Technology

Due to the popularity and high prices of Apple products and their related accessories, many manufacturers have come up with the know-off accessories. Those who bought the iPhone or iPad for the first time might not be aware of the scammers in the market.

However, keeping your eyes closed while purchasing the Apple device accessories might not be a good option as your little ignorance can cost you much more than just a cable.

The Apple company is acting responsibly when it comes to real and fake differentiation. That is why the company has set some standards for the 3rd party manufacturers so the users will get only the authorized products.

While looking for the Apple accessories, you should consider authorization of;

• Type a, type c Lightning cable
• Audio and video modules
• Wired or wireless chargers

This article will explain to you why it’s important to pick only the real and authorized lightning cables and how to separate the real lightning cables from the fake ones.

Risks Associated With Knock-Off Lightning Cables

As the lightning cables are a major player in charging and data transfer in the Apple lineup, there are some damages that the knock-off cables can cause;

• Slow charging and data transfer
• Can cause overheating, over-charging and over-voltage
• Might not be as durable and long-lasting as the real cables
• Risks of cable damage

Difference Between Real and Knock-Off Lightning Cables

While purchasing the lightning cables, it’s possible that you might not find any difference between both at first glance. But there are a few minor details that you need to check to separate the real from fake.

1. Connector’s Pin Part

Usually, the real lightning cables have a perfectly round white pin part. The scammers did not take this perfection into account and generally had irregular and sharp ends on the white pin part.

2. Pin Contacts

The pin contact of real cables is mostly made from silver or gold color material with smooth and rounded ends. In contrast, the knock-off lacks pure color with a rough finish and sharp ends.

3. Connector’s Size

The authorized connectors are made according to specific measurements, so they all usually have the same width and thickness of 7.5 and 12mm. This standard size makes them universal for all Apple lineups.

While the knock-off cable connector mostly doesn’t fit according to this particular size standard.

4. The Metal Quality of USB Plugs

The lightning cable connectors are made from metal. The authorized and real cable manufacturer uses only high-quality metals that are smooth and shiny. However, the knock-off cables always use low-quality metals that give a granny and dull appearance as the basic purpose of producing the fake cables is to save money.

5. MFi Serial Number

As discussed earlier, the Apple company set some standards for the 3rd party manufacturers; these standards are recognized with the MFi serial numbers. This serial number is usually issued by the Apple company.

All the authorized cables have this 12-digit code on these cables along with some other information.

However, copying the numbers by scammers is not a big deal.

So, to confirm whether the number is real or not, you can match the font theme with the Apple company font theme.

You can also check the number through the MFi official website.

If you are purchasing the lightning cables online, there are some other quick tips through which you can pick the real cable;

• Price: scammers always offer low prices to attract the customers while the quality manufacturers cannot afford to sell the products at low price
• Product Review: in the online market, product review is the most reliable information from where you can check what others get from the site.
• Product Pictures: the scammers usually use pictures of other sites rather than showing their own products

Wrap Up!

Hopefully, this article will help you pick the real lightning cable from all the scammers in the market. For a reliable authorized website, you can check the Ugreen, as all of its products are MFi certified with the logo on their chips.

There are five basic components to a technological system, and each of these components plays a vital role in the functioning of a technological system. Without one or more of these components, a technological system will not be able to produce its desired output. For example, a telephone network cannot function properly if it doesn’t have a working phone line. Similarly, a computer will not function properly if it doesn’t have sufficient storage space.

The basic components of a technological system are tools. These tools can be simple hand-tools, or they can be complex machines that amplify force. They are necessary for the functioning of any technological system. Whether a tool is used for extraction, communication, or converting energy, a tool is essential to its functioning. Regardless of the use of a tool, a technologically-developed system cannot function without these inputs.

Materials and energy. The materials in a technological system provide the framework for the system’s productive actions. These elements are essential to the functioning of the system. The tools help us locate resources and extract them, as well as produce goods, store data, and protect ourselves from harm. All technological systems have inputs, and a lack of these components can hinder their functionality. If a tool does not function properly, it can cause a technological failure.

Inputs and outputs. The inputs that flow into a technological system are referred to as the inputs. All of these elements are consumed by the system. Inputs can include people, tools, materials, energy, information, finances, and time. Each of these elements is required for the system to function properly. Inputs and outputs are essential for the functioning of a technological system. Inputs are necessary to make a technologically-driven system.

A technological system is made up of many different components, and each of these pieces are interrelated. These elements work together to perform a particular function. For example, a series of production-processes can produce a booklet. The same is true of transforming natural resources into industrial materials or a message. Similarly, energy can be transformed into form, and it can be used to power a vehicle.

The main components of a technological system are energy and time. Humans are the most obvious sources of technology. By supplying energy, people, and materials to the system, technological systems create a new world. This way, the technological system creates new products for a variety of purposes. The key to the success of a technology lies in its ability to solve problems. It also makes it possible for the technological system to meet the needs of its users.

A technological system consists of various parts and subsystems that work together to achieve a common purpose. It includes goals, inputs, processes, outputs, feedback, control, and feedback. Its outputs are the things it can do for its users. The goal of a technological system is the ultimate purpose of the technological system. A smartphone, for example, has many applications and functions. Using a phone requires an operator to input information.

Technological systems are complex systems that are designed to perform certain functions. They are made up of components that transform inputs into desired outputs. For example, a smartphone has a camera, several apps, a touchscreen, and a speaker. All of these are the major components of a technological system. The technology in a technological system is based on the human need to do a specific task.

A technological system is a collection of interconnected components that performs a specific function without human input. It may be a complex machine that stores and processes information. It may also contain different subsystems. Its outputs are the desired outputs of a technological system. There are many types of systems in a world, but most of them are designed for one single purpose. The main goal of a technological system is to complete a task.

The power supply 12V is also known as a 12V lighting transformer or driver. They offer direct current in low voltage and are used mainly in 12V LED lighting strips. Also, there are different types of these power supplies available for purchase. Moreover, all the types fall in either the indoor or outdoor category depending on how they operate. When Buying, proper selection is necessary for correct functioning. This post explains the factors for choosing a 12V LED power supply.

Factors for choosing 12V power supplies

The 12V LED power supply is among the essential components of an LED lighting system. Examples of the kinds in the market are dimmable and non-dimmable or constant current and constant voltage power supplies. Deciding which one to pick can be challenging. Getting the wrong power supply will damage it and the LED device as well.

1. Choose the suitable 12V LED power supply voltage

The input voltage of the 12V power supply should be equal to that of the LED device. A 12V LED light uses a direct current with a voltage of 12V. This means that only a similar power supply can be used for compatibility reasons. The importance of sticking to the device voltage levels is to keep it safe. Using a higher power supply may cause overheating or general damage to the interior components.

2. Is the 12V LED power supply dimmable or non-dimmable?

Most LED devices using these power supplies are non0dimmable. However, few others are dimmable. The non-dimmable 12V power supply installation has a dimmer installed between it and the LED device. In this case, dimming is not a necessary function. The dimmer is placed before the power supply to provide dim lighting for the dimmable power supply installation.

3. Is the 12V LED power supply indoor or outdoor?

You can use LED power supplies or drives indoors or outdoor. The location matters as those meant for indoor use may fail when exposed outside unless waterproof. If you have a 12V LED device or strips, then an indoor 12V power supply is ideal. If your LED lighting is outside, meaning it’s water-resistant, then the power supply can be anywhere, in or out. In places like bathrooms, use a waterproof power supply or find a dry area for it. If nothing is forthcoming, it’s best to have the 12V LED light outside the bathroom. Remember, the power supply is like a transformer. So, you don’t want any contact with water if it’s not water-resistant.

4. The wattage of the 12V power supply

The power supply wattage should always be more than that of the LED light. This is to ensure the power produced is sufficient for every component connected. It should be enough to sustain the light when it’s turned on from off. Therefore, getting exact 12V LED and 12V power supply wattage can be risky.

Conclusion

A 12v power supply comes in handy in LED lighting. Above are essential factors to note when shopping for your power supply. Consider the voltage, wattage, and location of either the LED device or power supply. It can be indoor or outdoor based on the application. Decide whether you want a dimmable or non-dimmable power supply to buy what fits from the get-go.

A pressure washer, sometimes known as a power washer, is a motorized sprayer that is used to remove loose paint, mold, grime, dust, muck, and dirt off surfaces and objects such as buildings, vehicles, and concrete. It’s a step up in technology from simply using a conventional hose to clean such surfaces, but it’s also significantly more effective. Modern pressure washers are electrically powered and do not require manual input to operate.

We’ll go over why you’d want a pressure washer in this article, as well as the benefits of having one.

Advantages of Using a Pressure Washer

The following are some of the benefits of using a pressure washer:

They have a Total Stop System, for starters (TSS)

Unlike other pressure washers, the pressure washer has a total stop system that mechanically stops water from ejecting from the hose if the pump is not triggered. This prevents mishaps from happening and provides security to its users. The Grand pressure washer, the 2150 electrical pressure washer, and the movable pressure washer from the giraffeetools website are all examples of pressure washers with the total stop technology.

They can move about and are mobile

Some pressure washers are mobile and moveable, making them not only helpful for people who are always outside, but also allowing them to properly clean outdoor equipment without the use of personnel. However, because they are mobile, they may be used for a variety of tasks in addition to car washes. For example, they can be used to clean driveways, patios, and trucks.

They’re simply affixed to the wall

Pressure washers, such as the Grand, will be placed on the wall with just a bracket and a few screws. This not only saves space in the yard, but it also saves time from having to gather the necessary equipment each time you need to do some surface cleansing.

Built-in storage space

Almost all pressure washers, except the mobile pressure washer, feature built-in storage compartments that allow users to store pressure washer supplies and also allow for easy storage of the hose, reducing clustering.

Surfaces are effectively cleaned

The pressure washer sprays water at an air mass, and it also has a different nozzle that can be easily manipulated and managed to meet the need for removing difficult strains on surfaces that would otherwise take a long time to remove manually. Strains and grimes, on the other hand, are easily and quickly removed from surfaces thanks to the air mass. With a water pressure of 0.7mpa, the highest pressure is around 2200 PSI.

They’re kink-resistant

The pressure washer comes with a retractable hose that mechanically stops where you need it. This prevents the hose from kinking unnecessarily, which not only improves the pressure washer’s performance but also extends its life and durability. The retractile method eliminates the hassle of having to unkink your hose in the middle of or before use.

From these explanations, it is clear that the use of pressure washers from giraffeetools is critical for cleaning both indoor and outdoor electrical apparatus such as automobiles.

Microsoft hasn’t committed to the number of yearly updates it will provide for Windows 10, but the company will support “at least one version” of the OS until update support ends in October of 2025. Microsoft is promising 18 months of support for Windows 10 21H2, so it seems safe to assume that we’ll at least see 22H2 and 23H2 releases for Windows 10. For businesses using Windows 10 Enterprise, version 21H2 is also a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) update and will receive update support for five years instead of 18 months.

While more Windows 10 updates will be welcome news for anyone who isn’t ready to move to Windows 11 or whose hardware doesn’t support the new OS, it’s not clear what “feature updates” will entail for an operating system that has been replaced. Microsoft does have a history of backporting some apps and APIs to older versions of Windows to increase adoption of new technologies and reduce the amount of work developers need to do. But there are already some features that are currently exclusive to Windows 11—including 64-bit x86 app emulation on the ARM version of Windows 10, the faster-to-update Microsoft Store version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux, the Windows Subsystem for Android in its entirety, and most of the updated first-party apps—and we’d expect that list to grow rather than shrink.

The “Windows-as-a-service” model as originally pitched was supposed to alleviate the fragmentation between different versions of Windows and to remove the need for feature backporting in the first place. It remains to be seen how Windows-as-a-service works when Microsoft is servicing two slightly (but increasingly) different versions of Windows in parallel.

Like Nio, Chinese electric car maker Xpeng has kickstarted its international expansion. But unlike its rival, which put on a series of splashy campaigns in Norway, Xpeng launched quietly in the Scandinavian country last month.

In Norway, Xpeng has begun shipping its G3 SUVs and P7 sedans. The Chinese EV startup aims to enter more European markets in 2022, a company spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Xpeng has stayed low-key with its overseas expansion probably because it was waiting to launch its first “international” model, the G9 SUV that came to light today.

“G9 is our first model to be conceived and developed from the ground up for both the international and Chinese markets, bringing our most sophisticated designs to our customers worldwide,” the firm’s co-founder and president Henry Xia said at an auto exhibition on Friday.

The SUV is Xpeng’s fourth production model and will be the first to possess the carmaker’s latest advanced driver assistance system. The ADAS, called Xpilot 4.0, is built for urban driving, as Xpeng explained at its Tech Day last month. Baking Xpilot 4.0 into a passenger car is ambitious, as the version aims to assist anything from “vehicle start-up to parking,” a big step closer to fully autonomous driving.

Xpilot 4.0’s computing power comes from two Nvidia Orin-X system-on-the-chip units. Its hardware includes a mix of cameras, lidar, millimeter-wave radar, and a 3D visual perception network.

In other words, G9 will be layered with sensors. But Xpeng tries to make them inconspicuous. Its dual-lidar units, for example, have been integrated into the headlights. Lidar had traditionally been too expensive for mass-produced cars, but Xpeng and other industry players are working to make the sensing tech affordable.

G9 is not launching in China until the third quarter of 2022, according to a person familiar with the matter, so European customers won’t likely get to try the SUV until 2023.

In the meantime, Xpeng has much work to do before its highly autonomous passenger cars are ready to ship internationally. It will need to set up charging networks in its target markets, a process that is prone to COVID disruptions. Xpilot also relies on high-definition mapping, so the Chinese firm will probably need to team up with local navigation providers.

Xpeng may also be questioned by local governments regarding the safety of its smart cars. Governments around the world vary in their attitude toward vehicle autonomy, and episodes of collisions involving Tesla’s ADAS have only increased their skepticism about the tech’s readiness.

Xpeng has done some preparation in this regard. For instance, it will be testing drivers and giving them a safety score before letting them activate Xpilot. Its vehicles’ built-in monitoring system will also keep vetting drivers and may revoke Xpilot access if it determines a driver is acting irresponsibly.

When you go to a pub or bar, if the staff are friendly and helpful it very much adds to your enjoyment of the experience.

By contrast, having to deal with a surly person serving up your pint or margarita it risks significantly reducing your happiness levels.

For people with a regular drinking establishment of choice, the person behind the bar can even become a friend and confidant. Or, as renowned Canadian economist, Harry Gordon Johnson once said: “The greatest accomplishment of a bartender lies in his ability to exactly suit his customer.”

Soon, however, those bar staff might not even be human. Enter Cecilia, a robotic bartender that mixes and serves cocktails, and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to talk to customers in much the same way that Alexa, on an Amazon Echo speaker, or Siri, on an iPhone can respond to you.

The unit looks a bit like a tall fruit machine, only with an animated female barmaid – Cecilia – appearing on a large, upright video screen. You either tell her what cocktail you want, or order it on the below touch-screen, and pay for the drink by tapping your bank card or phone.

Your cocktail is then mixed and made inside the machine, and dispensed into a glass at the vending slot.

here’s always a shortage of workers. You have to train them, but then they leave. There’s a huge turnover of staff.”

He says that robot bar staff can help address this problem, and also put a halt to other factors, such as overly generous pouring of measures, or giving free drinks to friends, issues he says that may venue owners take as a “given.”

“For instance, if someone orders a gin and tonic on a Yanu, you [the bar owner] can specify that the robot pours four centimetres of gin, and the exact amount of tonic and lemon juice,” says Mr Adojaan.

He adds that another benefit of a Yanu (cost – $150,000) is that it can serve drinks faster – and to more people – than human bartenders would ever be able to.

We are aiming for places that have a huge turnover of clients, such as sports events, festivals or nightclubs,” he says. “The machine is very fast – it can work as fast as three and a half bartenders and make 100 drinks an hour. It can hold up to 1,200 drinks.”

Additionally, bartending robots can provide 24-hour service in environments in which doing so with a human bartender can prove costly and difficult.

“Think of a 24-hour hotel lobby, or an airport. For venues like that you’d need to hire three shifts of people, and that’s quite expensive,” Mr Adojaan says. “So those will be our playing grounds, mostly.”

One of its Yanu robots is currently making alcohol-free cocktails at the Estonian pavilion at the World Expo event in Dubai.

As is the case with other industries, the rise of bartending robotics is likely to raise concerns about job losses.

Emanuele Rossetti, the boss of Italian robot bartender maker Makr Shakr, says that while some barmen and women will lose their jobs, the hope is that they can find alternative work within the wider hospitality sector.

UK pub chain JD Wetherspoon is certainly not interested in buying a fleet of robots to work behind its bars. “In a word – no,” says a spokesman for the firm. “Wetherspoons would never do this.”

Yet Yanu’s Mr Adojaan says he is confident of future sales to regular bars, and especially nightclubs.

“First, having a discussion with a bartender is a cliché from the movies, at least here in Europe,” he says. “And in a nightclub, you don’t have a discussion. You shout at the bartender to get your drink faster.”

The bar staff themselves, he adds, often have the unenviable task of dealing with “obnoxious drunk people”. “As with other jobs that aren’t enjoyable, or artistic, on a daily basis, they’ll get replaced by robots,” he says.

And for customers who do like to have a chat with their barman or woman, Mr Adojaan says that the robots will gain more and more human-like personalities over time.

“We’re trying to develop something… that can hold a conversation, or crack a joke, ask if you liked your drink, or suggest another one, he says. “The most interesting part of the project is the effort to make it [appear] alive, or have character.”

At launch, in early 2022 in the US, it will cover replacing the batteries, screens and cameras of recent iPhones.

But Apple’s new repair store will sell more than 200 parts and tools.

It comes after months of increasing pressure on Apple from the grassroots right-to-repair movement, which wants individuals and independent repair shops to be able to fix electronics.

“Self Service Repair is intended for individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices,” Apple said.

But “for the vast majority of customers” visiting a certified professional repair shop would be a better option.

“Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed,” Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams said.

“By designing products for durability, longevity, and increased repairability, customers enjoy a long-lasting product that holds its value for years,” the company said.

‘Massive win’

Apple has often been held up as one of the fiercest opponents of the right to repair, claiming safety issues.

Independent repair-instructions website iFixit, which recently took Apple to task for making it much harder to repair iPhone screens, tweeted: “We never thought we’d see the day.”

“Apple has long claimed that letting consumers fix their own stuff would be dangerous,” iFixit said in a statement to media.

“Now, with renewed governmental interest in repair markets – and soon after notably bad press… Apple has found unexpected interest in letting people fix the things they own.”

And Canadian computer hardware reviewers Hardware Canucks wrote: “It may be a small step overall – but for Apple to do it, this is a massive win for the right-to-repair movement.”

Apple said the Self Service Repair programme would allow individual customers to “join more than 5,000 Apple authorised service providers and 2,800 independent repair providers who have access to these parts, tools, and manuals”.

It had been expanding its authorised repair network, so access to official parts “has nearly doubled” in the past three years, it said.

But Apple’s authorised repair schemes have long been criticised for having extensive terms and restrictions such as where the replacement parts come from – making it unlikely a random component from a broken phone could easily be harvested and “transplanted” for repair.

And the company maintains tight controls on the pricing of those components.

The right-to-repair movement has attracted much attention in recent years, with several US states considering “fair repair” legislation.

• Right-to-repair movement gains ground
• Apple co-founder backs right-to-repair movement

And earlier this year, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak – who built the first Apple computers in a garage with Steve Jobs in the 1970s – came out in favour of the movement.

“We wouldn’t have had an Apple had I not grown up in a very open technology world.

Believe it or not, there are smartwatches worth owning besides the Apple Watch. If getting important (or not so important) notifications on your wrist sounds appealing to you, there’s great news: most smartwatches can now do that for you. And you have options when it comes to style, form factor, and more dedicated wearable purposes.

There are smartwatches that emphasize style and a classic timepiece aesthetic, others that help you train for competition in specific sports, and everything in between. From casual exercisers to those who want every bit of data and guidance they can get, the smartwatch landscape has matured. And recently, we revisited some of our favorite options and tested the latest releases in an effort to help you nail down the best smartwatch for your needs.

Table of Contents

• The best smartwatch overall
• Runner-up
• A slightly more affordable smartwatch we like
• Best runner’s smartwatch
• Best Android smartwatch
• Most stylish smartwatches

The short(er) version

• The Apple Watch Series 7 is still the best all-around smartwatch available. No other wearable offers close to the app variety, ecosystem cohesiveness, and third-party support that the Apple Watch does. Battery life is just okay at roughly one day per charge, but charging from zero to 100 now takes just over an hour. The new, bigger screen offers larger font sizes and more space to read fitness data and notifications, too. Fitness tracking could still use more context, but the Series 7’s all-around package is tough to beat. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE can save you a few bucks depending on your needs.
• Our runner-up is the Fitbit Sense. It doesn’t have the Apple Watch’s extensive app support, but it offers nearly the same level of fitness hardware (ECG, blood oxygen sensors, heart rate, GPS), week-long battery life, a more in-depth companion app, and actual Android support, all in a stylish design.
• If you can find it for less than $200, the Fitbit Versa 3 is another option we like. It has a nice combination of sleek smartwatch looks (in both software and hardware) and the requisite fitness tracking and notification capabilities we expect at that price point. There’s no ECG sensor, but it should have you covered with basic to moderate health insights otherwise.
• Garmin’s Forerunner 745 is our top runner’s watch for its deep training stats, useful yet easy-to-read analysis for all athletes, and suite of dedicated runner’s tools. It lacks a touchscreen, but with GPS, 24/7 heart rate, all-day blood oxygen monitoring, and music storage for up to 500 songs, it’s a capable companion for running, swimming, biking, and most other sports.

• The Garmin Forerunner 55 and 245 Music are two less-expensive options worth a look for moderate runners. Those who love the 745’s approach but don’t need things like music storage, blood oxygen monitoring, or running-cadence analysis can save a significant amount with a Forerunner 45. The Forerunner 245 Music, meanwhile, may be better for those who don’t need an altimeter or tracking for hikes and other outdoorsy activities but want to retain the lion’s share of 745’s activity-tracking features.
• Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 is the best all-around wearable for Android users, especially Samsung phone owners. Its classic watch styling looks good, and its rotating bezel controls are intuitive. Some of its more advanced health-tracking features require a Galaxy phone, but it’s still a very capable fitness tracker on the whole. Its collaboratively created software from Google and Samsung means it keeps the polish Galaxy watches were known for while adding a growing list of popular apps to support it.
• We also have a few stylish smartwatches we like from Garmin. The Vivomove Luxe, Style, and 3/3S share elegant looks and premium materials at varying price points, making them nice pieces of jewelry that don’t compromise too much on moderate fitness tracking. The Garmin Lily, meanwhile, is an especially great choice for women or those with smaller wrists. It requires a phone for GPS, but it delivers useful stats for all sorts of activities and notifications with a fashionable aesthetic.