting the local communities. Though our app we help you achieve a happier healthier life, supporting your transformation week after week according to your goal with all you need at your doorstep (from groceries, to exercise, to live session with experts). Timblo is a holistic digital platform, with unprecedented level of personalization that brings values and integrity to the delivery market, we help you bloom while we make the community around you better. https://timblo.es/

[7] SpaceRetail is the Madrid-based 1st CUSTOMIZED PLATFORM to manage points of sale. It controles and visualises what happens in points of sale, either in one’s own stores or in multi-brand stores. It improve processes with suppliers, and save time and money by managing sales points from a single platform. It analyses all the information generated in the POS, centralized in the platform, to make strategic decisions. https://www.spaceretail.net/en/

[8] Libelium are Zaragoza-based manufacturers and designers sensor network created in 2006. They strongly believe in IoT as a tool to help in decision-making to build a more sustainable and datocratized society. https://www.libelium.com/who-we-are/

[9] The Federación de Empresarios de Comercio y Servicios de Zaragoza y Provincia (ECOS) (Federation of Trade and Services Entrepreneurs of Zaragoza and Province) is an associative and professional entity of businessmen, with its own legal personality and non-profit spirit, established in 1977 with the aim of representing, promoting and defending the interests of as many companies as possible. carry out any commercial activity in Zaragoza and its Province. ECOS has administrative facilities appropriate to its function, and collaborates with different Consultants, Training Centers and Technical Offices that complete its possibilities of carrying out Projects related to the service of companies. A team of 21 people, (administrative, technical, advisers and general secretariat), works for the 3,000 Commerce and Services companies, grouped into the more than 83 Trade Associations, Area and Regional, that make up, and are, our Federation of Businessmen. https://ecos.es/quienes-somos/

[10] Zaragoza Esencial is a project that has turned the Historic Centre of Zaragoza into the epicentre of the economic and social improvement of Zaragoza, as well as a place to work, live and visit. And on these dates, above all, to visit, since it hosts almost 100% of the events of Zaragoza's Holy Week on its streets, declared an Asset of International Tourist Interest since 2014. Zaragoza Essential defines itself by its purpose: To value Essential Zaragoza as an ecosystem of a rich, diverse and quality urban economy in an accessible, attractive and sustainable space, for the business sectors and Society in general. https://www.zaragozaesencial.es/

[11] Gymkhana events are time and/or speed events in an automobile. These can feature obstacles such as cones, tires, and barrels. The driver must manoeuvre through a predetermined "track" performing many different driving techniques. What separates gymkhana from traditional autocross events is that the gymkhana requires drivers to perform reversals, 180 degree spins, 360 degree spins, parking boxes, figure 8s, and other advanced skills. Drifting is also encouraged where helpful or necessary. Essentially, a gymkhana is any event featuring a starting point, a finish line and some sort of "obstacle" to get through, around, or by, all within a certain time limit.

[12] https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/home/

[girlchildday]

What is digital technology?

Digital technologies are electronic tools, systems, devices and resources that generate, store or process data. Digital technologies are continually evolving and expanding. They include the internet and mobile technologies; digital networks, content, services and applications; old and new systems of media, communication and information; connected devices and environments; virtual and augmented reality; artificial intelligence, including machine learning; robotics; automated systems and data analytics; and biometrics and biotechnology

[digitalapplicationservices]

Mastek's digital applications services define new ways of increasing consumer affinity and business productivity in an enterprise.