New Technology : Build a DIY iBeacon with a Raspberry Pi

ibeacon-raspberry-pi

Advertisements targeted to a particular user walking through a metropolitan center are the stuff of dystopian futures, demonstrated notably by the Tom Cruise movie Minority Report. But that isn’t a dystopian future: the technology is already here. Although it doesn’t rely on rapid identification using your retina, it does use Bluetooth. Developed by Apple, iBeacon was developed to provide location-based information to iOS users, using a device’s proximity to trigger a personalized advertisement or track a user’s movements. Google also created their own versatile Beacons specification, although support for that is limited at present as developers get to grips with it. Unsurprisingly,...

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New Technology : Apple Plans to Produce Movies, Android Wear on iOS… [Tech News Digest]

apple-laughing

Apple makes move into movies, Apple powers Android Wear, Ashley Madison lives on, Giffiti adds GIFs, and the Back to the Future trilogy distilled down to its barest bones. Apple Plans Original Programming I'm all for original Apple TV programming, but what has the App Store taught us about Apple's content policies? — Sean Hollister (@StarFire2258) September 1, 2015 Apple is reportedly planning a move into original programming. According to Variety, Apple is actively in talks with Hollywood executives about forthcoming efforts to produce their own movies and television shows. Details are thin on the ground, but this move could...

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New Technology : 5 Sites That Make Decisions for You

cwa-decisions

Why did Steve Jobs always wear the same black turtleneck and jeans? Why does President Obama rotate between the same two suits? In both cases this is about decision fatigue. Research shows that making too many decisions exhausts your ability to make more, which is why many people try to remove unimportant decisions from their day by planning ahead. Steve Jobs didn’t want to think about clothing, so he wore the same thing all the time. If you want to remove a few decisions from your day, Cool Websites and Apps is here to help with a few sites designed...

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New Technology : A Minimalist Look at the Evolution of Batman and Joker

BatmanMinimalist

Is there a bigger rivalry in the world of comic books than Batman and Joker? Sure, Superman and Lex Luthor really hate each other, but their feuds don’t seem to carry the same iconic power as Batman and Joker. From the early television show, to The Dark Knight, and now even in the new movies that aren’t out yet, these two are always at each other’s throats. While the hatred between Batman and Joker is a constant, they’ve certainly changed over the years. Check out the cool images below that feature a minimalist look at the two characters and how...

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New Technology : Why Upgrading from Windows XP to Linux is Easier than You Think

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Since at least the mid 1980’s, I’ve been a Microsoft Windows guy. After testing a few interesting Linux distros, I can honestly say that Linux is actually winning me over. From MS-DOS through Windows 8.1, I remained staunch in my defense that the only way to have a full and productive experience as a computer user was to have a Windows PC with access to the wealth of software available to Windows users. However, after recently trying Chromebook, it dawned on me that maybe other operating systems can be just as productive. Since Chrome OS is actually based on the...

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New Technology : 11 Hilarious Instagram Accounts You Need To Follow Right Now

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Instagram is my favorite of the major social networks; while anything and everything gets posted to Facebook and Twitter, Instagram always feels more focused. It’s just a stream of photos and captions. That doesn’t mean it has to be serious, there are some hilariously funny Instagram accounts out there to liven up your feed. From awesome old ladies to crazy ex-boyfriends, these 11 hysterical accounts have something everyone should enjoy. imnotathirdwheel Alright guys, I get it, you're adorable…now let me try this thing! #sharingiscaring #frothylove #threesgoodcompany #tripleblessed #tresequis #tripod #wheresaldo #orangemochafrappuccino #kanye #bae #nyc #summer #wheresthechocolatesauce #bushleague #love #thirdwheel #bff #puppies...

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New Technology : How to Impress Headhunters with Alternative Work Experience

alternative-work-experience

Instead of merely changing jobs and hoping for the best, consider taking a step sideways. Think outside the box. Create your own unique career path. Find fulfilling work by adapting your role to incorporate your talents. Or go ahead and pick up some wildly different skills that will impress the headhunters and interviewers. For instance, if you’re down on your luck and can’t get your ideal job right now, why not try doing something completely different? Strangely, it might put you back on course and even place you ahead of the pack at your next interview. Make your own alternative job experience. It might be the...

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New Technology : What Is SU & Why Is It Important to Using Linux Effectively?

su-linux

Linux has a lot of security measures in place that are meant to protect your system from threats and sometimes (admittedly) our own stupidity. There are three main features that exist to limit and provide access as needed — file permissions, file ownership, and the root user account. Also known as the super user account (or SU for short), the root user account is a powerful tool that can be very helpful when used correctly or absolutely devastating if used recklessly. Today, we’re going to go into deeper detail about the SU account and why you should be responsible when...

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New Technology : Buying Wireless Headphones? Here Are 6 Things You Need to Know

wireless-headphones

With less clutter and more convenience, wireless products (wireless charging and wireless networking to name a couple) are proving more and more popular in comparison to their older, wired alternatives. Yet when it comes to headphones, cutting the cord is not always so straightforward. Headphones powered by Bluetooth, especially, often get a bad rap. They still offer benefits, however, once you know all the issues involved. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most important things you need to know about wireless headphones. 1. Types of Wireless There are three main types of wireless headphones, which can...

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New Technology : 3 UNIX-Like Operating Systems That Aren’t Linux

unix-like

Over the past decade or so, people have really started to confuse “UNIX” with “Linux” as if they are basically the same thing — but that’s not true. It’s a murky area to tread, but the distinction basically comes down to how you define the terms. UNIX has roots reaching as far back as the 1960s but the name didn’t manifest until the 1970s with the birth of a project named Unics. Over the next few decades, UNIX ended up splitting into many different branches, each with their unique twists. Linux was not one of those branches. In fact, Linux...

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