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TechGYO Giveaway; Win a Membership Account from PixelKit

Sreejesh
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TechGYO Giveaway; Win a Membership Account from PixelKit

After lots of work, we finally have a great solution for people who want UI kits that work well right “out of the box”. It’s called PixelKit. It’s a fully functional library that is overflowing with high quality UI kits, along with other web design resources.

PixelKit Premium UI Kits and Design Resources

What will you get?

The three lucky winners will each get a one-year PixelKit membership account. You may be wondering what benefits PixelKit offers, so let’s touch on a couple:

  • Access over 3300 premium graphics and all the newest releases available during the year.
  • Brand new graphics are faithfully added every month.
  • There are literally thousands of graphics. PixelKit has extensive kits with many elements and icons in them. This will overcome the problems you have found with other packs. They may only contain a few different elements, which makes them essentially worthless for your real-life projects.
  • All of the graphics included are fully scalable – think “vectors”.
  • The graphics are extremely mobile-compatible. That means everything in today’s market.
  • The elements in these kits are fully compatible with 960 grids, meaning you can easily usethem with most HTML.

PixelKit will allow you to complete projects faster with a more consistent look. You can get right to work without time wasted hunting for a great UI kit. Check out the products and see what you think.

Simply Enter to Win:

  • Tell us how you’d use your PixelKit graphics by making a comment on this post.
  • Next, share the news with all your followers on Twitter by retweeting this message: Win a
    free @PixelKitcom membership account from @[your Twitter] (RT to Enter).
  • Now, sign onto Facebook and press the “Like” button on the PixelKit Facebook page.

Here are a few of the great icon sets and UI kits you may win:

Chubby Stacks – Fresh UI Kit

This UI kit is so playful and fresh, it will make your website stand out. It includes more than 100 vector elements, so you’ll have everything you’ll need for cohesive designs.

 

Fresh UI Kit

Crooked Stats – Stats Infographic Kit

This is an infographic kit for statistics that will allow you to use visual representatives of data to be presented clearly and in a way that is easy to read.

Stats Infographic Kit

5 O’clock Shades – App Icons

This icon set gives you the modern, flat style you’re looking for, with an approach that is more detailed. These icons have a modern, cool vibe.

App Icons

City Break – Hotel UI Kit

This UI kit is hotel-centric, with great web layouts and designs for vacation websites, B&Bs and hotels. The variety of elements and modern look give you everything you need that people can access with just a click.

Hotel UI Kit

Dark Velvet – Dark UI Kit

This dark, sharp, clean-looking UI kit is perfect for giving your website a corporate, elegant feel.

Dark UI Kit

File Manager – Mobile App UI Kit

This is a UI kit for iPhones that is ready for implementation, with its minimalist, flat look.

Mobile App UI Kit

Look at this bonus treat– the Free PixelKit Bootstrap UI Kits. These modern HTML templates can

be easily downloaded so that your design is cool and functional.

Xiaomi Did it again. Sells out another 20,000 units in few seconds.

Sreejesh
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Xiaomi Did it again. Sells out another 20,000 units in few seconds.

Xiaomi has did it again in its fourth flash sale. This time they sold out all of 20,000 units in just few seconds. Xiaomi and Flipkart has been launching flash sales from last few weeks since Xiaomi’s entry to India with Mi3 selling exclusively through flipkart. Since launch, they have seen an unprecedented demand from Indian buyers. Hugo Barra the vice president of Xiaomi admitted that his company underestimated the demand in indian market. But this has invited criticism from buyers who have been waiting for weeks and couldn’t get it. Many took to twitter criticising the limited flash sales as marketing tactic. But this tactic seems to be working on a hattrick.

Flipkart Xiaomi Mi3 Smartphone

Last week they sold out 15,000 Mi3 Smartphones in two seconds flat. Beating the record 5 second flash sale last month.
Xiaomi had put up 20,000 units this time and it took just seconds to get them off shelf before one could snap their fingers. The next and fifth flash sale is on Auguest 19 and Flipkart has already started accepting registrations from 6PM today. Even those who has registered before will have to register for the next sale.

After today’s sale, Xiaomi have sold 50,000 phones through Flipkart at 13,999 since July 22 launch.

Xiaomi Mi3 based on our hands on review is a solid device and stylish design which features a 5 inch full IPS HD display with 2.3 Ghz Snapdragon 800 8274AB 2.3GHz processor, 13MP camera with dual-LED flash with 25 hours. of talk time.

Check out Mi3 on Flipkart 

Are Mobile Phone Upgrades Actually Beneficial?

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Are Mobile Phone Upgrades Actually Beneficial?

Mobile phones are a confusing topic for some people, especially those not up to speed with the latest developments and trends around the industry. As little as ten years ago mobile phones used to be something you just used to make a call or send a message to somebody while you were out of the house and away from your landline. Today, they’re an essential part of our daily routines helping us to send work-related emails, update our Facebook statuses, read the breaking news and even take photographs – oh, and they make calls and send messages, too!

mobile upgrades

When a new model is released there is an instant global interest in what it has to offer, how it differs to its predecessor and its rivals and, of course, how much it’s going to cost. For some people it’s an exciting time because they have the chance to get their hands on something new and exciting, while for others it’s exciting because they can finally upgrade their old phone that they’ve been tied into by a contract for a length of time and they’ll be glad to see the back of it!

 

Upgrades are a great idea from network providers because it means that customers don’t necessarily have to pay for a brand new handset, instead you can just trade their old one in as part exchange or you can sell your old phone on onrecycle.co.uk to recoup some money to put towards a new contract, and off you go with your shiny new phone.

 

The thing is, the upgrades are often a great time for the customer initially, giving them the chance to change their phone and even their contract and the various terms, but are they great in the long term? Here are three questions to help solve the argument:

 

Firstly, there is the choice of phones available to you. When you look to purchase a new phone off the shelf, many are out of your reach just because of the price at the time. Sure, a shiny new iPhone 6 might look like an amazing purchase and something you’ve had your heart set on, but at that point in time it has its brand-new price tag. Thanks to upgrades, however, you have the opportunity to acquire the phone without having to pay the full price for it instead – with some operators anyway – you just pay the terms of your new contract which may be anything from a monthly fee that includes calls and messages, to the various extras like data allowances and picture messaging (MMS).

 

On the flip side of that bonus, however, is that in some instances your contract may involve paying more each month or being tied in for a longer period of time than you might like just to ensure that you get that specific phone. While operators will want to keep people with them rather than losing their custom, they can’t simply go around giving people the very latest phones which could retail for hundreds and only charge the same amount as they were on an old model, they need to make some money from customers somewhere along the line and some people could end up paying more than their original deal just to have a new phone.

 

So far we’ve seen one argument for upgrades, and one against, so this final one should settle the argument once and for all, (or at least you might hope so). Customers have the opportunity to negotiate their contracts when it comes to their renewal date. When they signed the original deal maybe two years ago, the amount they were paying might have seemed like a perfectly acceptable fee. However, two years down the line their circumstances might have changed and disposable income might have evaporated leaving them struggling to afford the payments specified. When it comes to upgrading, customers have the opportunity to keep their existing handset and change their tariff – the amount they pay each month for things like calls, messages, data allowances and so on – bringing the payments much more inline with what they can afford. To many this is the best part of an upgrade – not the new phone. Sure, we’d all like to have the best phone on the market but when push comes to shove, paying less makes much more sense really!

The History and Importance of MICR Printing

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The History and Importance of MICR Printing
MICR

Magnetic ink character recognition or MICR printing as it is better known, prints using special fonts and magnetic inks that are primarily used to quickly process documents like checks. As you have probably seen at your bank, your checks can be quickly read by machines designed to scan MICR printing. This type of printing was developed in the 1950s and is still a vital part of the banking industry.

Image Source

The Development of MICR Printing

Before the development of MICR printing, all checks quite naturally had to be processed manually. “However, by the mid-1940s the banking system became inundated with paper as society grew more mobile and affluent.” (1) The influx of paper demanded new processes that could keep up with the paperwork accurately and efficiently. Finding a solution meant that both the electronics and banking industries had to work to develop a new tool that could be used by all banking institutions. In essence, they needed to determine a new standard form of processing checks.

The result occurred during the 1950s when the first automated systems employing MICR printing were used. Stanford Research Institute achieved the credit for developing MICR while using equipment designed by General Electric. The notable MICR font was developed at the same time as the magnetic ink.

The Importance of MICR Printing

MICR printing can easily be regarded as a cornerstone of modern banking processes. Our checks today feature “MICR toner” (2) and most adults are familiar with the telltale font associated with our checks’ routing numbers, bank accounts, and check numbers. Not only is MICR printing vital to the banking industry, it’s also used by airlines for ticket verification purposes.

When it comes to banking, however, MICR printing is a major time-saver for banks. For instance, banks do not have to verify that the check given to them is a valid one; the MICR print conveys that as its read. The MICR check also tells them right away which bank issued the check. Another important aspect of MICR is that it conveys accurate information. It can be read even if it is covered up by ink or a signature. This ensures greater accuracy.

Banks have been relying on MICR toner for decades now and it is still essential for their operation. The next time you look at the bottom of your check, you’ll remember that the unusual font has an important purpose indeed.

Video: MICR Explained


 

Sources:

  1. Xerox, “Generic MICR: Fundamentals Guide,” http://download.support.xerox.com/pub/docs/DocuPrint_100_100MX/userdocs/any-os/en/GenericMICRFundamentalsGd.pdf

2. Troy, “Troy MICR Printers,” http://www.troygroup.com/products/printers/micr_printers.aspx

A comprehensive study of Samsung and its Gear

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A comprehensive study of Samsung and its Gear

Guest post by Shalini Dixit. Samsung, a premier manufacturer of household electronics offers a wide selection of world class products at reasonable prices. Since its inception, the company has been relentlessly trying to offer state-of-the-art products to consumers. If there is any brand in India that has grown tremendously in the Indian mobile phones and electronics market, it is Samsung. The company has created its niche in electronics and has become a popular name of almost every household. If we look at the wider picture, apparently the company has asserted its presence in every nook and corner of the world. If we talk about its electronics, then they all are value for money as the technology used in them is highly cost-effective. Samsung galaxy gear The company caters to every segment of the society with its multiple price range. As a result, everyone has the privilege of using Samsung electronics ranging from air conditioners to mobile phones.

Samsung Electronics

Mobile phones:  Samsung is a smartphone leader in the market with its plethora of high-end phone doing a great job world-wide, with their high performing technology and cost-effectiveness. Every year the company comes up with a new phone a successor of the previous one. And each phone surprises its users with their seamless performance and utility. A quintessential example of Samsung high-end Smartphone is Samsung Galaxy S5. The phone is still doing great at market level and had earned many brownie points right after its launch. Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tablet is a different segment altogether. So far company has launched the multiple successor of it Tab 1 and all of them have earned good market value and met its buyer’s expectation. The latest one is Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, which is doing great so far. TV: The latest launch of its flagship Samsung curved TV has proved that TV manufacturing is company’s forte. Company has no dearth of ideas and is capable enough to bring state-of-the-art electronics in the market. Camera/Camcorder: Camera is another big thing company’s pool of products. Available in multiple styles, colors, and sizes Samsung cameras/camcorders are known for their picture quality and good resolution. Apart from clicking pictures, users can also share them on fb, twitter or at any social media site because the cameras also support Wi-Fi connectivity and access to internet.

Various home appliance of the company include:

  • Refrigerator
  • Air conditioner
  • Washing Machine
  • Microwave Oven
  • Smart Oven
  • Dish Washer

Other miscellaneous items include:

  • PC/Printer/Peripherals
  • Memory storage
  • Electronics’ Accessories

The latest in the kitty of smartphones is Samsung Galaxy Gear – Gear2, Gear fit, gear 2 Neo. The Samsung Galaxy Gear is a Samsung’s flagship smart watch, unveiled during a Samsung Unpacked event in Berlin, Germany on september 4, 2013. The device is compatible with all Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets which run android 4.3 or its newer versions. It showcase a 1.63-inch super AMOLED touchscreen, has a speaker and microphone for hands-free calling. And the most remarkable thing about the Gear is that it even has a 1.9MP camera for clicking pictures from your wrist. Initially launched as an android based device, Samsung has now replaced this operating system with Tizen from May2014 onwards. Although the gear received a lot of criticism in its initial days of launch but its successor Gear 2 to some extent has creased out most of the criticism.

Galaxy Gear: Its uniqueness

The Galaxy Gear is smart, attractive, comfortable, and makes it handy to see incoming calls. The bottom line is that, Samsung’s smart watch has earned the company a reputation of being smart amongst all other smartphone manufacturers. The Gear itself performs truly smart and has met many people’s expectations.

Flipkart Sold Out Xiaomi Mi3 in 5 Seconds in the Second round

Sreejesh
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Flipkart Sold Out Xiaomi Mi3 in 5 Seconds in the Second round

Chinese Smartphone Maker’s  Mi 3 Smart phone was sold out of stock within 5 seconds on Flipkart for the second round of sales. The phone was launched exclusively on Flipkart last week and it took 39 minutes to finish while it was first launched on the site.

Xiaomi Mi3
Flipkart announced that the site saw an unprecedented traffic of 250,000 users on the Mi 3 page shortly after the sale opened at 2pm today. This was 4 times higher than the heaviest level of traffic ever experienced by Flipkart’s for any product launch yet. The product was available from at 2pm sharp on Tuesday. The site almost went down for a brief moment the countdown timer on the Mi 3 page hit 00:00:00.  

flipkart xiaomi Mi3 sold

Out of more than 2 lakhs of people, only few thousands could manage to own it.  Flipkart announced that after today’s sale, the total number of Mi 3 devices sold on Flipkart to date is 20,000. Xiaomi has now updated the “rules” for the next “flash sale”, which is scheduled on August 5th. With the new rules, buyers will need to register again starting 6 pm on July 29 even if they had registered earlier.

 


 


Commenting on the sales from Xiaomi’s headquarters in Bangalore, Hugo Barra, Vice President, Xiaomi Global said,

Hugo Barra Xiaomi VP

 

“We are completely overwhelmed by the demand for Mi 3 by our fans here in India and are working diligently with our manufacturing partners as well as our local partners and the user community here in India to bring more devices and deliver the best possible product experience with Mi 3 and other models to come.”


Flipkart co-founder & CEO Sachin Bansal said,

Sachin Bansal

“The Mi sales model is a new concept for us at Flipkart and the Indian customers in general. We learned a lot during last week’s first sale and, after directing our entire team to work on improving the customer experience over the last week, we have made significant progress. The site held up extremely well today and no major issues have been reported. We are working towards an even more seamless experience for our customers in the future.”

How the New Amazon Smartphone Will Affect Competitors in the Market

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How the New Amazon Smartphone Will Affect Competitors in the Market

Guest post by: Dixie Somers

Amazon has spent its existence shaking up traditional marketplaces with new, more affordable products, and a bevy of new choices for consumers. First with online shopping and then with both e-readers and tablet devices, Amazon introduced a way to reduce costs, increase features, and drive up customer satisfaction levels. That commitment looks poised to move into the heavily competitive smartphone industry, with recently unveiled Fire Phone taking on competitors like the Galaxy S5 and the iPhone.

Amazon smart phoneSmart

A “Firefly” Camera That Can Intelligently Find Products on Amazon.com

The Fire Phone was primarily released to streamline Amazon’s approach to retail in an increasingly mobile era, with the competition to Samsung and Apple merely an added bonus. To really hammer home this commitment to new ways of shopping, the Fire Phone’s camera can intelligently sense and identify products. It then directs consumers to those products on Amazon’s website for immediate purchase. The camera works by scanning barcodes instantly to identify physical products, or listening for music, television shows, and movies. For physical products, consumers are taken to the purchase page. For media, they can opt to buy downloadable copies or streaming variants, or they can opt to buy it in CD, DVD, or Blu-Ray format. The advantage here is that the technology on the Fire phone points users to purchase even more Amazon merchandise—a feature that other popular smartphone retailers don’t have.

A Consolidated, All-Amazon Experience

The ability to customize Android has given Amazon the opportunity to easily connect users to all of its serve with one touch of the screen. The Fire Phone comes with Prime Music built-in, automatically links to the Amazon store when using the product-finding Firefly camera, and features full Amazon Instant Video and Prime Video capabilities. It’s a seamless effort that makes Amazon the center of the user experience and, Amazon hopes, the center of users’ digital lives. Until now, Amazon users have been using various brands of smartphones, however, now that they have the option to sync all their Amazon accounts to their phone, this could draw in a new portion of customers. Obviously, these customers will be leaving other smartphones to embrace the full Amazon experience, which could mean trouble for other competitors in the market.

An AT&T Exclusive Deal Reminiscent of the iPhone

Amazon’s forthcoming smartphone is an AT&T exclusive, much like the iPhone was when it was released in 2007. This effectively locks out customers on Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint in the United States, giving AT&T a major new draw as competition heats up in the American wireless industry. As mentioned before, those who consider themselves frequent shoppers at Amazon.com might be enticed to switch to the carrier, however. This exclusivity could cause a major shift in the smartphone industry among carriers, which has the potential to affect the market both positively and negatively.

Eye Tracking and a Limited 3D User Interface

The two biggest interface developments brought to market by the Fire Phone are the combination of 3D user interface elements and eye-tracking capabilities. The 3D user interface does not require glasses, and uses an “immersive parallax” design to simulated separate dimensions or layers of visual content. This 3D software is paired with eye tracking, primarily to make sure that 3D effects move with the user’s position. The eye tracking capabilities also allow the phone to open certain menus with a mere tilt of the device, however, requiring no touch input at all. That’s certainly a new and exciting feature for the Fire Phone that’s lacking in competitors’ offerings. Although other designers are incorporating 3D technology in new phone designs, if this feature is successful for the Fire phone, it could put all other competitors behind the curve. On the other hand, if this new technology doesn’t work as well as Amazon had hoped, it could allow competitors time to fine-tune and improve upon Amazon’s mistakes.

Amazon seems to be trying to shake up a smartphone market that many people thought had settled into a period of relative stability. With a 3D interface, eye tracking, exclusive deals, and new paradigms for finding products online, the company’s competitors may have to start working overtime to counter its intrusion into their industry. Information for this article was provided by the smartphone professionals at Apple Shark where you can sell old iPhones, even if your device is broken or damaged.

About Author: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

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