Blockchain is poised to change IT in much the same way open-source software did a quarter of a century ago. And in the same way that Linux took more than a decade to become a cornerstone in modern application development, Blockchain will take years to become a lower cost, more efficient way to share information between open and private networks.But the hype around this seemingly new, secure electronic ledger is real. In essence, blockchain represents a new paradigm for the way information is shared and tech vendors and companies are rushing to figure out how they can use the distributed ledger technology to save time and admin costs. Numerous companies in 2017 began rolling out pilot programs and real-world projects across a variety of industries - everything from financial services to healthcare to mobile payments and even global shipping.It's unlikely to be a wholly disruptive technology that attacks traditional business models with a lower-cost solution that overtakes other … [Read more...] about What is blockchain? The most disruptive tech in decades
What is data integration
What is the difference between network slicing and Quality of Service?
Network slicing is a specific form of virtualization that allows multiple logical networks to run on top of a shared physical network infrastructure. The key benefit of the network slicing concept is that it provides an end-to-end virtual network encompassing not just networking but compute and storage functions too. The objective is to allow a physical mobile network operator to partition its network resources to allow for very different users, so-called tenants, to multiplex over a single physical infrastructure. The most commonly cited example in 5G discussions is sharing of a given physical network to simultaneously run Internet of Things (IoT), Mobile Broadband (MBB), and very low-latency (e.g. vehicular communications) applications. These applications obviously have very different transmission characteristics. For example, IoT will typically have a very large number of devices, but each device may have very low throughput. MBB has nearly the opposite properties since it will have … [Read more...] about What is the difference between network slicing and Quality of Service?
What is Google Assistant, how does it work, and which devices offer it?
Google is taking on Alexa, Siri, and Cortana with its own voice assistant: Google Assistant.Google first unveiled Assistant at Google I/O in May 2016, launched it on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones, brought it to Google Home and then Android Wear 2.0, before it started it rolling it out to other phones running Android.More than year on from Google Assistant's launch, Google has spread Assistant far and wide, not only on Google's own hardware, but through partnerships with other companies. That sees Google Assistant in a wide range of devices, from fridges to headphones, speakers to cars.Here's how Google Assistant works and what you need to know about Google's AIWhat is Google Assistant?Google Assistant is Google's voice-controlled smart assistant. It's was originally an upgrade or extension of Google Now - designed to be personal - while expanding on Google's existing "OK Google" voice controls.Originally, Google Now smartly pulled out relevant information for you: it knew where … [Read more...] about What is Google Assistant, how does it work, and which devices offer it?
What is your favorite major new Android N feature?
Google took us all by surprise by unleashing a preview version of its next Android 7.0 iteration, dubbed N, to unsuspecting developers, or anybody with a fairly modern Nexus gear, to be precise. While at first look the changes from Marshmallow to Android N sounded minor, save for the system level dual window mode, when digging deeper we discovered tons of new features and improvements.These range from relatively obscure changes, like new options for the still-hidden file browser, to pretty visible ones, like grouping notifications by app in the status bar, or adding a bunch of toggles in the quick settings shade. Google also gives us the ability to swap apps simply by double-tapping the overview button, or to copy and paste freely between two open windows. Granted, most of these features are borrowed from existing manufacturer overlays or custom ROM efforts, but having them integrated on a system level is a whole different ballgame. That is why we wanted to ask you which of the … [Read more...] about What is your favorite major new Android N feature?
Poll results: What is your favorite major new Android N feature?
We asked you yesterday which of the major new features that come with Android N is the one you are most excited about, and it turned out that it is the multiwindow mode that works both in portrait and landscape, and lets you run any apps side by side, or one on top of the other, as well as copy and move data between them freely. This one got the overwhelming 46% majority, with the Quick Reply function the distant runner-up with 17%, followed by the new grouped notification feature.Google took us all by surprise by unleashing a preview version of its next Android 7.0 iteration, dubbed N, to unsuspecting developers, or anybody with a fairly modern Nexus gear, to be precise. While at first look the changes from Marshmallow to Android N sounded minor, save for the system level dual window mode, when digging deeper we discovered tons of new features and improvements.These range from relatively obscure changes, like new options for the still-hidden file browser, to pretty visible ones, … [Read more...] about Poll results: What is your favorite major new Android N feature?