Tag: Tech innovation

  • Hajjis to get mobile sims and free internet

    Hajjis to get mobile sims and free internet

    Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed has said that the government will provide free-of-cost mobile SIMs with roaming internet packages for pilgrims, on Tuesday.

    He further stated that female abayas having a Pakistani flag on the backside and 13 Kg suitcases will also be provided to pilgrims performing hajj this year.

    The minister said that it was a historic step that the caretaker government has declared a significant reduction of one lac in government Hajj expenses, adding that a further Rs50,000 will also be reduced in the coming few days after which Hajjaj will get back their money in their accounts.

    He further revealed that a new mobile application has been designed to assist pilgrims, which will provide navigation support and enable constant communication between pilgrims and relevant officials.

    Initially available in English and Urdu, the application will later incorporate various regional languages, he said, adding that, the app will also provide digital training programs to every pilgrim.

    The minister also disclosed a project that the Ministry of Hajj in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has planned to convert city mosques into schools to enroll out-of-school children where the Imam of mosques will play a leading role.

    Minister said that mosques will play their role as community centers in every city area, adding that imams will resolve community issues as well after offering prayers.

    He said that the Ministry of Hajj is taking all four provinces on board and enhancing the connectivity of mosques.

    While describing another project, minister for religious affairs said that his ministry with the collaboration of health ministry has another project in which medical clinics will also be part of mosques.

    Lady health workers and other essential staff of doctors will also be provided in all masajid where they will facilitate to citizens visiting inside the masque of areas, he added.

  • Pakistani Hajjis to get special perks to make pilgrimage easier

    The Ministry of Religious Affairs has unveiled its Hajj policy for 2024, designed to bring a revolutionary transformation to the pilgrimage journey for Pakistani pilgrims.

    Caretaker Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed announced this game-changing policy, which will be presented to the cabinet for approval within the next 10 days.

    The most striking feature is the introduction of a short Hajj option, where pilgrims have the flexibility to go for Hajj from 18 to 30 days, which empowers pilgrims to customise their journey as per their preference.

    QR codes for suitcases

    The new policy also introduces technological advances in which each Hajj pilgrim will be provided with two specially designed suitcases adorned with QR codes. These QR codes will contain essential information such as the pilgrim’s name, passport number, residence, school number, and other pertinent details. This innovation aims to streamline logistics and enhance security during the pilgrimage.

    Special Mobile Package

    In a significant step towards connectivity, the ministry has secured an agreement with a Saudi Arabian mobile phone company to offer a special mobile package exclusively for Hajj pilgrims. Priced at Rs 4,000, it enables pilgrims to make audio and video calls, ensuring they can stay in touch with their families back in Pakistan throughout their Hajj journey.

    Minister Aneeq Ahmed expressed his optimism about these advancements, stating, “Now Pakistani pilgrims will not be lost in the crowd. These changes are designed to simplify the Hajj experience, enhance communication, and provide pilgrims with peace of mind.”

    Additionally, the Saudi government has offered official residences for Pakistani pilgrims, further easing their accommodations during their sacred journey.

  • Apple’s next big hit? iPhone 15 Pro Max set to redefine smartphone photography

    Apple’s next big hit? iPhone 15 Pro Max set to redefine smartphone photography

    The highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro Max is poised to establish itself as Apple’s flagship smartphone, boasting an innovative periscope lens that promises remarkable optical zoom capabilities, potentially ranging from 5X to 10X. According to insights from esteemed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this groundbreaking addition has ignited speculation about the iPhone 15 Pro Max becoming a dominant force in Apple’s product lineup.

    Scheduled for unveiling at Apple’s September 12 event, the iPhone 15 series is generating fervent excitement among tech enthusiasts. Notably, the standard iPhone 15 models are poised to receive notable enhancements such as the integration of a USB Type-C port and the introduction of Dynamic Island. In stark contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, also referred to as the iPhone 15 Ultra, could potentially redefine the landscape with its revolutionary features.

    In a recent communication by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo via Medium (as reported by 9to5Mac), an intriguing projection has been put forth. Kuo suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro Max might contribute to an impressive 35–40 per cent of Apple’s initial shipments, potentially ascending to the pinnacle of their sales chart. This forecast is substantiated by an anticipated 10 per cent surge in projected shipments for the iPhone 15 Pro compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The focal point of this enhancement lies in the inclusion of the periscope lens, an exclusive offering dedicated solely to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Read more: iPhone 14 owners unhappy as battery health capacity drops to 90% in less than a year

    The forthcoming periscope lens, seamlessly integrated into the telephoto lens configuration, holds the promise of delivering optical zoom capabilities ranging between 5X and 6X. Remarkably, there is even speculation, as proposed by Apple Insider’s Andrew O’Hara, that these capabilities might push the boundaries to an astonishing 10X zoom, akin to the acclaimed features of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. This strategic emphasis on the periscope lens underscores Apple’s unwavering confidence in its allure, a feature that sets the iPhone 15 Pro Max apart, as emphasised in Kuo’s comprehensive analysis.

    If this projection materialises into reality, it signifies a compelling willingness among consumers to invest significantly for access to premium iPhone offerings. While the authenticity of these claims remains unverified, there are subtle indications of a potential $200 price increment for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, marking a significant shift and the first such adjustment since the iPhone 11 series. The convergence of cutting-edge technology and consumer demand is positioning the iPhone 15 Pro Max as a formidable contender in the smartphone arena.

  • Snapchat is offering users $1 million a day to use a new feature

    Snapchat is offering users $1 million a day to use a new feature

    Snapchat is rolling out a new tool for its application to feature popular videos, called Spotlight and is offering $1 million a day to creators of top-performing posts. To earn the money, video submitters to Spotlight don’t have to have large followers or even have public profiles. Instead, an algorithm will determine what to show Snapchat users based on how often others view their content.

    The new feature will help Snapchat in a competitive market for posting entertaining videos online, dominated by Facebook, Instagram and Google’s YouTube, with China-based ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok rising fast among younger audiences. Snap Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel has eschewed public metrics, such as likes and follows, that drive the market for influencers, the most-followed users on photo-sharing apps.

    Social media platforms are striving to attract the makers of quality content. TikTok plans to spend more than $1 billion in the US in the next three years on video-makers. Instagram has been paying some of TikTok’s top stars to test out its TikTok copycat feature, ‘Reels’. Instagram also recently started for the first time sharing revenue on video ads with creators, as YouTube does.

    Snap shares have almost tripled this year to a record $45.38 earlier this month as young people turn to Snapchat to message friends videos during the coronavirus. The app also features television shows and magazines designed for a young audience on mobile. ‘Spotlight’ will initially launch in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France.

  • Ministry of Science and Tech to introduce a video games certification programme

    Ministry of Science and Tech to introduce a video games certification programme

    Federal Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, announced a special programme of animation and video games certification to encourage young people to be part of the multi-billion dollar gaming industry.

    The minister said that they are looking to make people a part of the $900 million programming industry. He said that this new programme is especially targeted at those uninterested in studying and looking into video game development instead. According to him, the certification program should prove to be a “game-changer” for many. The tweet does not reveal any details, but since the Minister talks about Smartphone games, we can expect the program to lean more towards phone apps and games.

    The new initiative will be providing animation and video games certification programmes to young people in order to boost the local gaming industry.

  • ‘Vision-S’: Sony surprises consumers with electric concept car

    Many tech companies have been trying to diversify their portfolio but for Sony to launch a futuristic self-driving electric (E)-car is unprecedented.

    At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 in Las Vegas, Sony surprised the world by showcasing their Vision-S sedan car, which is a fully electric concept car.

    The Vision-S features 33 different sensors inside and outside of the car, multiple widescreen displays, 360 audio, and always-on connectivity, with other items installed after collaboration with companies like BlackBerry and Bosch.

    The Vision-S has 200 kilowatts (kW) dual electric motors connected with all wheels which give an impressive acceleration of 0-62 miles per hour (mph) in 4.8 seconds, along with a top speed of 149 mph, which is 239 in kilometres per hour (kph).

    The interior is very futuristic as one might expect. The stand-out feature is a panoramic touchscreen dashboard linked to Sony’s 360 Reality Audio that gives you a truly immersive experience while driving.

    There have been reports suggesting that due to the hype surrounding the new concept car, Sony is now going to work on an actual car that we can expect to see on the roads in less than six month.

    Check out Sony’s official reveal of the Vision-S sedan