How Technology Has Created the Digital Gig Economy

0

It used to be that employees were expected to show up at a certain time and leave at a certain time. They earned an hourly wage or a salary. Usually, they also had a set number of hours a week they were expected to work, regardless of whether their place of employment was busy or not. Technology has changed the nature of their work, and made way for the development of the gig economy.

The Gig Economy

The gig economy isn’t about employees. It’s about independent workers. They’re typically freelancers or contractors. They get no benefits and sometimes, they work a lot. If a company they usually do work for has no work for them, they don’t work. Gig workers work from job to job and get to work within a wide range of career areas. Though it may seem like a lot, all of this is possible because of technology.

The Modern Workforce

Technology has made the workforce digital, and jobs are changing to compensate. People who work as gig workers often don’t work at a company’s site and instead work at home, in coffee shops, and other places. They communicate with potential employers mostly via email. These workers find potential gigs on job boards or through their networking efforts. If they don’t want to take on a gig job for whatever reason, they’re not required to.

The Ramifications

People who work as gig workers have more flexibility. Technology allows many of them to work anywhere that they have an Internet connection. If they’ve managed their business resources correctly, they don’t have to work for companies or people they don’t care for. Many giggers also find that this type of employment may allow easier entry into a career opportunities they want. They just need to take on a short-term project or two to build the experience section on their resumes. However, many giggers find income inconsistent. They also deal with company bosses who still want to treat them as employees instead of independent business owners, which can create conflict and, in some cases, legal issues. Companies who hire gig workers must be very careful of the demands they place on these workers. Otherwise, these workers could be seen as employees, making them eligible for all the rights and benefits of being an employee.

Technology has changed pretty much every aspect of a business, opening up work opportunities for those who want to work in the gig economy. This change has also helped employers increase profitability because they only have to only hire workers when they need them. However, this job trend has some downsides, too, which both employer and worker need to consider before participating in the gig economy.

For more content about technology in the workplace, read on here!

Is 2020 the Year We Finally Get Robot Doctors?

0

In healthcare today, companies are leveraging technological advancement to develop new robotic applications. These robotic machines will help to improve the dispensing of healthcare, such as in bionics, rehabilitations, and disease discovery. Here is some information about robots in the medical field and if they could soon be our primary healthcare professionals.

Small Robots

The most recent development in healthcare includes microbots used for diagnosis, which are remote-controlled camera-equipped microdevices that can be safely swallowed by the patient and allow doctors to diagnose a condition. Prosthetics have changed in recent years, with bionic limbs becoming lighter, more affordable, and connected to the human brain. Telemedicine is a communication system enabled by robots to enhance remote communication between patients, doctors, and hospital staff.

Artificial Intelligence

The AI market in healthcare is expected to grow to attain an all-time high of $6.6 billion by 2021. Artificial intelligence projects are projected to take a much bigger role in 2020 and could revolutionize diagnostic procedures. The AI systems that have been under training to recognize features that are characteristic of various conditions are projected to be released in 2020, such as the IDx-DR. The IDx-Rx is an FDA-approved autonomous AI system that can diagnose diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, the RetinaScope, an application by the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, is expected to enter the market in 2020. RetinaScope is an AI-diagnostic application that utilizes a smartphone camera to diagnose diabetic retinopathy. Other AI-base functions that are projected for 2020 are assisting in screening processes, enhancing outcomes in cancer patients, improve research in genetics, and remote monitoring of patients.

Other Uses of Robots in Healthcare

In hospitals, robots can be used for more than medical procedures. In 2020, robotic projects are expected to be utilized in cleaner rooms and sterilization to prevent infections. The delivery robots, which are diligent autonomous systems, are expected to free up professionals to focus on the patients. The robots will help improve hospital communication by providing a quick avenue for staff to communicate and diagnose. By letting the robots focus on the more mundane, yet important, tasks, doctors can get more done.

Robotic technology is here to stay, and, thus, several revolutionary robotics projects are expected in 2020 in the healthcare industry. The robots are expected to enhance treatment and improve long-term outcomes for patients. To attain all these goals, a few obstacles will have to be overcome in 2020.

How Technology Can Make Employee Training More Effective

0

Technology has changed just about every aspect of modern life, including learning and education. Nowadays, there is a whole industry, educational technology, that’s dedicated to the development of tech tools that support learning. These learning technologies aren’t just for high school kids. Corporate trainers who use technology in their training programs see many benefits. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why learning technologies are improving business training.

Learning Software

Businesses can gain many benefits from using a learning management system to train their employees. One of the key learning tools that business leaders can use is learning software. Learning or education software is software that has been created specifically to promote learning. These software programs combine pictures, sound, text and video to deliver the content. These elements promote student engagement and learning because many of their senses are involved, and often, these software programs are created to be both fun and educational.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has hit the education world by storm, and it shows no signs of slowing down. (The revenue for this industry is estimated at $200 million as of 2020.) Virtual reality brings a couple of important features to the education table. First, it doesn’t overload our brain’s cognitive functions, which makes learning easier. Next, virtual reality helps with memory because the immersion in virtual worlds helps learners to make spatial associations with the learning material. Finally, learning is easier if it’s experienced rather than just read.

Educational Games

Because educational games are fun, many people dismiss how powerful they are as teaching tools. They’re engaging because they’re fun. What people often forget is that play is how we learned best as children. However, the power of educational games goes beyond even the fun factor. Think about how games work nowadays. You can’t move up to the next level of the game until you’ve mastered the level you’re at. In the classroom or training setting, this means that students cannot advance until they’ve mastered the material they need to learn. This deepens learning in ways that many traditional teaching methods cannot replicate, at least not very easily.

The concept of fun in education seems to fly in the face of what we’ve been taught about education. Nowadays, rote learning is being replaced by educational technologies that make learning fun. Fortunately for corporate trainers, many of these tools have been developed with business training in mind. This means that technologies like virtual reality, educational games and comics and other fun learning tools are taking their rightful place in business training programs.

Read more here: Think Your Business Won’t Benefit from New Tech? Think Again

Latest Tech Updates for Video Game Audio Design

0

Technology continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and the video game industry is no exception. Video games have become far more sophisticated in recent years, and changes to audio are some of the most noticeable differences. What should game enthusiasts expect from these changes in technology?

Leading Tech

Logic Studio is one of the commonly taught programs for music production. Even though this program is one of the older applications in use, it is still popular, with an update in June 2019. This update helps keep Apple established as a leader in video game technology. Wwise from Audiokinetic is another leader in the field, creating audio solutions that work across all major gaming platforms. Adobe has seen a decline in the video game world, with support for Flash being discontinued in 2020.

Are There New Roles to Consider in Video Game Design?

As the technology for video game audio design continues to evolve, there will be a greater need for professionals who handle the different aspects of audio. One of the more well-known positions involves composing the musical score for games. Video games now have more complicated storylines that include the use of elements like movie-style soundtracks. Sounds used in video games have also gotten more elaborate, with more authentic sounds in many cases. Games based on popular movies and TV shows, for example, will often have music and sounds similar to the production’s soundtrack. These elements, along with many games featuring speaking characters, have created more life-like gaming experiences.

Open Source Programs

Open-source programs have also commonly been used in video game development. One of the advantages that these types of programs offer includes more updates and greater customization options for those with the necessary programming experience. The open-source applications also make it possible to create video games without spending money on more expensive software suites. One of the better-known open source options that allow the creation of audio elements in games is Cocos2d-x. Audacity is also one of the most popular open-source audio programs, popular for both its ease of use and sound quality. Access to these types of programs provides some of the most considerable flexibility for anyone working with audio in video games.

Video game audio design is a field that always has a fascinating new development of some type in the works. The more you learn about these developments. The more exciting new technology will be for you.

Here’s another article you might like: How to Set Up an Outdoor Video Game Tournament

4 Ways You Can Use Technology to Protect Yourself From Hackers

0

One of the most prevalent threats in the cyber-world are hackers. They can cost you dearly in downtime and can put you and your business at risk of theft. To keep yourself and your business data safe, there are technologies you can put in place to shield your information and to keep your client data protected.

Virtual Private Network

A virtual private network, also known as a VPN, is a way to share encrypted information between computers as though you were functioning on a private network. Passwords are required to make sure that anyone logging into the VPN is authentic. A quality VPN service will verify each computer to access the network. Additionally, you can subscribe to a VPN service with a kill-switch. Any suspicious activity shuts down the network to avoid data loss.

Personal and Business VPNs

A quality VPN service will not be able to view your data or any information specific to your client. It provides an envelope in which your business can function safely by connecting with other verified computers. A VPN can be set up on your personal computer and is a good choice if you work remotely, especially if you choose to connect to public Wi-Fi services.

Two-Factor Authorization

Two-factor authorization is initiated when your client sets up an account. The client will need to create a password. In addition to the password, the client will likely need to enter a code that is sent by your VPN service to another device, such as a cell phone. Once your new client is able to verify who he or she is on both devices, the account is activated. Without such verification, the account setup can’t be completed. It’s generally advised that you should learn to protect yourself from cyber extortion. In addition to including this verification step during the initial setup, your clients will need to undergo this same process if they change their passwords.

Stay Vigilant

Hackers are always looking for new ways to tap into data. While two-factor authorization is a great start, the data you store online is vulnerable. The theft of a customer list can put you and your business at great legal risk. If you’re feeling suspicious of something, you’re probably correct in your thinking. It doesn’t hurt to look into something just to make sure it’s not the sign of a data breach.

Whether you’re an independent contractor or a business owner, shielding information is key to your job. Your clients deserve and should expect your discretion. If you travel, consider setting up a personal VPN. Be prepared to collect the data needed to set up a two-factor verification system.

For all the latest tech info, subscribe to our podcast!

How Technology Is Changing CBD

0

With the recent omission of cannabidiol – or CBD – from the Controlled Substances Act, countless businesses have cropped up dedicated to the production and sale of what is known today as CBD oil. In tandem with the rise of this industry, business owners are seeking out the latest cutting-edge technology for not just production but the quality control of the end product. For the most part, technology is sure to bring numerous benefits to the quality of CBD. It is important, however, to also exercise caution when considering certain CBD products and how to safely use them.

Cultivation

Many large hemp farms have employed the use of sensors that measure plant health. This includes heat and temperature sensors utilized to ensure the best environmental conditions for ideal hemp plant growth. Furthermore, the wide availability of LED light technology has made in-house plant growing much more efficient and cost-effective than ever before. What’s more, advanced extraction technologies make it possible to develop CBD oil in various forms, from isolates and sprays to edibles and capsules.

Delivery Systems

As stated previously, you now have a wide array of choices as to how you want to consume your CBD oil. With that said, some delivery methods come with more safety concerns. This is especially true when it comes to vaping. Not all CBD oils should be vaped, in fact it takes more than just adding a few drops to your pen to make it work. It is imperative that you know the type of oil you are vaping. Even if the extract is sold in a vape pen or cartridge, this does not mean it is safe. Many of these strains are diluted with a combination of oils and fats derived from sources such as coconut oil. While this is perfectly fine for eating, it can be quite dangerous for inhaling. Instead, vaping strains extracted using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent are highly recommended. In addition, it may be best to find different ways to apply or consume CBD such as edible gummies or tinctures.

Body Absorption

A common challenge for many industries is how to make their products more easily absorbed in the bloodstream and, therefore, work more effectively. Human bodies do not readily take in CBD and much of it gets discarded from the system before it has a chance to benefit you. A fairly new technology, which has traditionally been used to measure the effectiveness of other drugs, has recently been employed to measure certain CBD oils and how well they are absorbed by the human system. This process, called Nanotechnology, reduces the CBD extract to nanoscopic particles at the molecular level. As a result, these particles are small enough to be better absorbed by the body and enter the bloodstream more readily. As more and more people turn an interested eye toward CBD as a safer, more effective treatment for a vast number of conditions and disorders, the CBD industry is projected to reach billions of dollars. As the demand for CBD increases, so must the development of new and innovative technologies to provide consumers with the best quality for their individual needs.

How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Major Industries

0

As robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence processes become more prevalent in major industries across the world, many people are becoming worried that these machines will replace workers in these industries. While it’s true that certain jobs will be filled by machines in the future, this is no different than any other time in history, when new technologies changed workplace dynamics. There are always new types of jobs that need to be filled. It is exciting to think about all the ways that AI can benefit major industries.

Manufacturing

There is no denying that machines are beneficial to the manufacturing industry and have been increasingly used in many automated processes. However, it is also true that machines imbued with artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly used as well. According to Autodesk, generative design is a new process that uses AI software to explore all of the possibilities of an engineered design with specific parameters, filters, and generated design alternatives. Then, the software uses machine learning in each iteration to delineate what is a successful design and what is not.

AI can also help with predictive maintenance by having machines that can report on their own conditions in real time. This saves on time, labor, and resources. Predictive maintenance also involves the highly beneficial analysis by AI of all pertinent data available to know how often and under what circumstances a machine will need repair.

Medical Field

AI is capable of transforming the medical field in a myriad of ways. Intelligent machines can analyze imaging and offer diagnoses as accurately as health care workers, and AI software can be used to predict treatment outcomes based on data. Medical care systems can benefit from AI that streamlines data storage, record keeping, and other tasks. According to Logical Medical Systems, AI will make robotic surgery and proactive patient monitoring possible by collecting real-time data.

Automotive

Everyone is aware of the use of AI in so-called “self-driving” automobiles because of the media attention these vehicles receive. The reality, though, is that there are multiple ways in which AI is being used in the automotive industry to improve many aspects of automotive design and production. Machine learning is used in product design and for sales and marketing. Machine learning software can identify potential issues before they occur. AI is also used to analyze testing and simulation, and computer vision cameras are used to detect minute cracks in materials.

These are just some of the industries that will continue to be impacted by AI innovation. While different industries have different outputs and products, they all share basic processes, such as data accumulation, design, testing, and other similar workings. AI can make all of these processes better and more efficient, which will lead to humans living more productive lives.

Here’s another article you might like: Why You Should Be Excited About New Healthcare Technology

How to Set Up an Outdoor Video Game Tournament

0

Almost everyone loves the outdoors; however, with everyone loving gaming just as much, getting outside can be a bit of a task. Hosting your very own outdoor gaming tournament is a great way to combine the best of both worlds. You can catch some much-needed sun and spend time with friends, all while maintaining your high score. Here are a few tips to help you set your game day off the right way.

Setting Up

Of course, the first thing you need to do when setting up your tournament is to declare a designated area for the event. You want to take into account the number of people who will be in attendance and to make sure you have enough sitting room as well as walking space. You should set up the area in such a way that it is cozy yet still spacious, such as in a nice-sized backyard. Some cities have centers that are already equipped for gaming, so if you want some of the set-up work to be done for you, that can be a great option.

Getting the Gear

Since this is a gaming tournament, the very first thing you will definitely need is a gaming system. One is your minimum, but depending on how you plan to hold your tournament, you may need multiple devices and controllers. Of course, some of it can be rented if you don’t want to put it in storage. You will definitely need to have a reliable power source that can be accessed from the gaming area, but make sure that the wiring is out of the way so that your guests are not tripping over cords.

Hand Out Prizes

If you are going to host a gaming tournament, then you definitely should have a prize for the winner. You can get really creative and choose things like gift cards, free games, et cetera. If you really want to be the talk of the gaming community, handing out a trophy to the winner is a good way to go. Although this may not be a huge tournament and may be just something for the local community, everyone still loves to win a trophy.

This is your event, so you can put it together any way that you see fit. However, if you want your guests to have a great time and to come back to your next tournament, then make sure you keep it fun. With the mixture of the outdoors with good food and great company, everyone will be a winner at your video game tournament party.

Here’s another article you might like: 3 Cities Esports Have Taken Off In

How to Protect Your iPhone from Damage

0

It’s no secret that iPhones are expensive pieces of hardware. From their impressive battery life to the multitude of available apps, smartphones have lots of good things going for them. As such, you want to keep your smartphone safe. If you know you’re prone to accidents and want to safeguard your phone, read on.

Basic Plastic Case

To give your phone its best life, consider purchasing a plastic case. There are many different styles of iPhone covers, from conservative designs to more stylish ones. Whatever you fancy, you’ll find it. A good plastic case covers the back, sides and part of the front of your phone. Depending on the thickness of the cover, the aftermath of a drop will be dramatically decreased because the cover will absorb the shock. If you’re looking for something lightweight, a plastic case is your best bet. You can up the protection while still finding easy accessibility. For example, smaller plastic cases allow you to quickly retrieve your phone from your pocket. Additionally, plastic cases don’t inhibit the functionality of your phone. This type of purchase is just a good purchase all around.

Leather Wallet Case

Another type of protective case for your iPhone is a leather wallet case. This lets you combine your wallet and phone in one holder. Wallet cases include a pocket for your phone and multiple sleeves for your money and cards. The provide a practical approach to protection. You’ll find your device is enclosed completely with that layer of leather. Leather wallet cases also come in a variety of designs to add your own personal touch. Leather cases can be very durable, but if you want them to stay looking nice, you might want to use a leather care kit on it every so often, especially if it gets scuffed from dropping it all the time.

Screen Protectors

It’s easy to protect the outside of your phone, but what about the delicate front piece? The glass screen is the most fragile part of a phone, and a screen protector can help prevent damage. While they are manufactured with different materials, tempered glass tends to be the strongest and lets you apply a layer of heavy glass over your phone’s screen. Packs of screen protectors can be purchased for a low price; getting extras allows you to always have a backup. If your protector gets cracked, simply take it off and put on a new one. Application is easy, too. In most cases, you’ll just wipe down your screen and stick the protector to it. Everything should easily line up.

Buying a new phone can be expensive, so it’s important to do everything you can to protect the one you have. Between investing in cases and adding a screen protector, you’re sure to protect your phone from damage. By getting the proper protection for it, your device will easily survive your accident-prone ways.

3 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Hearing Aid Technology

0

No matter your hearing challenges, modern hearing aid technology is advancing rapidly and can actually make every aspect of communication easier than ever before. Your options include wireless Bluetooth streaming and the chance to connect to your smartphone.

More Digital

Digital hearing aid technology functionally turns your amplification tools into a pair of highly specialized digital headphones. You can sync many of these to your smartphone or other audio devices to enable you to move from face to face conversation to phone calls quickly and easily. In addition, the rechargeable battery options mean that a single battery charge can take you through the whole day. The first digital hearing aid was developed by Siemens in the 1990s. This technology continues to grow exponentially as the year’s pass.

Safety Features

In addition to digital technology, there are hearing aids on the market that can provide translations or summon help if you fall. This AI option is available in a behind the ear or BTE unit and can help you to monitor your overall health condition on a daily basis. If more activity is your goal, a hearing aid built to offer artificial intelligence as a bonus to providing you with clear audio is a great investment.

Work for All Kinds of Hearing Loss

Whether your hearing loss is conductive and related to problems with the eardrum and bones or if the condition is sensorineural or nerve-related, quality digital hearing aids can provide assistance. With some forms of hearing loss, such as Meniere’s disease, it’s hard to know at what point the hearing loss is permanent. Many forms of hearing loss are caused by inflammation, and steroidal treatment of the condition can help in regaining some hearing. However, if the hearing loss is known to be profound, hearing aids can help no matter the severity of the hearing loss. If the hearing mechanism, including the small bones of the ear and the eardrum, an implant can help. Digital hearing aids can fit both in the ear and over it. These tools are getting smaller and more comfortable for users year by year.

As the baby boomer demographic ages, the risk of hearing loss increases. Many who suffer from hearing loss may worry about dealing with a hearing aid, remember the bulky beige units of yesterday. However, today’s hearing aid users will find themselves well connected to the world once their hearing aids are charged and put to use.

Read this article for information about more ways technology can improve daily life.

883FansLike
79FollowersFollow
1,862FollowersFollow
991FollowersFollow
157SubscribersSubscribe

TechNewsGadget - Latest Gaming & Gadget News

9 User(s) Online Join Server
  • Terbius
  • PatchBot
  • DISBOARD
>