Technology
Lightning Connection – Is it all it’s cracked up to be?
The European Parliament had a hearing which discussed a measure that would ensure smartphone manufacturers produced a common and standardized charger for all mobile devices that were sold in the European Union. This includes: Smartphones, tablets, eBooks and digital cameras.
Three connectors are currently in common use: USB 2.0 Micro B (otherwise known as the microUSB), USB-C and Apple’s Lightning cable. Of course, certain cameras come with their own connectors and there are also unique connections on fitness trackers or the Apple Watch.
The USB 2.0 Micro B can be located on a variety of older Android phones and tablets and occasionally some of the more recent models. More often than not, these tend to be on the more affordably-priced gadgets.
The USB-C is on the majority of the most recent flagship Android phones from every brand. It has become the upscale de facto connector. The Lightning connector can only found on Apple products.
If you are an avid Apple user like me, you have surely asked yourself the question, why doesn’t Apple use the same charger as everyone else? This probably happened when, you were the only person in a room full of android users… and not an Apple charger in sight!
Well, in theory, it sounds amazing, but there are concerns and issues, that Apple is now addressing.
What are these problems?
If you have been using iPhone and Apple for a while, you will more than likely remember the moment when you opened the box of your shiny iPhone 5 in 2012, to discover that the Apple had replaced the bulky 30-pin connectors on previous models, with a slimmer more streamline connector. This was the birth of the Lightning connector.
This caused mayhem in our homes. Suddenly we all had a surplus of spare (and newly void of use) cables, not to mention unusable iPod docking stations. There was an accompanying adaptor, but of course, had to be purchased and came as an inconvenience to consumers.
However, as the years went on, the Lightning connector has nestled its way in to our daily lives and become a prominent and accepted feature of every iPhone. In confession, most of us would admit that it is actually better.
Prior to this, with most connectors, you have a 50% chance of putting the cable in the device the wrong way around. It’s like the dreaded USB, where I know I need to insert it at least 3 times to get it right. First, because it didn’t fit, second because it really didn’t fit and third because I was right first time around.
The Lightning connection ensured this was a thing of the past and that you couldn’t get it wrong.
Has the EU done this before?
They have indeed and actually with great success. An agreement back in 2009, resulted in the number of connectors in common use, declining from around 30 to three. Furthermore, it would seem that the USB 2.0 Micro B, is almost a charger of the past.
Apples argument is that with the normal standard connectors being that of two, reducing to one would offer little benefit.
Shouldn’t Apple just switch to USB-C?
In certain products, Apple has alreadyswitched. The latest versions of Mac laptops use USB-C, and the iPad Pro. Apple has made this switch because of the capabilities USB-C offers, for example the compatibility with attaching external displays.
Furthermore, the charging plug that accompanies the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max has a USB-C socket on it, because they support fast charging.
If one were to compare the Lightning and USB-C connectors, you would see that the Lightning connector is thinner and the USB-C is thicker and wider. This thinness and more streamlined appearance is crucial when trying to create a super-slim device like the iPhone. The reason Apple disregarded the original headphone jack was to allow them to make the iPhone thinner.
The world of the smartphone is becoming increasingly complex and changing one feature on a device can have multiple implications further down the line. As an example, if you want to build in a three-camera unit such as on the iPhone 11 Pro models, you have to move stuff around to accommodate this.
So, the thinner and smaller the connector, the less space it takes away from the battery or other items. A smaller socket can result in increased space for headphone jacks and stereo speakers. To make one iPhone for the U.S. market and another for the huge market that is Europe, would require substantial extra research and obviously, significantly higher costs.
It is unlikely that Apple will make the switch to USB-C anytime soon. In fact, all the evidence for 2020’s iPhones, indicates that they will be thinner than current models. Apple is also eager to resist this mandatory change and consequently this likely means that the USB-C will not be coming out to all the iPhones released in 2020. Also, by the time the ban was agreed on, the new iPhone would also be out.
One potential game change that Apple could use in their favor, is that of environmental impact. Back in 2012, there were millions of Apple devices with the 3-pin connector. Today, there are even more that come with the Lightning connector, ensuring that if this change does come, it would cause an even bigger disruption to the ecosystem.
It is possible that Apple could slowly switch other devices before the iPhone, like the other iPad models, wireless iMac mouse etc.? That way, before you know it, you will have a collection of USB-C cables.
Apple does not seem to be against USB-C. It is actually beginning the transition to install more in its devices.
It seems that what Apple does want is the freedom to keep the Lightning connector for as long as it deems appropriate, which is more than likely to differ for each specific device. Perhaps, the door could be left open for them to develop an alternative connect of their own, that could enable functions that the USB-C could not.
Apple’s statement
Apple stands for innovation and deeply cares about the customer experience. We believe regulation that forces conformity across the type of connector built into all smartphones stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, and would harm consumers in Europe and the economy as a whole.
More than 1 billion Apple devices have shipped using a Lightning connector in addition to an entire ecosystem of accessory and device manufacturers who use Lightning to serve our collective customers. Legislation would have a direct negative impact by disrupting the hundreds of millions of active devices and accessories used by our European customers and even more Apple customers worldwide, creating an unprecedented volume of electronic waste and greatly inconveniencing users.
We do not believe there is a case for regulation given the industry is already moving to the use of USB Type-C through a connector or cable assembly. This includes Apple’s USB-C power adapter which is compatible with all iPhone and iPad devices. This approach is more affordable and convenient for consumers, enables charging for a wide range of portable electronic products, encourages people to re-use their charger and allows for innovation.
Prior to 2009, the Commission considered mandating that all smartphones use only USB Micro-B connectors which would have restricted the advancement to Lightning and USB Type-C. Instead, the Commission established a voluntary, industry standards-based approach that saw the market shift from 30 chargers down to 3, soon to be two — Lightning and USB-C, showing this approach does work.
We hope the Commission will continue to seek a solution that does not restrict the industry’s ability to innovate and bring exciting new technology to customers.
What is biometric identification? It is the process through which unique biological characteristics are used in biometric identification to recognize and validate a person. These characteristics can be found in facial traits, eye structures, DNA, fingerprint patterns, and even handwriting. All this data that can be gathered on an individual inevitably brings up the ethical issues in biometrics that need to be addressed.
Facial recognition and fingerprint scans were previously the domain of security, and they were utilized for identification and law enforcement. However, increasingly more business and civil applications are using biometrics authentication. Due to this increased use, it is crucial to address the moral and ethical issues in biometrics when used in the creation of new application and technology.
Applied biometrics and corporate ethics have received little empirical study despite the widespread use of biometric technologies. As a result, there is plenty of room for future study to help us better comprehend the moral consequences of adopting this technology.
This article examines the ethical concerns associated with the use of biometric technology on the use of biometrics for non-security applications as well as the moral ramifications for business.
Ethical Issues in Biometrics and Privacy
Biometric data takes privacy concerns to a whole new level that typical data gathering only touches on. Digital identities can be forged, and anonymity on the web can be maintained to a degree if you know how. Also, digital data can be deleted – if we forget that Meta (Facebook) has been revealed to store deleted data, which is an ethical concern in itself.
The problem with biometric data is that it is unforgeable, unconcealable, and permanent, You can’t change your eye structure, your fingerprint, or your facial features. Big tech companies already have your face, fingerprints, and your voice recorded and stored via current biometric authentication systems – mainly used for unlocking your phone. That data will be there forever, and there is little that people can do about it besides avoid it In the first place.
While many companies still give users the option of using a good old fashion passcode to unlock their phones, as technology as a whole tends to do, the biometric alternative is slowly gaining more traction, and will one day become the norm, as it is hard to argue its convenience and security. You can’t accidentally leave your eyeball at home or forget your fingerprint. But in the same sense, you can’t change it. If your childish curiosity while browsing the web put a black spot on your record, there’s no changing that.
Therein lies the question of who if anyone should have access to such data. Today’s tech giants have all our data in their hands, that won’t change with the spread of biometric verification methods. Indeed, it will only increase targeting capabilities.
While the collection of biometric data on its own does not necessarily mean it will be shared, monetized, or abused in any way, it never the less requires clear and strict guidelines and regulations to be implemented around it. There are too many things that can be abused by the wrong party when the ethical issues in biometrics are not taken seriously, and if such limitations are not applied stringently.
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The Reno line of smartphones has always had a fantastic camera and an attractive design. The Reno 8 and 8 Pro include a 120Hz AMOLED display, the newest Dimensity chipsets, 80W fast charging, a 32-megapixel front camera, and triple 50-megapixel back cameras, among other notable features that make the Oppo Reno 8 and Reno 8 Pro high-quality yet affordable option for anyone.
Here we compare the two latest Oppo phone series iterations and see what to expect from the flagship Oppo smartphone, and how the Oppo Reno 8 and the Oppo Reno Pro stack up against each other.
Oppo Reno 8 Specifications
The Oppo Reno 8 has a smaller 6.43-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 by 2,400 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It also runs Android 12 with ColorOS 12.1 on top. Additionally, the display has an 800 nits maximum brightness and a 20:09 aspect ratio. An octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1300 SoC, up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage are all found within the Oppo smartphone.
The Reno 8 has a triple back camera configuration for pictures and movies, with a 50-megapixel main sensor and an f/1.8 lens as its focal point. Additionally, there is a 2-megapixel macro camera with a 112-degree field of view and an 8-megapixel sensor coupled with an f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens.
The Reno 8 offers 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, GPS/A-GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C connector as connection options. An accelerometer, light, gyroscope, magnetometer, and a proximity sensor are among the sensors on board. For biometric verification, the phone also has a fingerprint sensor hidden behind the display. A 4,500mAh battery inside the Oppo Reno 8 supports 80W Super Flash Charge quick charging. The phone weighs 179 grams and has dimensions of 160 x 73.4 x 7.67mm.
Oppo Reno 8 Pro Specifications
A 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,412) AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection is included with the Oppo Reno 8 Pro. Running on top of Android 12 is ColorOS 12.1. Additionally, the display supports HDR10+ and is certified by Netflix HD, Amazon HDR, SGS Low Motion Blur, and SGS Low Blue Light. The MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Max SoC, which has eight cores, and up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM power the smartphone. Storage on the Oppo Reno 8 Pro is UFS 3.1 capable of up to 256GB.
The Oppo Reno 8 Pro boasts a triple rear camera arrangement with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main sensor and an f/1.8 lens, an 8-megapixel sensor and an ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a 112-degree field of view, and a 2-megapixel macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Along with the MariSilicon X NPU, the phone’s camera will offer generally better performance in both bright and dim light. It has a 32-megapixel front-facing camera sensor with an f/2.4 lens for taking selfies and making video calls.
The phone has 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, GPS/A-GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C connector as connectivity options. An accelerometer, a light meter, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and a proximity sensor are among the sensors built into the phone. For biometric authentication, the phone also contains a fingerprint sensor underneath the touchscreen. The smartphone has a 4,500mAh battery that supports rapid charging at 80W Super Flash Charge. The phone weighs 183 grams and has dimensions of 161 x 74.2 x 7.34mm.
Both the Oppo Reno 8 and Reno 8 Pro are prime smartphones that can fit any user’s preferences and can be considered premium smartphones on the cheaper side. If you like photography, you will be satisfied with the level of quality overall, but keep in mind that neither phone is particularly water resistant, so be careful where you take it.
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Many prefer the rumbling ‘vroom’ of a gasoline car to the soft hum of an electric vehicle, while others would rather just be satisfied in the knowledge that they are lessening their carbon footprint. Let’s look at the cold hard facts however, and compare electric cars vs gas cars
Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Components
The amount of moving components is an important distinction between electric and gasoline-powered automobiles. While a gasoline-powered car contains hundreds of moving components, an electric vehicle just has one, the motor. Another significant distinction is that the electric car has fewer moving components. The electric car is more dependable and needs less routine maintenance. The maintenance needed for a gasoline-powered car ranges from routine oil changes, filter replacements, tune-ups, and exhaust system repairs to less frequent component replacements including water and fuel pumps, alternators, and so on.
Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Maintenance
The expenses associated with maintaining an electric car are reduced since there are less maintenance requirements. The shaft, the only moving component of the electric motor, is extremely dependable and needs little to no maintenance. The controller and charger are electrical devices that require minimal to no maintenance because they have no moving components. Modern sealed lead acid batteries are maintenance free and utilized in electric cars nowadays. However, these batteries have a finite lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced. New batteries are being developed to increase the range of electric cars as well as the battery pack’s lifespan, perhaps eliminating the need to replace the battery pack throughout the course of the vehicle’s lifespan.
Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Efficiency
In addition to being simpler and less expensive to repair than gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vehicles are also more cost-effective to run. The electric car will drive roughly 43 miles for $1 based on the efficiency of 3 miles/kwhr and the cost of power at 7 cents per kwhr. The gasoline-powered car will go roughly 18 miles based on the average gas mileage of 22 miles per gallon and the price of gasoline at $1.25 per gallon. As a result, an electric car may drive more than twice as far on a dollar’s worth of petrol.
Where Electric Falls Behind
There are still a number of difficulties for the owner of an electric car despite the fact that it will be less expensive to operate and maintain.
The primary issue is the restricted range offered by existing battery technology. The amount of driving distance possible utilizing the current batteries is between 50 and 150 miles. These ranges are being extended by new battery technologies, and prototypes of these batteries have shown ranges of up to 200 miles between recharging. Solar powered charging stations are being implemented in numerous places to decrease range anxiety towards electric vehicles
The lack of qualified service professionals to repair and maintain electric cars is another issue that faces their owners. A two-year associate degree program has been developed to train high school graduates to become proficient electric vehicle technicians, and training programs are being developed and made available to upgrade the conventional automotive technician with the skills needed to maintain an electric vehicle.
Infrastructure to recharge the batteries is also required. The most important component of the infrastructure for recharging already exists: electric power is accessible practically everywhere. To support the electric car, it is still necessary to guarantee that charging stations with the right sorts of service (i.e., maximum voltage and current) are placed in important areas. Plans must also be made.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Technology sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.
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Ian Terblanche, Global Strategic Sales & Channel Director at Sigfox
