Vodafone tests a new technology to identify the activity of their users on Internet
03/06/2022Vodafone has begin to test a new way of tracking the activity of their users on the network. This is an advertising identification system called TrustPid, which works by creating a fixed ID for each customer at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) level. After that, this ID will associates all user activity with it. The objective is to use the data obtained for the distribution of publicity and personalized advertising and to prevent publishers from losing revenue. According to the company, there is no way to circumvent the system at the browser level, blocking cookies or masking the IP address and they assure that it is a simple toll if people want to continue consuming high-quality content on the Internet without paying. “Consumers appreciate the idea of the free internet, but this needs a trade-off: publishers need a sustainable revenue model, which means adding subscription paywalls or relying on advertising to keep free access and ensure high-quality content”, they justify. At the moment, Vodafone is testing advertising identification in Germany with some of the country's largest websites, Bild.de and Deutsche Telekom, the parent company of T-Mobile.
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5G Automotive Association tests real-time safety notifications for vehicles and pedestrians
08/04/20225G Automotive Association, the organization that brings together technology companies and car manufacturers with the common goal of creating and applying vehicle solutions to make future mobility a reality, have tested a new safety concept for drivers and pedestrians. The innovation is based on real-time safety notifications for vehicles and pedestrians using high-speed 5G mobile technology and multi-access computing, so the car can communicate its position to nearby infrastructure to alert pedestrians and other vehicles, as well as receive emergency notifications from the mobile network. The 5GAA connected car concept uses fixed on-site cameras and sensors to collect detailed data. This information is a plus for what the vehicle can “see” using its on-board systems. With a high-speed 5G mobile connection, the system can quickly make decisions where the data is collected, for example in a pedestrian crossing, to communicate safety risks to oncoming pedestrians and vehicles. The tests have been carried out in Blacksburg, Virginia with a team installed in a Jeep Wrangler 4xe hybrid. Some companies that have participated in the testing are, Intel, Verizon, Stellentins, American Tower, CapGemini, Telus, Harman, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
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Google tests parcel delivery drones from shop's roofs
18/10/2021Google is testing a new drone product delivery system in Australia, with launch platforms from the store's roofs. To carry out the test, Google have the collaboration of the Vicinity’s shopping centres. Their customers can buy their products online and a drone waiting on the store's roof will take the items to the delivery address. In addition, Google tests the same take-off system from the store itself and not from the distribution centres, in Logan, United States, where more than 2,500 deliveries have already been made successfully with this system. As a curiosity and according to these results, the most demanded products by this system are teas, shakes, sushi and food. In the next weeks the system will be also prepare to delivered medicines and beauty and personal hygiene products.
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Starlink will finish its satellite Internet tests in October
21/09/2021Starlink's beta program, the high-speed Internet service for rural areas without broadband connection, will end its trial period next October. After a year of testing this system, more than 1.800 satellites in orbit and a stable coverage in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Spain, Space X is waiting for the approval of the rest of the countries where the company has already registered its trademark to operate - Austria, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, France, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Africa – being their goal to offer global satellite internet service in a short time. To take advantage of Starlink in areas without terrestrial Internet coverage you will need a special installation kit, which includes a terminal station, a WiFi 'router' and an antenna to connect to the satellite network.
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The development of 6G advances, and its logo is ready
02/05/2024The development of 6G advances, which already has an identifying logo The telecommunications industry is quickly advancing towards the sixth generation of mobile connectivity, known as 6G, and an excellent example of this is the recent presentation of the new official logo of these next generation of connectivity. The presentation was given by the 3GPP, the organization in charge of developing global standards for mobile technology. The new logo, featuring a modern, cutting-edge design, symbolizes the innovative spirit of 6G and its potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology. The visual design reflects the unprecedented speed and connectivity expected from this new generation. Which are the new features of 6G? 3GPP is currently working on the technical specifications that will define 6G, and the release of the official logo indicates that the process is progressing as planned. 6G promises incredibly fast data speeds – up to 1Tbps maximum download speed –, extremely low latency and the ability to mix reality with the virtual world, including holographic communications with the help of advanced artificial intelligence. When is 6G expected? Although 6G is still in its early stages of development, the launch of the official logo is a warning that its configuration is advancing, although before this happens, the launch of 5G+ or advanced 5G mobile technology is planned this year. Between 2026 and 2028, the first real tests of 6G standards could be carried out and in 2030, 6G is expected to begin commercialization. The official unveiling of the 6G mobile connectivity logo will take place from May 8 to 10 at an IMT2030 workshop in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Meta test end-to-end encryption on calls and messages in their virtual reality glasses
30/05/2022Meta announced some time ago their desire to improve the privacy of their users and the confidentiality of their conversations, and in accordance with this, the company has just presented a new software update, v40, for its Meta Quest 2 virtual reality glasses, which tests the encryption of end-to-end of both calls and Messenger conversations that can be done through this device. In addition, this update incorporates a new function in App Unlock, which allows the user to block certain games and 'apps' with a security pattern plan. Another new feature is the secure payment system in 3D Secure, which is presented as an alternative to the Oculus app. The Meta Quest 2 glasses also receive with this update the possibility of being paired with other keyboards through Bluetooth connectivity, being fully compatible with Apple keyboards. Finally, among the outstanding novelties of this new v40 update, is the possibility of hearing the same thing from the speakers on the left and right of the viewfinder and even from the headphone jack. In addition, there is the option to adjust the left and right audio channels for those who hear better from one side than the other.
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New Wifi technology to accurately count seated people
27/09/2021Small natural gestures such crossing your legs, checking your mobile, or scratching your nose are enough to count the number of people sitting in certain space. A group of researchers from the University of California have developed a system that overcomes the precision problems that the lack of movement during most of the time in seated people caused in this type of counting operations. This new system also allows those seated behind a wall to be counted. The new technology that is suitable for Wi-Fi devices is based on a mathematical model that, in a similar way to how the queue management theory works, relates the total number of gestures to the number of people sitting in the same space. Accuracy is 96.3, based on tests performed during the study. In addition, the researchers say, the system offers an accuracy of almost 90%, in the detection of people behind the walls or dividing columns of any space.
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WhatsApp offers the multi-device service in beta version
24/09/2021WhatsApp has announced that in some IOS mobiles it´s available to test the new multi-device functionality. This new service allows this instant messaging application to be available on four devices at the same time without any Smartphone connected. For run it, it´s necessary to have the latest WhatsApp update. To find out if our Smartphone can access this beta test, click on the three points in the upper right part of the WhatsApp interface and choose the option "Linked devices". If you have WhatsApp version later than 2.21.180.14, you will then be offered multi-device test support. The developers warn as this is a beta version can appear some problems with the quality of the new service and they announced that the multi-device service will be able to everyone when it passes all the tests.
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Makeup causes failures in facial recognition systems
22/09/2021A research from the Ben-Gurion University of Israel has concluded that makeup reduces the effectiveness of facial recognition mechanisms. During the tests, the researchers used the ArcFace facial detection system, and they determined an effectiveness of 47,6% in people who did not use make up and 33,7% in those who did. They also confirm that applying makeup in specific face areas that algorithms analyze, the effectiveness of the facial recognition system is significantly altered and only 1.22% persons were recognized. In addition, the researchers from the Israeli university also did the test digitally, making up some photographs of the volunteers and the result was that the system was not able to recognize any of the faces. According to all these results, the researchers believe that the current level of development of facial detection systems is still below the realistic threshold.
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