The ICT R&D Fund Co Board has agreed in principal that the first Tech-City project will be established in Islamabad and will be extended further to all provinces and metropolitans subsequently in due course of time, said spokesman Ministry of IT.
The decision was made in the 35th Board of Directors meeting of National ICT R&D Fund Company, held at ministry of IT on Tuesday, said a press release.
Minister Information Technology Anusha Rahman headed the meeting while CEO National ICT R&D Fund Company Asif Roomi, Member (Telecom) Mudassar Hussain, Member HRD Tahir Mushtaq, MD, PSEB Asim Shehryar and other members of the Board attended the conference.
ICT R&D Fund Co will fund and monitor the project under the patronage of Ministry of Information Technology
Dr Shahid Qureshi apprised the board regarding different avenues of Tech-City model during a detailed presentation. The board was told that ICT R&D Fund Co will be responsible for the funding and monitoring of this project under the patronage of Ministry of Information Technology (the Government of Pakistan).
The Minister directed CEO ICT R&D Fund Co to prepare “RFP” along with KPIs for this purpose and that project will be replicated and extended to all provinces and metropolitans subsequently by keeping in view the volume of its success and achievements.
The Minister of State for IT stated that through tech-city model, Ministry wants to develop an eco-system to promote entrepreneurship in Pakistan. The purpose of this tech-city project is to provide an equal opportunity to youngsters with IT qualifications from even remote areas of Pakistan so that they would get the chance to show their creativity to launch new IT businesses successfully.
Lenovo has announced the K3 Note, an upper mid-range phablet. The device will directly take on Xiaomi Redmi Note and Meizu M1 Note. It is a larger and better equipped version of the existingLenovo K3.
The K3 Note is equipped with a 5.5-inch FullHD display surrounded by a body in yellow. The phone has a unique design with a distinctive circular bump at the back which is purely for aesthetic purposes.
The K3 Note comes with a 64-bit MediaTek MT 6752 chipset which has an octa-core processor which clocks at 1.7 GHz. The smartphone is also has 2GB of RAM and 16GB on on-board storage which is expandable by up to 32 GB via microSD card. The camera department harbors a 13MP sensor at the back with a dual tone LED flash and a 5MP front camera.
The connectivity is covered by a dual-sim capability with one sim supporting 3G and 4G LTE while the second sim slot is GSM only. Lenovo have fit a big 3000mAh battery inside the battery which 7.6mm thick. The phone weighs around 150g.
Lenovo K3 Note Specifications:
CPU: Octa-core 1.7 Ghz Cortex-A53
GPU: Mali T760MP2
Chipset: 64-bit MediaTek MT 6752
OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Supported Networks: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE
Design: Phablet
Display: 5.5” with 1920×1080 (401ppi) resolution
Scratch-resistant glass
ceramic piece vibration speaker
Memory:
RAM: 2 GB RAM
Internal: 16 GB
Card slot: expandable by 32 GB via microSD
Camera:
Primary: 13 mp with 1080p video with dual tone LED flash and HDR
Secondary: 5 mp
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, LTE
Battery: 3,000 mAh
Price: 145/160 US Dollars
The phone comes with the latest Android build Lollipop 5.0. The smartphone provides good hardware at a very low price tag of $145 and it makes it probably one of the best bang-for-buck devices we’ve ever seen. Another version of the K3 Note, called the Teana, costs $160 adds the ability to use “ceramic piece vibration speaker”, which supposedly pumps out more sound.
Zong has announced Mega Recharge offer recently which requires customers to recharge their Zong number and win iPhone 6 daily, 2 Corolla XLI and one BMW as a bumper prize.
Offer details:
Zong Mega Recharge offer gives two choices to the customers:
1. On recharge greater than Rs.200, the customers will be eligible for a random extracted list of winners for iPhone 6 and Toyota Corolla.
2. On recharge greater than Rs.300, the customers will be eligible for a random extracted list of winners for iPhone 6, Toyota Corolla as well as the bumper prize of BMW 3 series.
Prizes details:
A total of 45 iPhone 6 will be awarded to the lucky customers daily, Toyota Corolla Xli every fortnight (7th May 2015 and 20th May 2015) while the grand prize of BMW 3 Series will be given to one lucky customer and will be announced on 4th June, 2015.
Additionally, anyone who will recharge Rs.200 or more will get 50 free SMS by Zong for one day.
Validity:
The customer can recharge their Zong number anytime by means of top-up, load a card or get an online recharge till 31st May to be eligible for the above-mentioned prizes.
To read detailed terms and conditions of Zong Mega Recharge offer, click here.
Are you one of those who have been waiting for the new Windows OS? Few hours ago one PC manufacturer made headlines by revealing Windows 10 release date and new Windows will be out in the late July this year.
Microsoft has also announced a free download for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users for 12 months.
AMD, which is also Microsoft software partner revealed to analysts and investors on a conference call that this new OS for which Microsoft and PC manufacturers are waiting will arrive at the end of July. We might see a bit of a delay for the launch of Windows 10, said Lisa Su the CEO of AMD.
The users are surprised at this delay as Microsoft already gave a summer release date for the OS and Lisa Su didn’t make it clear whether the date was for PC manufacturers or the general public. So, now Windows 10 release date has confirmed and Microsoft has also announced free download for users who have purchased Windows 8 and 7, this free download will be only for one year.
Microsoft has been releasing and launching Windows 10 based app and gadgets ever since it has announced Windows 10, like few days ago Surface 3 was launched and a preview of map apps for smartphones was also revealed by Microsoft.
Few other changes have been made in Windows 10 such as Spartan browser has replaced internet explorer and Cortana voice assistant has announced for Windows 10 based smartphones.
Telenor’s Internet of Things Expo was amazingly positive with a lot of happenings, innovations and solutions, except that they invited Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister of Science and Technology for a talk on Internet of Things.
Ministry of Science and Technology, as per the official website, is responsible for:
Coordination and implementation of national science and technology policy;
Promotion and coordination of research and utilization of the results of research;
Development, production and utilization of nuclear energy;
and Coordination of utilization of scientific and technological manpower.
However, the federal minister who is in fact in-charge of above-mentioned functions doesn’t know a thing about technology. Mr. Tanveer said this during his keynotes at IOT expo himself.
He is so unfamiliar with the subject that he can’t even send an SMS and those are his own words from the keynote address.
He can only make or receive a call and that’s all what he does with a mobile phone.
Apparently, the gentleman is happy about his inability as he says that his ignorance helps him with his health.
I am still not sure why Telenor invited such a person, and exactly how they feel about the decision after listening to his notes.
While it was hard to transcribe Mr. Tanveer’s speech, we tried our best to get following for you. Read the wonders yourself:
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
Organizers and Mr. Michael, Mr. Irfan Wahab, in-charge of marketing and distinguished guests, participants; I congratulate all the organizers to hold this exhibition.
Frankly I am minister for federal minister for defence production and also minister for science and technology. But the two portfolios, two ministries are related to technology, research, development. But I myself don’t know much about technology, science and other information about research related technology.
But I am trying my best to promote such activities, those needs Pakistan to a new modern and advance country. Because Pakistan has already much advance technology in this area, IT area, Information and Technology Area, because we have this facility 4G facility which I understand I think is advance stage of information and technology.
And these all companies working in Pakistan are trying to give the awareness to society, modernize the society, to bring the nation, society to modern world.
Having the science and technology, Pakistan has become a part of a global village because of this information technology.
I heard, Mr. Irfan Wahab who explained new products of Telenor. I think very useful products are all 1,2,3,4,5 they are all benefits which we can get through these products. Still these 3 products here but I think, interestingly, unfortunately I can only. I am not beneficial, great beneficial of this technology because I can only make call through telephone and I can only receive call. That’s only … I am getting benefit from this mobile telephone. I cannot even send a message… So I cannot have information, up to date information. But I think its also blessing in disguise. If I don’t know much information and this is good for my health also.
There are many plus points and benefits of this technology. There are so many minus, negative points of technology. But all the, all this is possibility and I think is of the companies to give awareness to society, to tell all the use of this technology and what purpose because Mr. Irfan Wahab…..I think, …..
I don’t know about madam name, but she was discussing about the cyber crime. But we already legislate the act which has …..
(I gave up here!)
Just in case if you are wondering, below is the audio recording of Mr. Tanveer’s talk at Telenor’s IOT Expo.
Since the news regarding the arrival of China’s President to Pakistan has been widespread, there are also some reports that some agreements valuing trillions of rupees will be signed between both of the countries, and among them, one of the agreement is Lahore Orange Metro Train Project.
Reportedly, the project will cost $1.6 billion and will be signed between the Government of Punjab and China in Murree today.
The Orange Line Metro Train will cover a 27.1 kilometer long track, having 26 stations throughout the route while the project will be completed by means of 7 phases which are listed below:
Raiwind to Thokar Niazbeg
Thokar Niazbeg to G.P.O chowk
G.P.O chowk to Chuburgi while extending to Lake road, Edward Road, Ustand Allah Baksh Road
G.P.O chowk to Qila Gujjar Singh,
Qila Gujjar Singh to Bohar Wala Chowk and Nicholson Road
Sultan Pora
Dera Gojran G.T. Road
It seems like Government of Punjab is concentrating on the provision of public transportation facilities and Orange Metro train will be an additional way to ensure this.
Facebook is experimenting with a new feature that lets you tell the world how to pronounce your name.
(Image: Yahoo Tech)
In a small number of profiles so far, Facebook is showing how the user’s name is pronounced. It will also play an audio clip of the name. We’ve only seen one profile so far with this feature: MIT Technology Review publisher and editor in chief Jason Pontin’s.
When asked, Facebook had this to say about the profile addition: “We’ve begun a small test of a feature that lets you indicate how your name is pronounced. The pronunciation will be displayed on your Profile along with an option for people to click to hear an audio playback. For now, we’re focusing this test on English speakers in the U.S.”
If you want to check whether you’ve got the new feature, Facebook says to go to Facebook on your computer’s Web browser, visit your Profile, and select the About tab. From there, you can click “Details About You” and then “How do you say your name?” Here, you can preview and select from Facebook’s guesses about the pronunciation, or write your own.
Pontin says that while editing his profile, he saw “three options, all wrong.” Then, he said, “They offered the opportunity to suggest something better. Then, ignored it.” (Since this story originally ran, Facebook has reached out to me to say they have improved the suggestion process.)
And that’s why features like this are tested in small batches before they are rolled out to the world.
Facebook provided these images of the feature for a name that — at least for me — might need more pronunciation guidance than Mr. Pontin’s:
By what criteria do you judge a smartphone? Camera specs? Processing power? Water resistance, perhaps? For many people, the battery life is the single most important consideration. Even in 2015, if a device lasts more than a day before running out of juice, it is doing well. All the devices in this list pass that test with flying colors, so scroll on down to see our picks for the Android smartphones with the best battery life.
At 2840mAh, the HTC One M9 battery is only marginally bigger than that in the HTC One M8. You'd think this would be a problem considering the One M9 is running a powerful Snapdragon 810 octa-core chipset. However, the big.LITTLE technology in the processor has paid off, as the One M9 battery manages to just outperform that of its predecessor.
Under extreme duress, like constant video-watching, the One M9 battery lasts around 13 hours, which is a decent run. However, no one in their right mind would watch a video for 13 hours straight (if you do, remember to take regular breaks), and ordinary users can expect well over a day's use out of it before needing to recharge. Another big plus with the One M9 battery is the quick-charging feature, which charges your battery around 40 percent in just half an hour (annoyingly, the fast-charging cable is not included in the box).
There are plenty of things to like about the OnePlus One - its rebellious Cyanogen OS (and now also OxygenOS), its big screen, low asking price, and of course its powerful 3100mAh battery. With its Snapdragon 801 quad-core chipset, big display and 3GB RAM, there's a fair old bit to keep powered in the OnePlus One too.
The OnePlus One battery handles over 13 hours of heavy usage, including constantly-on internet, regular phone calls and some video-viewing. For a moderate user, this converts to about one and a half day's use.
The Galaxy Note 4 remains one of the best phones money can buy, largely thanks to its fantastic camera, big and bright 5.7-inch QHD screen, and S-Pen stylus features that make it truly unique among phones and phablets.
All these impressive features run smoothly thanks to the Note 4's Exynos 5433octa-core chipset, which is in turn kept alive by a 3220mAh battery. If you're a moderate to heavy smartphone user, then you should have around 30 percent battery remaining by the end of the day, and it should see you several hours into the next day as well. The Note 4 also comes with a fast-charging feature, which can charge up to half your battery within about 30 minutes.
We're just disappointed that Samsung failed to follow the Note 4's great battery performance through to the otherwise brilliant Galaxy S6.
The LG G3 is one of the best smartphones for battery performance when considering specs. The battery has a 3,000 mAh capacity, powering a 5.5-inch QHD LCD screen, a Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB of RAM. With these innards, the LG G3 is considered a high performing device, but thankfully LG has done a great job optimizing its hardware to ensure the battery lasts.
The device is able to last around 2 working days if you aren't running any particularly demanding apps, or playing games, a figure which is difficult to reach on devices with even lower specs. Of course, given the large display, it’s likely you will want to watch movies and play games in HD, and this will reduce the battery life to less than a day. Compared to the competition, however, the LG G3 is fantastic.
There are a number of supporters in the Android universe of the HTC One M8, and for many this is due to its laudable battery life. While it doesn't reach the level of the LG G3, and has lower specs, overall the HTC One (M8) is still one of the better devices on Android for battery performance.
The 2,600 mAh battery powers a 5-inch Full-HD display and Snapdragon 801 processor. This Snapdragon processor has received a small, but significant, improvement over the previous version in terms of power consumption, and this is one of the keys to improving battery life. During normal use, you will easily find the HTC One (M8) lasting more than a day.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 is strong performer in a number of areas, not least in the battery department. For a start, the Galaxy S5 battery is removable, unlike some of the others on our list, meaning you can carry around a spare and swap them if necessary.
Another interesting aspect of the Galaxy S5's 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, which has the advantage of consuming less battery than competing displays. Finally, the Galaxy S5 comes with a number of unique to Samsung power saving modes like Ultra Power Saving which can help add precious hours, or even days, to the Galaxy S5 battery. Samsung even pulled a publicity stunt with a week-long, cross country road trip on a single charge.
The Sony Xperia Z3 has a battery capacity of 3,000 mAh, curiously lower than that of the olderXperia Z2. The key, however, is in how Sony has optimized the Xperia Z3's hardware. The Xperia Z3 is another smartphone in the 2-day battery life camp, often capable of hitting this benchmark with juice left in the tank. Unfortunately, Sony's omnibalance design means that, although the Xperia Z3 is water resistant, its battery is not removable. We also can't comment on how the Xperia Z3 battery will perform with the PS4 Remote Play feature. Nonetheless, it's still one of the best performing batteries for specs it houses, with 3 GB of RAM, Snapdragon 801 processor, and 5.2-inch full-HD screen.
The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 has one of the largest batteries on the market at a huge 4,100 mAh! The giant battery is necessary, though, to power this Chinese phablet's mammoth 6-inch Full-HD screen and octa-core Hisilicon Kirin 925 processor. Despite the big specs, the device will last for about two days with normal use if it is helped along by its power-saving modes (Smart or Ultra). Of course, we have yet to test the 6-inch Nexus 6 to see how that compares yet, but as it stands the Ascend Mate 7 is one of best devices for battery efficiency on Android.
