2016 - The year of cheap Virtual Reality

2016 - The year of cheap Virtual Reality

VR Technology

Virtual Reality is an interesting concept of immersing oneself into another simulated world.  It is bigger than 3D, which is about creating another dimension beyond the 2D space.  Since the foretelling of its theory before 1950, we have many consumer products like the Sega VR headset and Virtual Boy which transport us into another gaming reality.  VR is not bounded by games and has extensive applications in training and real-life applications.

The main obstacle for the popularity of VR is the hardware cost.  To create an environment for VR, the traditional approach is to invent an expensive headset for people to wear.  The premium price deters many potential customers and VR never reach the mass market.

The era of cheap VR

With the introduction of the Google Cardboard priced at S$3 to S$5, VR becomes a reality for many.  In fact, one may make the cardboard and buy the lens from the market.  The missing piece is the smartphone we have now.

The requirements for smartphone are:

1. Chrome v44.0 and above;
2. Android 4.1/iOS 8.0 or above;
3. Screen size must fit the cardboard;
4. Display resolution preferably 1080;
5. OpenGL ES2.0; and
6. Gyroscope sensor present.

Just follow these simple steps and you have a cheap VR headset in 10 minutes.  If you DIY, you may have to configure customised profile via Google Profile Generator.

Fun with VR

One can view VR videos via YouTube and enjoy the thrills especially for those 360 degrees videos.  Some of my favourites are:

1. [Extreme] 360° RollerCoaster at Seoul Grand Park;
2. Solar System 360 Degree Tour!; and
3. 360° cockpit view | SWISS Airbus A320 | Geneva – Zurich

You can also download Google Street View and virtually tour famous places around the world.  There are some games available online which requires more movement and actions.  You can also enjoy a VR movie and enjoy the stunning 3D effects and see your surrounding.  However, it is advisable to take more short breaks for a long movie due to the straining on the eyes.

With powerful hardware inside our smartphone, VR is no longer a distant target but an immediate reality.  If you are free this weekend, make a VR headset or order a Google Cardboard online now to have some fun with your loved ones.  I am sure the kids will love it.

How smart people choose smartphone?

How smart people choose smartphone?

The problem you face everyday

Smartphone makes you smart because it has many apps to help in your daily life, keep you entertained and provides social networking with your family, friends, classmates and co-workers.  Amex's motto of "Never leave home without it" has found a new meaning.  It should be a smartphone company punchline because we sleep with it too.

In Singapore, you are unlikely to encounter no network data connection.  More likely, its achilles heel is the battery power.  Once your smartphone has no battery power, you become stupid.  You cannot recall the mobile number of your coworker or your friend.  You are literally cut off from this digital social world.  The world is doomed unless you bring a charger or there is a power point nearby.

Have you ever wondered why your smartphone run out of juice within a day?

History of smartphone and its battery capacity

To understand this better, we have to see the evolution of smartphone batteries.

The 3 charts tell us that, over the years, smartphone manufacturers are increasing the capacity of the battery to meet the demand of the power hungry applications.  Despite we have the most power saving processor, memory and optimised board designs, the smartphone cannot cope with the power demand because there is little breakthrough in battery capacity.

When consumers want small, light and cute design, manufacturers provide better graphics, nice curves and 2.5D to meet requests.  However, a small form factor means the smartphone can only house a small battery.  People are impulsive creatures who are tempted to buy on emotion.  They come, they saw, they buy...satisfying their short term lust.  Manufacturers believe they can pacify the consumers by providing them with quick charge or fast charge technology.  The latest Samsung S6, Xiaomi Mi 5 and iPhone 6S Plus are stellar examples of compromising battery capacity for a smaller smartphone.  Apple iOS has a more efficient power design and therefore they never bother to provide more than 3000mAh to the market.  Samsung's and Xiaomi's battery capacity are hovering between 2600mAh and 3000mAh respectively.  Why should they give you more capacity if you are buying more power banks to further boost their sales?

The current culture

A dead smartphone is a dumb smartphone.  If you are so much into design, features and beauty of the smartphones, be wise to choose a smartphone with enough juices to last you for a day, no matter whether you are switching on GPS, bluetooth, mobile data, NFC or Wifi.  These top manufacturers are unlikely to give you more because customers are supposed to suck it up and live by their rules with no questions ask.

Two new China players (Oppo and Vivo) have record sales by selling attractive smartphones beating Lenovo and Huawei in mobile sales in 2015.  Together, these manufacturers are promoting a culture of carrying usb cable, chargers and power banks.  Popular tips are shared on how to save more juice by switching off apps and background widget when they are not in use.  Some even suggested you to root the phones and rid of pre-installed apps thereby voiding their warranty... another win to the manufacturers because they do not need to service their warranty.

The obvious solution

The solution lies in the 3 charts.  While waiting for the battery technology to catch up, buy a smartphone with 4000 to 10000 mAh (depending on your lifestyle) to tide over these 2 years if you are not brand conscious or dying for a new feature (such as the useless 2.5D or double touch technology).  These phones cost S$350 top (without contract) and keep you smart the whole day.  Say goodbye to the power bank and rid yourself the trouble to look for power sockets.

Get FREE 2GB Google Drive in 30 seconds

Free 2GB Google Drive

Christmas was gone but Google is giving away free 2GB now to mark Safer Internet Day 2016 starting from 11 Feb 2016 and ending on 17 Feb 2016.  The whole process only takes 30 seconds of your time if your security setting is up to speed.

How to get 2GB?

Follow the following steps:

1. Visit Google: https://security.google.com/settings/security/secureaccount
2. Login
3. Check your security information. Take your time to beef up the internet security of your google account.  Get free 2FA if possible.
4. Upon completion, you will get 2GB FREE immediately.

If you are not sure, comment below so we can help you.

How much is 2GB?  You have 15GB for free and 2GB will be a good bonus to keep all your data and files and google drive.

Enjoy the 2GB!

Test Your Brain

Why brain test?

Human always pride themselves as smart and intelligent creatures because we are equipped with a brain to think, analyse and make decisions.

Unfortunately, life's monotonous routine has killed our creativity and you may need a strong injection to stimulate your thinking and creativity process.  Hopefully this simple test of 30 questions can bring back the zest in your life.

Be warned! This test ventures beyond the boundary of IQ.  Every individual has only one try.  Treasure it.

The Future of Smartphones

Current Technologies

We have seen the emergence of iPhone in 2007 till the current smartphones we have in our wallet.  These mobile devices have transformed our lifestyle and habits and it is hard to imagine how we can communicate without them.

Some predicted smartphones will be gone in 5 years from now as Internet of Things (IoTs) are replacing how things are talking to each other smartly.  Who will chart the future of smartphones?  Before these visions become reality, what are the things you wish to have in the immediate tomorrow?

Immediate Promises

1. Charging Issues
   During the era of Nokia, this single company itself cannot make a consistent charging port.  Apple shows the same sign when it introduced an upgraded charging port for iPhone 6. Android has embraced USB3.1 Type C as the next standard to phrase out the older USB 2.0 charging port.  Physical contact promises fast or quick charge which is badly needed by heavy duty smartphones as more and consistent current is delivered.  Contactless charging is emerging but acceptance is slow due to the long charge duration.
2. Longer Battery Life
   Many have come out innovative ideas of how to make battery last longer.  One Oppo phone cheated by placing two batteries inside a phone and claimed "5 minutes charging to talk for 2 hours".  The constraint is a special charger which can only use for this phone.  On a daily basis, applications are main causes for battery draining and the battery itself are purposely made small so it is presented light to the user.  If you uninstall Facebook App, study has found that you can extend battery life by 20%.  If you like your Facebook so much, you should look into higher capacity battery (6000 mAh and above) instead of fanciful features (curve?) of your next smartphone.  Unfortunately, battery technology is stagnant unless we can move beyond Li-on or Li-Polymer without any adverse dangers of explosion and heat.
3. Contactless Payment
   Near Field Communication, HotKnox and Bluetooth are the common transfer techniques used.  They demonstrated the ease of data exchange with reasonable speed.  However, moving forward to financial payment are dragged down by the security concerns.  In fact, having these features on will make stealing of data possible.
4. Fingerprint Recognition
   It is the defacto requirements for 2016 as we are anticipating the loss of our phones via theft or robbery.  Protection of personal data and information become an essential instead of a desired feature.  Swiping and password are too simple means to lock the phone and using biological identity makes unlocking harder.  Premium of S$100 is required from users who are dying for such protection.
5. Ear Piece
   Frankly, connecting a ear piece makes the phone less smart.  With wireless bluetooth, ear piece should be obsoleted long ago.  It will make the phone more resistant to water and weather by hiding the 3.5" audio port.

Future Promises

1. Display Technology
   After you have your 5.5" screen, it is hard to imagine going back to your 3.5".  For the current generation of users, they will have serious health issues with their neck, eyes and fingers due to overtaxing their joints for long hours.  Display technology can improve how we see and use the device ergonomically.  Prototype of projection and paper thin displays are available pending the reduction of mass production costs.  But the essence lies in the time spent in using the phone instead of how we use it.  It is the duration that kill.
2. Connecting to IoTs
   IoT is no longer a futuristic term as many are having smart homes as the ultimate goals. We are using bracelets, rings and watches to monitor our health and movement.  Governments are integrating essential services with IoTs to bring forward the concept of smarter nation.  Beside of challenge of good software, the challenge is to lower the cost of IoTs so that it can be incorporated into daily accessories and devices with wireless security in check.  In fact, some predicted that IoTs will completely replace smartphone as the communication elements in smartphone can be integrated with IoTs to provide a hands-free experience.

The Essential

It is nice to have the latest technologies for future proof.  At the same time, you have to know what do you need most.  More often than not, consumers are blindly following the masses and bought phones which have tons of feature with a limited battery capacity (Remember iPhone 5?).  Will you pay for a $800 wireless charging phone (5 hours charging time) over a budget $200 basic phone (2 hours charging time)?  "Never!", you shouted.  The next day, you fall into the same trap when your friends are all carrying the same flagship product.