Curious Makes Learning Fun and Easy with the Use of Your iPhone

From the wise words of Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, “Learning is more than the acquisition of the ability to think; it is the acquisition of many specialized abilities for thinking about a variety of things.” And yes, there's no sense in learning if the knowledge you gain only remains in theory; rather, it should yield to the application of what you learned.

With traditional education, we acquire a variety of concepts and know-how within the four corners of the classroom. It was believed that the presence of spatial isolation creates an atmosphere conducive for enhancing focus and attention, so to speak. But over time, it was found out that immersion to the physical entity of the subject matter at hand is the most effective. In addition, the feeling of wanting to learn as compared to having the need to learn can very much be an impetus to acquire knowledge.

It's a fact that not everything we learn from school is worth learning. Just how in the world can calculus help you with cooking a delectable pot roast, or is being familiar with the history of the Babylonian civilization going to make you better in locating a shop within the busy streets of New York City using your smartphone in a mobile car holder? Well, they just aren't that all useful and practical. So, why do we ever need to allocate a portion of our brain cells for storing those information? That's definitely beyond our control, but here's the good news; you now have a choice on what kind of knowledge and skill set you want to learn. With the help of Curious, a program that advocates lifelong learning for people of all race and creed, we can now be better than ever. And now that it has been made a mobile app that is available to the ubiquitous smartphone, learning has just become a tap of a finger away.

Curious App

The Curious app contains a broad category of educational categories, be it arts and crafts, cooking, DIY, home and garden, music, software, foreign languages, photography and filmmaking, academic, health and fitness, sports, and life skills that you can learn from. All you have to do is browse from its over 3,000 bite-sized lessons that range from 5 to 15 minutes, and you're set to make more sense of the world you live in—or simply learn how to dance the salsa. It packs a number of features to enhance your learning experience, such as providing you with supplemental information (images, files, and links), allowing you to pick up lessons where you left off thanks to the LearnSync feature, and not to mention giving its users the assurance that everything in its collection of video lessons are safe and relevant.

Surely, this innovative step from its makers will bring forth a future of skillful individuals. It's no surprise that the Curious app is named one of the 50 Best Apps in 2013 with its uncommonly inviting, unique, and “better way to learn” interface. But sadly, it's only supports iOS for now; hopefully in the near future, it can already be made available for Android users. Be that as it may, just remember, for as long as you're curious, you'll definitely learn. So, stay curious!

Watch TV on Your iPhone with These Apps

As a kid, we've probably said that TV is our life. As a couch potato patootie, from the morning shows till the late night shows—excluding the news programs, of course—we've been always seen catching up with our favorite cartoon channels as we sing along with the official soundtrack of the cartoon flick. Ah! The good ol' days…

Now that we are considered as grownups, we've come to realize that TV is no longer our life—or at least for most busy people. More often than not, we are found tiring our eyes out on our computers, not to watch but to learn, and on our books for studying. More especially if someone is dominating the TV. (ehem, *insert your family members here*!) And also, let's not drift our thoughts away from the handheld device at hand that keeps most of us busy—our smartphones (or could at times be our tablets). Whose eyes aren't glued to their smartphones?

If you've been missing how it was to catch up on your favorite shows, then know where you should glue your eyes at. And actually, you don't have to look anywhere else, because that self-luminous, rectangular gadget we call smartphone can give you what you've been looking for. There is so much that it can do; it can in fact be a TV regardless of its screen size. Yes, regardless, so long as it has the right apps. Do you have your iPhones with you? Connect it to the cloud giving nothing away, and let's spin with the apps below that can make our day!

#1: DIRECTV App

If you've been itching to watch something, wouldn't you go directly on your TV? I would! And so, if you are digging for an ultimate video experience, then DIRECTV App for your iPhone is your way to go. With this app, you can stream live TV anywhere in your home using your trusty iPhone. Just like a TV should be, it has available channels so you get to switch and choose a show to your liking. Now, if you want to record your favorite shows, just set the DVR and you're good to go. But, what if you're not good on catching your favorite flicks? Fret no more because DIRECTV can actually let you find whatever you want to watch on your iPhone—not to mention with a voice command. Who wouldn't get this app that is absolutely free?

#2: U-Verse App

Watching the TV is like watching the universe. It may have been just a portion of it, but at least you know what has been happening on remote places. The point is that you know what's been hitting the headlines. And so, to keep you updated, why don't you load your iPhone with the U-Verse App? And again, it does what a TV does, only on a smaller screen, and you can also watch live TV and on demand shows. Moreover, this app lets you download the flick you have been streaming in order for you to resume your marathon anytime, anywhere. It's absolutely perfect for people who have on-the-go persona. This app also costs nothing, so get your iPhones all set for this app!

#3: Netflix

I don't want to watch myself being hit by tomatoes thrown by the mob, so here goes the app that most of you might have been using already: the Netflix. Same as the first two, with this app, you'll be able to stream your favorite TV episodes and movies in just a few taps. It's actually the world's leading subscription service for watching movies on your handheld devices. It’s one of the best, inarguably, but here's the catch: it only has one-month free trial for you to enjoy, and you must be a Netflix member in order to take pleasure with what this app can offer. It's not just your ordinary TV, I say. It lets you search for your preferred movie and watch it right off the bat. This app also offers unlimited TV shows, so you won't get bored on looking for an interesting show. What are you waiting for? Be a Netflix member and start downloading this app for free.

See? There's not so much need of mobile phone accessories to make the most out of your phone. Gotta love the apps, and have fun streaming!

Here is Yet Another Smartphone with a Fingerprint Sensor

The fingerprint scanning technology is slowly gaining popularity and receiving impressive commendations within the tech sphere. It has revolutionized how a user can access his handheld device without the use of passcodes or linear pattern combinations. Furthermore, this technology is deemed to have brought forth a solution to the unyielding contention of mobile consumers against hacking activities and identity thefts. And so, this is what led other smartphone manufacturers to look into this innovation and apply it on their own devices.

One of the first companies to emulate the Touch ID feature of Apple's iPhone 5s is HTC. In fact, the smartphone of this Taiwanese tech giant in the name of HTC One Max that sports the same technology was announced only a month after the launch of Apple's flagship phone. Therefore, it's so much possible that HTC has been eyeing on the said technology even before the word was out that the iPhone 5s will be integrated with the Touch ID. Be that as it may, considering the nature of technology and the dynamic smartphone market, whoever releases it first gets the credit. And in this case, Apple gets it.

Although the One Max has a fingerprint sensor on its own like the iPhone 5s, the placement of the contraption is at the dorsal part of the phone below the camera lens. Since this particular handset is classified as a phablet, with a display measuring 5.9 inches, its makers see the fingerprint sensor as more of a convenience feature than a security one. Instead of using your thumb or index finger to access the phone, you may use your other fingers to simply unlock or open apps in an instant. Each of your three registered fingerprints will be programmed for a specific purpose.

Aside from the fingerprint sensor, let's talk about the technical specs of the HTC One Max. The humungous smartphone is powered by a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor with 2GB of RAM. It runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS. Also, it is integrated with an UltraPixel rear camera and a 2.1-megapixel front camera. You will be able to choose between 16GB or 32GB internal memory, though that won't really be an issue because the One Max supports a memory card to expand its memory capacity.

The HTC One Max is not yet available in the U.S. market, unlike its siblings, the flagship HTC One and their smaller brother, the HTC One Mini. The One Max is said to be out in the U.S. in time for the holidays. And as of its price, it has never been announced yet, though it will likely be comparable to the $300 Galaxy Note 3 and the Motorola Droid Maxx. Anyway, if you aren't much of a fan of giant smartphones, you can always have the One or the One Mini. The bad thing is, they aren't equipped with the fingerprint sensor unlike their big brother. Also you might want to consider getting a cool back case protection for this giant beauty.

How Secured is Your Google Account?

If you have been using Google account as your personal email provider, then you must have enjoyed every feature it offers. And when we are talking about enjoyment, you probably have loaded it up with personal stuff like pictures, videos, messages, files and the likes—which by the way are not supposed to be disclosed to the masses. Not to mention, your Google account serves as the gatekeeper to your Google+ account, Google drive (storage), email, Youtube channel, and you name it. It caters to your needs; it caters to your life.

And so, with that being said, wouldn’t you put an extra effort just to keep every bit and piece of your Google account secured and protected from all the impending hacks? With all those information you load on the internet, you might not know what lies ahead. Someone may steal your information and your money; someone may steal even your life. So before anything else, it’s a must to add an extra layer of protection to your account rather than just keeping your Google’s credentials to yourself. More often than not, those hackers can be so eager to hack your account that they can get your account’s credentials in as easy ABC and 123.

There’s no other way to say this but to protect your account using the Two-factor authentication. Remember when I said that you should put an extra effort? That’s why it is so-named as what it is because you are adding an extra effort upon logging in to your account. Rather than just keying-in your username and password, you will then be asked to input a verification code—like I said, extra layer.

Is that it, you ask? Well for all you know, this verification is only single-use. That being said, you can only use one unique code at a time just for you to access the account. And you can get these verification codes via text messages or through an authenticator app straight to your smartphone. It’s pretty neat, I say. So, if you are interested in doubling the security of your Google account, follow this quick guide to set it up:

First off, you must log in to your respective account using your account’s credentials to setup the two-factor authentication—or the so-called two-step verification. Once you’ve accessed your account, look for your profile picture at the upper right corner, click it, and select Account to load the page or your account settings. Now, if you don’t see your picture, perhaps you haven’t uploaded any picture yet. You will see a generic silhouette rather than your picture. And just do the previous steps and continue.

From the Accounts Settings page, select the Security from the list on the left and click the Edit link corresponding to 2-step verification once the page has loaded. Google then will show you a brief overview on what to expect with the two-factor authentication. Hit the Start setup and you’re ready to keep the bad guys out of your account by using both your password and your phone—as what Google said.

So, since it said “and your phone,” you’ll probably need to associate your mobile phone number to your account. If you haven’t associated it yet, Google will prompt you to enter your phone number. Just select your country from the drop-down list, enter your number, and then choose how you want your security codes to be received—either via text messages or through the authenticator app. Once you’ve filled all what is needed, Google will send you a test code to verify that you own the number. Key them in, and verify. Good thing two-factor authentication won’t pester you every now and then just to enter your credentials and the verification codes every log in. When it’s already familiar with your browser, you can log in to your account right off the bat. This is more applicable to web browsers, though. And a friendly advice: you might need to take your portable chargers at all times with you so you could access your account anytime, anywhere.

Hello, Siri. Is That You?

 Who haven’t heard of Apple iPhone’s voice-activated invisible assistant named Siri since the release of iPhone 4S? Who is she? Well, Siri grants your commands as long as she can. She lets you basically use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and the list goes on.

Siri is the one you talk to underneath the LCD screen protector of your phone—specifically on iPhone 4S and up to the latest generation of iPhone. You just have to ask Siri to do things just by talking to her as she understands what you say, knows what you mean, and talks back even; talk about interactive assistant, eh? She talks to you as if she is a real person. As what was Apple had set for examples, if you asked Siri “Any good burger joints around here?” Siri knows that you are looking for burger restaurants. And she’ll reply, “I found a number of burger restaurants near you.” Since you and Siri are talking about restaurants, when you ask “Hmm. How about tacos?” she’ll remember and look for Mexican restaurants nearby. See how smart she is? Just press the button and you’re going to have someone to talk to over your smartphone in a jiffy!

She seems like a good companion, isn’t she? She could help you in almost anything you ask her as if she’s a genie saying “your wish is my command.” Of course, a genie in a smartphone would be far-fetched from reality, but can she be a real human? Apparently, Apple didn’t identify her, and people didn’t know who voices Siri. Well, not until she introduces herself alone. Introducing, the voice behind Siri: voice actor, Susan Bennett from Atlanta.

Though Apple still doesn’t confirm it, Bennett claims and confesses that she is Siri. CNN identified Bennett as the one who participated in the original recording sessions for the iPhone’s assistant, and audio-forensics experts say that her voice and Siri’s are “100%” alike. Back when she was still recording in the year 2005, Bennett didn’t have any idea that she’d be talking to over a hundred million people. She just snatched four hours out of her every day for a month just to record a heap of phrases. And that she didn’t know that it would be on iPhone until one of her friends asked if she is the one voicing Siri.

Clearly, Apple wasn’t the one who hired her to voice Siri. Bennett was recruited by a company called ScanSoft, and then she became a part of the voice-technology conglomerate called Nuance—the leader in the fields of voice recognition and text-to-speech. Then, Nuance was the one who provided the technology for Apple to make Siri possible—and there goes Bennett.

There was even video posted by The Verge that mislead viewers to believe that the voice behind Siri is Allison Dufty. Bennett just laughed at it and just answered: “I really had to weigh the importance of it for me personally. I wasn't sure that I wanted that notoriety, and I also wasn't sure where I stood legally. And so, consequently, I was very conservative about it for a long time," she said. "And then this Verge video came out ... And it seemed like everyone was clamoring to find out who the real voice behind Siri is, and so I thought, well, you know, what the heck? This is the time."

And so, she revealed herself after years of living with the secret. Hello, Siri. Is that you? Yes, it’s Susan Bennett.

A Smartphone Fit for a King

Ever since the smartphone market experienced a grand boom, a number of companies have tried to venture in manufacturing their own version of a smartphone. There are some companies that succeeded in making it big like Apple and Samsung, and there too are those which came to realize that this kind of industry is not their niche, but there are those that kept a steady pace, focusing more on the product itself, not on generating millions or billions in revenue.

Once example of companies that produces the top-quality mobile phones is Vertu. It is a British manufacturer and retailer of luxury mobile phones. The Vertu Constellation is the second Android device of the smartphone manufacturer, after the Ti. The Constellation is ingenuously like no other. It is crafted from the best quality materials there are. Its screen is a tough sapphire glass that is scratch-free. Plus, it is encased in genuine calf leather that fits on Grade 5 titanium body that is stronger and lighter than steel, which is used in the majority of smartphones. It comes in five different colors: black, dark brown, orange, light brown, and cherry. With an exterior like this, who needs a protective case?

Massimiliano Pogliani, Vertu’s CEO, believes that less is more. He said, “In terms of design and appearance, it is being luxury but not to bling, too wild, too pushy, so I’m very happy and very confident.” The handheld device is handmade, making sure that it passes on the scrutiny and meticulous evaluation of the people who manufacture the device.

The Vertu Constellation comes with a slightly customized Android 4.2 OS, which runs on a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 SoC. It has a 4.3-inch 720p diagonal display, which is larger than the iPhone 5s but small enough to be classified as a phablet. A 13-megapixel back camera with dual LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front camera are built in the Constellation to capture quality images. It is powered by a 1,800mAh battery, which is sad to say not enough to provide a long-lasting battery life. Good thing, the Constellation already utilizes the NFC technology, unlike the iPhone 5s. And last but not the least, the built-in storage capacity; it has a 32GB memory that is just enough for an average consumer and not for a download freak. You can get all these for ONLY €4,900 or $6630. Now, that’s a hefty price! This certainly isn’t a cheap mobile phone.

In terms of specs, it certainly can’t compete against the other flagship phones of top tech companies. Simply put, this handheld device may not capture the interest of the tech-savvy consumers out there. Rather, it caters more on the elite in order for them to showcase their extravagance through a mobile phone. This may not serve as a wise investment, but you’re sure to be a cut above the rest with this on hand.

Bendable Screen Brought to You by Samsung

Just this early September, Apple has launched its newest addition to its collection of iPhones, the 5s and the 5c. The 5c is considered—for some reasons—the replacement of its predecessor, the iPhone 5. Apparently, the cost for producing a phone covered in colorful polycarbonate plastic is cheaper than opting for a lighter, aluminum casing, which exudes elegance.

Meanwhile, the 5s has replaced the iPhone 5 as Apple’s flagship phone. The newer handset is packed with a number of innovative features, with the fingerprint sensor being the breakthrough cream of the crop feature. Bluntly, the truth of the matter is, the fingerprint scanning technology is not the “latest” technology there is. It already existed decades ago in some known and widely used biometric systems. What consumers are really waiting and yearning for is a novel technology that has the wow factor.

Last January of this year, Samsung has showed off its prototype products with a flexible screen and a display that extends from the side of a device. It’s just a matter of time till the tech giant makes the innovative technology available on the market. According to D.J. Lee, Samsung’s mobile business head of strategic marketing, “We plan to introduce a smartphone with a curved display in South Korea in October.”

However, although the new-found technology is promising, mass producing the parts cheaply will seem to take more time as the tech firms that will support the flexible display technology have yet to figure out how to lower its production cost. Furthermore, there are still a bit more developments to be done in order to produce display panels that can be as thin as a sheet and highly resistant from heat.

We may see the bendable screen as a cutting edge technology for handheld devices today, but perhaps some of us may wonder, “What is it really for?” Well, for starters, once the flexible screen is fully materialized, it will be virtually “unbreakable.” Additionally, the lighter, thinner plastic-based display is presumed to utilize less energy than the current displays. This could serve as a supplementary yet temporary solution to the complaints of mobile consumers regarding a short battery life of their handheld devices.

A more potential development of the bendable technology might just be beneficial for the next generation of gadgets—the wearable devices. Because of the display’s flexible nature, it can be wrapped around a person’s wrist. Also, the relatively thin make of the display will allow for more space to add in other components to produce a more powerful device. Anyway, October is fast approaching; let us just wait and see if the talked-about flexible display will really come into reality on commercially-available smartphones as said. With technology, the possibilities are endless.

Google’s Project Loon Aims Internet Access for Everyone

We can attest to the fact that none of these innovations that we take part of will be present without the internet. With it, access to information has been made convenient by just a click on your PC or tap on your tablet or smartphone. Let me ask you this: can you even imagine your life without access to the internet? I doubt.

Moving on, you and I are lucky enough that we have an access to the internet. However, some, as a matter of fact, take this privilege for granted. In reality, only a few people across the globe have an internet access. According to Google, “Two out of three people on earth don’t have access to the web.” It’s such an irony, considering the vast scope of the internet, yet access to it isn’t that widespread to this very day. There are quite a number of issues on why people on some parts of the world can’t be provided with internet access, and the biggest roadblock is due to geographical transmission issues. It’s either providers find it too impractical to establish a fiber-optic based internet to sparse population or land forms block wireless signals.

Good news because Google has a plan, and the solution lies on its “Project Loon.” The concept is actually simple yet clever; Google will be providing internet access by means of balloons. The project is made possible by sending out helium-filled balloons into the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere about 10 km above the earth’s surface. The altitude on where the balloons will stay is twice as high where airplanes fly; hence, cases of collision won’t be a problem. The winds are constant in the stratosphere ensuring that the balloons don’t roam about aimlessly to other areas or in space.

An array of solar panels will be attached below the balloon to power and charge the equipment. A wireless network will be established by the other balloons floating nearby in the stratosphere that will be connected to a base station on the ground, which is connected to the internet. People who want to connect to the balloon internet will just need to install a specialized Loon receiving antenna, and that’s about it. It can offer an internet connection of speeds up to the normal 3G internet or faster. Every balloon contains a parachute on top, which can be deployed for maintenance or if ever a repair is warranted.

And this we ask, “What does Google get in return for this extensive project?” Well, with more and more people being able to get connected, sooner or later, they will be clicking on the Google ads.

As of now, tests have already been conducted. Balloons have been deployed in certain areas in New Zealand, Africa, and California, USA. The first person in New Zealand to get access to the internet via Project Loon is a farmer. He is just one of the 50 locals in that area who signed up for the project they know so little of.

In this time when a lot of people are looking forward for the iPhone 5S to be available on the shelves of tech stores or listed on online mobile stores, a lot of people still don’t have an idea of what the internet is. This is just one of the evidences of the discrepancy of technology’s influence. And so, once this project realizes its full potential and operates in a full scale, more and more people will be joining us, having access to the internet and one another.