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Experiencing Poor Phone Battery Life?

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Have you been experiencing reduced battery life on your phone recently?

Unsuspecting mobile phone owners may be left with flat batteries after they update their handsets, despite technology companies promising longer life and better performance from the new software.

It was recently discovered that when iPhones or Android phones are updated to the latest version of their operating systems, their battery life can fall by as much as three hours.

A two-year-old iPhone 6 lost 38 minutes of battery life when it was updated to the latest version of Apple’s iOS software, iOS 10. A Google Nexus 6P phone went from 12 to nine hours of battery life when the most recent version of Android was installed.

Both the iPhone and Android software claim that features in the latest versions improve battery life, rather than hurting it.

Mobile phone companies typically release major software updates every year as well as adding smaller changes throughout the year. When an update is released, users are sent notifications urging them to upgrade and are often given no way to revert to the previous operating system, meaning they are stuck with the new software even if they suffer from worse performance.

It was recently stated that software updates can also mean the memory of tablets and phones falling dramatically due to the extra capacity taken up by more advanced software. A Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet lost 30 gigabytes of storage when upgrading to the latest version of Windows – enough for thousands of photos.

The updates often include new features and important security changes that protect users from being tracked or having their details stolen, but early versions can be loaded with bugs.

It’s also been said that mobile phone companies should do more to warn users of the side effects of updating, and allow them to revert to older software if they wish.

It was found that battery life and storage were improved in some cases. Updating an iPad Air to the latest software improved battery life by two hours and updating a Samsung Galaxy tablet improved it by four and a half hours.

Richard Headland from ‘Which?’ said “Given how much we rely on mobile devices, companies should do more to tell us about the possible downsides of updates, as well as the benefits,”

Apple and Google declined to comment.

This year, Microsoft was forced to pay a travel agent (£8,000) after an unwanted automatic upgrade to her computer left it slow and prone to crashing.

 

If you found this article interesting, check out our ‘Latest Industry News’ page for more Technology insights. You can view it by clicking on this link!

– James Titcomb

Could there be a boom in VR Arcades?

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Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, HTC, push the concept of VR arcades with new ‘Vive’ software

Viveport Arcade offers arcade operators curated software with a pay-per-use license

One of the biggest issues with high-end virtual reality experiences right now is that they often require people invest thousands of pounds in powerful computers in order to work. One solution to this is the VR arcade, where operators buy machines and then rent time on them to the public.

HTC recently announced a new software platform that aims to help with the creation of such arcades. ‘Viveport Arcade’ is designed to help arcade operators find games that are well-suited to the sort of public experience that they’re building, while also helping developers better monetise their creations. It’s built for the Taiwanese hardware maker’s Vive headset, one of the leading offerings in the realm of high-end virtual reality headgear.

It’s a move by the company to try and democratise access to virtual reality, while also getting a cut of the burgeoning VR arcade business. Rikard Steiber, senior vice president of Virtual Reality at HTC, said that these arcades are a big hit in China.

“We see this moving very strongly in China, where there are basically thousands of these arcade operators opening up,” he said in an interview. “It’s everything from the traditional internet cafes, to the arcades that are linked to cinemas, to basically independent operators and shopping malls opening them up as well.”

Viveport Arcade can help drive that business in a couple of ways: first, operators get curated, frequently refreshed software that’s licensed for use in an arcade. Developers then have an opportunity to sell their software to those businesses and make money on its ongoing use.

Arcade operators pre-buy time through Viveport Arcade that they can then use to let users run VR experiences. When the credits are expended, HTC splits the proceeds evenly with the Vive developer whose software is used.

In the future, HTC may also work with developers on creating titles that can only be used in arcades because they require special hardware or a particular physical setup.

To inspire the creation of VR arcades, HTC also recently launched a VR theme park called Viveland in Taipei. It’s meant to serve as an example of what VR arcades could be, to inspire other people to operate their own and spread virtual reality.

Viveport Arcade is launching first in China and Taiwan. HTC says that it will then roll out to “thousands of locations” worldwide by the end of next year.

 

If you found this article interesting, check out our ‘Latest Industry News’ page for more Technology insights. You can view it by clicking on this link!

 

– Blair Hanley Frank

Apple computer prices are rising in the UK

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Apple has increased the prices of its laptop and desktop computers in the UK by hundreds of pounds.

Last Thursday, Apple unveiled new Macbook Pro laptops, with prices similar to the US after currency conversion and addition of UK VAT.

But the company also increased the prices of its older computer products, including the three-year-old Mac Pro, by hundreds of pounds.

One analyst said consumers should expect further price increases.

“Apple has to recalibrate prices after significant currency fluctuations, and since the EU referendum, UK prices are out of sync with the dollar,” said Patrick O’Brien, analyst at the Verdict Retail consultancy.

“Apple has taken the hit up until now. While price increases won’t look good to the consumer, it’s difficult to blame Apple.

“Once you strip out UK sales tax (VAT) and the currency conversion, the new UK prices could still be viewed as fair.”

A number of technology companies have increased their prices in the UK, reflecting the lower value of the pound.

Apple’s least expensive laptop – the 13in Macbook Air, last updated in March 2015 – now costs £949, up from £849.

Its Mac Pro desktop computer – last updated in December 2013 – now costs £2,999, up from £2,499.

“Apple suggests product prices internationally on the basis of several factors, including currency exchange rates, local import laws, business practices, taxes, and the cost of doing business,” the company told the BBC.

“International prices are not always comparable to US suggested retail prices.”

Rival Microsoft has already announced UK price increases for some of its business services.

Earlier in October, the company said some service prices would go up by 22% in 2017, reflecting the pound’s weakened value against the euro.

“We periodically assess the impact of local pricing of our products and services to ensure there is reasonable alignment across the region and this change is an outcome of this assessment,” the company said.

Mr O’Brien said it was “inevitable” that more companies would increase the prices of products and services.

“Retailers are struggling with increased costs to import goods, and it’s something they cannot afford to swallow themselves,” he told the BBC.

“We will definitely see further price rises, so if people are in the market for big-ticket items such as laptops, it might be a wise idea to buy now rather than later.”

 

Did you find this article interesting? For more news on the latest Information Technology Industry trends, why not check out our ‘Latest Industry News’ page on our website! You can visit it by clicking here…

 

– BBC

An Introduction to C#

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What is C#?

C# is an object oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. The C# language is designed to be platform independent, and borrows its syntax heavily from both Java and C++ (so any experience of those languages will help those starting out). The name comes from the musical notation, and indicates a progression or incremental version of C++.

The language is part of the wider Microsoft .NET Framework. The .NET framework is a set of libraries and standards that can be used across a variety of languages (including C#). The framework offers support for a number of user interface, data access and web application libraries and is the primary means of creating modern Windows applications.

 

Why use C#?

C# has become the goto language for Windows application developers for a number of reasons. Firstly it is heavily promoted in this way by Microsoft, and they offer a strong suite of tools to support it – Visual Studio being the most obvious example.

C# is also a popular language for projects involving the .NET Framework. The .NET Framework is included in most Windows operating platforms and has been adopted as somewhat of a standard for applications on the platforms too.

The .NET framework has been implemented on other platforms (such as Linux), by the Mono Project, so those wanting to develop away from Windows have option to do so. Xamarin also offer a number of products that allow developers to create mobile applications in C#. Microsoft recently unveiled news of a new open source compiler for .NET called Roslyn with which they are plotting the future of both Visual Basic and C#.

Performance wise, the language was never designed to challenge other languages like C or C++, running as it does on top of a ‘Just In Time’ (JIT) compiler (Languages like C++ are compiled for specific platforms). Its design goals are centred more around sound object oriented principles, and providing resilience and relatively easy debugging. That said for hardware independent projects, it is a more than capable modern language. Rosyln is part of a wider project by Microsoft to open source a lot of its development technologies, which many expect will help improve both compatibility and performance in the future.

 

Best starting tool to use

Visual Studio is the obvious tool for anyone wanting to get serious about C# development. As well as offering the features you would expect (syntax highlight, intelligence, integration with other Microsoft tools and technologies) it is also extremely well supported by the wider development community.

There are however many additional tools out there for you to explore along your journey of learning this excellent programming language!

 

Do you already have experience in working with C#? Check out our latest job vacancy on our website by following this link. It may be just right for you!

– Infragistics

Shropshire Careers & Enterprise Advisor Network complete success!

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More than 40 business leaders celebrated the launch of an initiative in Shropshire

Representatives from companies across Shropshire attended the launch of the Careers & Enterprise Company’s “Enterprise Adviser Network”. The initiative is aimed at building stronger guidance-based relationships between businesses, schools and colleges so that young people are equipped with the knowledge to effectively develop their workplace skills.

Held at Enginuity in Coalbrookdale, the event focused on the important role that businesses have in ensuring that young people have access to the right careers advice at the right time, and the impact that access to business leaders who take on Enterprise Adviser roles can have on young people.

Speaking at the event, Dr Floyd Millen, Head of Operation Delivery at the Careers & Enterprise Company, commented on the importance of integrating business and skills in Shropshire.

“It’s great that this is happening here and now. As someone who grew up a few miles away and now lives in the south east, I’m pleased that the Marches LEP and Telford & Wrekin Council have demonstrated their commitment to bringing businesses and schools together in a way that will provide young people with transformative, life changing experiences. It is, therefore, a pleasure to be here at the official launch of the Enterprise Adviser Network.”

Drawn from across the public, private and third sectors, senior business people who become Enterprise Advisers will provide advice to school and college heads on how to effectively engage local businesses in the development of careers and enterprise plans.

Paul Hinkins, Deputy Chair of the Marches LEP, was also at the launch and highlighted why closer ties between business and education are so important – especially in an area like the Marches:

“The Marches covers a diverse geography of rural, semi-rural and urban but shares many of the same barriers as the other 38 LEP regions: namely those of a skills void and an ageing workforce.

“Here in the Marches, there are too many people in the 16-54 age bracket that leave to pursue careers elsewhere – we need to prevent that from continuing by encouraging young people to realise their potential with businesses already based here and those which will invest in the region in the coming years.

“We know that 44% of employers in the Marches see a lack of skills as a barrier to growth and that 45% of employers found it a challenge to recruit in the last year. With those facts in mind, the introduction of the CEC Enterprise Advisers should be warmly welcomed.

“This initiative encourages businesses to go into schools and tell young people the options open to them – an approach which helps us retain our home grown talent. It also helps us to identify how to help schools and colleges navigate a fast-changing careers landscape and to give students the best chance of reaching their full potential by providing friendly, strategic advice and guidance. I’d strongly encourage all businesses in the region to consider how they could contribute to this this.”

The launch event also included input from John Gallagher, Vice President at Cap Gemini and Katherine Kynaston, Assistant Director of Business, Development & Employment at Telford & Wrekin Council.

 

– MarchesLEP

Could Virtual Reality be the future of Recruitment?

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The recruitment process may take place in the Virtual World in the near future: Lloyds trials virtual tests for candidates

Lloyds Banking Group is launching a scheme that uses VR headsets to put job applicants to the test in virtual situations during the recruitment process.

Beyond gaming, there are a myriad ways companies are attempting to embrace virtual reality. The latest is in recruitment.

Lloyds Banking Group is launching a scheme that uses VR headsets to put job applicants to the test in virtual situations. No longer will the applicants have to describe how they would handle a certain situation, they will soon be asked to prove it but taking on a range of problem-solving tasks in virtual worlds.

The technology will be first used in Lloyds’ graduate recruitment drive this autumn as part of its 2017 Digital and IT Graduate Schemes.

By using the VR headsets, the assessor will be able to give candidates a range of situations and tasks and monitor their progress. They will be looking at how the candidates approach the tasks, how they solve them and if they encounter any problems.

Lloyds said this would give the company a chance to assess candidates in ways “that would otherwise be unfeasible in the conventional assessment process”.

A spokesperson added: “This demonstrates our commitment to future talent and in hiring the digital leaders of the future.”

During the VR interview, the candidate will have complete freedom of movement within a 360-degree virtual world and will be able to move virtual objects using tracked motion controls.

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