Tech Tuesday Start Up of the Week: Maqsad
Because of the upheaval in 2020, educators were compelled to immediately embrace video conferencing. Platforms like Zoom and Google Meet are used to educate their students remotely. However, most of these products were not designed for education. A new generation of edtech providers, on the other hand, hasn’t taken long to emerge. Many of the new platforms are well-funded and fast-growing. The real struggle starts when virtual presentations or lectures with limited space for class involvement or group work. A style that can be monotonous and one-dimensional for students sitting from home.
Instructors who are attempting to engage with students using technology that isn’t designed for teaching and learning are feeling overwhelmed. Among these, an edtech startup Maqsad is spreading the right awareness with the right mission to make high-quality education accessible to students.
Maqsad
Taha Ahmed and Rooshan Aziz quit their careers in strategy consulting and investment banking in London to launch Maqsad. A mobile-only education platform with the objective of “making education more accessible to 100 million Pakistani students.”
The childhood friends, who grew up in Karachi, are well aware of the problems facing Pakistan’s education system, which is particularly difficult for people who do not live in big cities.
The educational problems in Pakistan
According to Maqsad co-founder Aziz, Pakistani children are four times less likely to attend school for every kilometer between home and school. The major goal of this company is to provide every child with mobile-friendly access to education.
Also Read: Tech Tuesday Startup of the week: Edkasa
What Maqsad startup offers?
Maqsad’s platform aims to offer a one-stop-shop for after-school academic content in a mix of English and Urdu. It is complemented by quizzes and other gamified elements. All of which will work together to give individuals a tailored education. Adaptive testing, which changes the complexity of a question based on user replies, is one of the platform’s capabilities.
The goal of Maqsad
Maqsad’s goal is to level the playing field for Pakistani students. By providing them with the resources they need to excel in their examinations and beyond. More than just getting kids to pass their examinations is at stake. Furthermore, to initiate a change in the way Pakistani students learn, moving away from rote memorization and toward true comprehension.
Maqsad raises $2.1 million pre-seed
Maqsad has also secured $2.1 million in a pre-seed investment round headed by Indus Valley Capital. With Alter Global, Fatima Gobi Ventures, and other individual Pakistani and Middle Eastern innovators also participating.
In addition to this, the amount is the country’s largest pre-seed funding after TAG ($5.5 million), an Islamabad-based fintech, Truck It In, a Karachi-based marketplace ($4.5 million), and equals the one raised by SadaPay.
Maqsad says it will launch its mobile app later this year.
Last but not the least, if you like this article, find out more startups in our segment Tech Tuesday. If you want your startup to get featured, contact us.
Everything you need to know about the iPhone of the year iPhone 13 Pro!
Apple launches its newest products in Apple Event 2021
It’s that time of year again when Apple unveils its new iPhone models, and this year there are four of them: the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The Apple Watch 7 is also available with the iPhone 13 series. The iPhone 13 series, as we’ve come to expect from Apple over the years, provides some small upgrades over the iPhone 12 series. A narrower notch, larger camera sensors, a clearer display, and some under-the-hood tweaks are among the changes. The Pro models have seen significant improvements, so let’s take a look at the iPhone 13 Pro and see what’s new.
New specs of iPhone 13
The Super Retina XDR screens’ diagonals remain the same – 5.4 inches for the iPhone 13 mini and 6.1 inches for the iPhone 13. The panels themselves are 28 percent brighter, with maximum outdoor brightness of 800 nits and peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. The new panels support Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG standards when it comes to HDR.
The 120Hz display refresh rate is something you won’t get with the vanilla iPhone 13 and small, since they’re locked at 60Hz like every other iPhone so far.
iPhone 13 Pro camera: What’s new?
The iPhone camera features multiple new options which include,
- Setup with triple cameras
- A 3x optical zoom telephoto lens with a focal length of 77mm.
- A macro-capable ultra-wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture.
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording using an f/1.5 wide-angle lens and the biggest sensor ever
- Slow-motion video mode for macros
- Cinematic Mode
- In ProRes mode, 4K video is recorded at 30 frames per second.
- The iPhone 13 pro mini gets a 12MP ultrawide f/2.4 camera with a new sensor as well, but it doesn’t get autofocus like on the iPhone 13 Pro models.
iPhone 13 processor
The new iPhone 13 and 13 mini are powered by an all-new Apple A15 bionic processor. The A15 is the quickest processor in any contemporary smartphone, according to Apple. Given Apple’s past record, this is a big claim, but one that is likely to be accurate.
Batteries
Finally, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini also have larger batteries than their predecessors. Apple didn’t provide specific statistics, but the two models are expected to last up to 2.5 hours and 1.5 hours longer on a charge, respectively, than the iPhone 12 generation.
However, this has resulted in a rise in weight, with the iPhone 13 weighing 174 grams and the mini weighing 141 grams. The new versions are also 0.25mm thicker than the previous ones, but all other measurements remain the same.
The Apple Event 2021
Apple returned to its normal September date this year, but the event was once again virtual. The event hosted by the tech giant was only available online. Because of the IT giant’s decision to delay its return to in-person labor owing to mounting COVID-19 instances, it was anticipated that the event would be entirely virtual.
Here are the new products Apple announced on the 15th September 2021, plus their prices and launch dates:
- iPad – Starts at $329. Available next week.
- iPad mini – Starts at $499. Available next week.
- iPhone 13 Mini – Starts at $699.
- Apple Watch Series 7 – $399. Available later this fall.
- iPhone model 13 – Starts at $799.
- iPhone 13 Pro – Starts at $999.
- The smartphones come in five new colors: pink, blue, black, white and red
iPhone 13 Pro Max – $1,099. All new iPhones will be available on September 24.
Have something to add to the story? Comment down below!
Tech Tuesday Start Up of the Week: BridgeLinx
What is a digital freight marketplace?
A digital freight network is an open, fully linked freight marketplace that connects shippers and carriers effectively using machine learning, automation, and other software services. Solving decades-old problems of freight inefficiencies necessitates a fresh strategy, one that begins with technology.
Similarly, BridgeLinx is a digital freight network start-up from Lahore which is solving problems of freight inefficiencies and bringing innovation to it.
BridgeLinx
BridgeLinx is an online marketplace that connects companies with carriers (truckers, owner-operators, transporters, and private fleets) to assist them to transfer freight. It is Pakistan’s cheapest, safest, and most reliable freight solution. It is founded in late 2020 by Muhammad Saad, Ahsan Tanveer, Abbas Hassan, and Salman Gul.
Also Read: Tech Tuesday Start up of the Week: Trukkr
Along with that, the business, which launched nine months ago, claims to have onboarded thousands of carriers who are carrying thousands of cargo every week for some of Pakistan’s major shippers.
BridgeLinx end-to-end solution for load execution
Starting with matching and ending with payments, the platform provides an end-to-end solution for load execution. Businesses may use the BridgeLinx smartphone app to book a variety of vehicles to transport their cargo. BridgeLinx says on its website that its scheduling and routing technology links them with the most dependable, cost-effective, and efficient transport partner and that clients can follow their shipments in real-time through the app. All shipment-related papers are also accessible through the site.
Also Read: Tech Tuesday startup of the week: Truck It In
Features (Coverage and Service in road freight)
BridgeLinx includes a lot of useful functions including,
End-to-end load execution
Our solutions provide customized, end-to-end coverage, from port operations through paperwork and payment.
Hassle-free shipping
Without making a single phone call, our mobile and web solutions allow you to book, track, and troubleshoot loads.
National coverage, local expertise
We link local supply and operational networks in Pakistan to give coverage throughout 100+ lanes.
Personalized, round-the-clock service
Dedicated account managers and round-the-clock assistance ensure that you never have to worry about freight.
BridgeLinx raises $10mn in seed round
The Lahore-based firm, which launched as a digital freight network, marketplace, and solutions provider nine months ago, secured $10 million, the country’s highest seed capital investment. Moreover, it surpassed Sada Pay’s $7.2 million earlier this year.
Furthermore, according to Magnitt, the investment round was headed by Harry Stebbings’ 20 VC, Josh Buckley’s Buckley Ventures, and Indus Valley Capital. Wavemaker Partners, Quiet Capital, TrueSight Ventures, Soma Capital Strategic, Flexport, Magnus Rausing’s UNTITLED, and others are among the VC investors.
Also Read: Tech Tuesday: Startup of the week SadaPay!
Undoubtedly, the Pakistani startup sector has lately made headlines, with a handful of firms raising millions of dollars in series owing to seed investment.
Last but not the least, if you like this article, find out more startups in our segment Tech Tuesday. If you want your startup to get featured, contact us.
Facebook introduces Ray-Ban Stories First-Generation Smart Glasses
Facebook introduces Ray-Ban stories
Facebook introduces Ray-Ban Stories on September 9th, 2021. A pair of smart glasses that allow you to shoot photographs and video, share your travels. You can also listen to music, and make phone calls while staying connected to everyone around you. Ray-Ban Stories, created in collaboration with Facebook and EssilorLuxottica.
Features of Facebook Ray-Ban stories
The twin inbuilt 5MP cameras allow you to capture life’s experiences in real-time from a unique first-person perspective. Using the capture button or hands-free with Facebook Assistant voice commands, you can effortlessly record the world as you see it. While shooting images and up to 30-second movies. When you’re shooting a photo or video, a hard-wired capture LED illuminates to alert anyone around. Ray-Ban Stories’ three-microphone audio array provides better speech and sound transmission for conversations. Streamlined, open-ear speakers are integrated.
Beamforming technology and a background noise suppression algorithm provide for an enhanced calling experience like you’d expect from dedicated headphones.
Compatibility with Facebook view app
Ray-Ban Stories is compatible with the new Facebook View app, allowing you to easily share your stories and experiences with friends and followers on social media. On iOS and Android, the Facebook View app makes it simple to import, edit, and share material taken by the smart glasses to applications on your phone, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. You may also save material to the camera roll on your phone, edit it, and share it from there. Additionally, Facebook View’s new, exclusive post-capture features allow you to generate unique material to add a personal touch to your posts.
Augmented Reality spectacles from Snapchat
In contrast, the new Spectacles include twin waveguide screens that can overlay AR effects created with Snapchat’s software. Four built-in microphones, two stereo speakers, and a built-in touchpad are included in the frame.
Moreover, front-facing cameras assist the glasses in detecting things and surfaces you’re looking at, allowing graphics to interact more organically with the environment.
The Facebook Ray-Ban Stories will be offered in 20 style combinations online and in select retail shops in the United States, as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Have something to add to the story? Comment down below!
WhatsApp now allows chat history transfer from iOS to Android, but there’s a catch
WhatsApp chat history transfer from iOS to Android
One of WhatsApp’s peculiarities is that there is no straightforward method to move chats between iOS and Android, making it difficult for people who switch phones frequently. That may no longer be an issue, since WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, is now allowing users to move conversation history between iOS and Android devices.
Android chat formats and cloud backups
In Android and iOS, WhatsApp employs different formats and cloud backups, making it difficult to recover chats after a fresh app install. The second factor is that the application utilizes on-device encryption for all discussions (save those that are backed up to the cloud), which complicates things even further.
Read More: WhatsApp might give you the option to transfer chat history from iOS to Android soon
As a result, WhatsApp will continue to prohibit the cloud-based transmission of conversations between operating systems. WhatsApp now allows users to transfer their chat history from iOS to Android using a USB-C to Lightning adapter. This includes text messages, pictures, videos, and voice chats.
What’s the catch?
The catch is that this function is only available on Samsung phones running Android 10 or above at the moment. It claims it will extend compatibility for other Android smartphones in the near future, but there is no timetable.
The following are the requirements for transferring WhatsApp from iOS to Android, according to the tech giant:
- Samsung SmartSwitch app version 3.7.22.1 or greater
- WhatsApp iOS version 2.21.160.17 or greater on your old device
- WhatsApp Android version 2.21.16.20 or greater on your new device
- USB-C to Lightning cable (or equivalent adapters)
- Use the same phone number on the new device as the old device.
- Your new Android device must be factory new or reset to factory settings.
It is currently not possible to migrate from Android to iOS, however, future upgrades are planned to completely allow this capability for users on both platforms.
Have something to add to the story? Comment down below!
PUBG reveals trailer of its new project ‘Prologue,’ what gamers can expect?
PUBG reveals new project Prologue
The ever-popular PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has published a teaser for its upcoming project titled “Prologue.” The trailer shows a player in a forest with sounds of nature, rain, heavy breathing, animals, and leaves.
Prologue by PUBG
Following the statement issued by its website, it reads, “Prologue is an exploration of new technologies and gameplay. Our aim with this game is to give players unique and memorable experiences, each and every time they play.”
Brendan Greene, the franchise’s creator, stated that they aim to build “realistic sandbox worlds on a scale that’s seldom tried.”
He also added that they want to create a scale that’s “rarely attempted.”
Additionally, “Thousands of users communicating, exploring, and creating in worlds hundreds of kilometers across.”
What gamers can expect from PUBG’s new project Prologue?
Furthermore, he disclosed additional facts about the Prologue, which has been limited until now. Except for a few references of the game since it was initially unveiled. As noticed by Comicbook.com, he posted a video providing facts about the new game and what gamers can expect to see when released.
Greene’s aspirations will begin to take shape with Prologue. A survival game in which players will be guided through a huge procedurally generated environment defined by Greene. “Tech demo” is a term used to describe a demonstration of The game. The game will be available for free to play or on the “pay what you want” model. That means that players will be able to make offers in favor of the developer.
Also Read: Xiaomi pushes Apple down to become the second-largest smartphone maker
What PUBG Prologue features?
Above All, for starters, fans of sandbox-style open-world games will be pleased to learn that the Prologue game may have a vast environment for players to explore and interact with.
Unquestionably, with “hundreds of kilometers” to travel. Players will also be able to “interact, explore, and create” as part of the game, creativity will be a major emphasis point.
Watch the official teaser of PUBG Prologue here:
Have something to add to the story? Comment down below!
Tech Tuesday Start Up of the Week: Portsea Games
What is VR Gaming?
VR gaming refers to a new generation of games that employ VR technology to provide players with real game action. VR gaming gear and peripherals, such as VR headsets, sensor gloves, and, controllers to allow participants to both experience and affect the game world.
What VR accessories can be used to play games?
Virtual reality games can be played on standalone systems, dedicated gaming consoles, laptops, and capable PCs. Usually powering popular VR headgear like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Lenovo Mirage Solo.
Among all, a start-up in Pakistan aiming to create premium full-feature VR games with cutting-edge techniques that offer unrivaled immersion to gamers everywhere. That start-up is Portsea Games.
Portsea Games
This start-up is poised to make a mark in the gaming business as the country’s first company to produce in-house games for PC and other platforms. Portsea Games is a new Virtual Reality-focused game studio with the goal of creating premium full-feature VR games using cutting-edge technology that provides gamers with unmatched experiences.
It is a collection of enthusiastic people from Islamabad who are driven by their love of games and the joy they provide to people of all ages. With a focus on learning, researching, improvising, and implementing new technologies, they are able to add value to the whole product range.
Knights Risen: A Tale of Sacrifice
Portsea is presently being sponsored by an Australian firm. With their help, Portsea Games are producing Virtual Reality and PC-based games. Their most recent game is, ‘Knights Risen: A Tale of Sacrifice.”
It is an upcoming online battle-arena that adds a novel survival component to already well-known multiplayer combat games. The game’s objectives challenge you to use your knight’s flairs to explore, scavenge, and survive. While becoming the first to leave the island, as only one person may flee.
According to the start-up, “Our vision is to create the first of its kind of a Battle Royal. That is composed of a concept taken from Escape Room.
They also said, “Unlike traditional battle royales, it is going to focus on ways of escaping out of an Island by surviving. And then finding a way out by competing against other players. The one to escape first will be declared as a winner.”
About Knights Risen: A Tale of Sacrifice
The game uses cutting-edge technology such as Unity3D, Mirror, Microsoft Azure, and others. It furthermore offers a post-apocalyptic setting. The player must navigate through a foggy forest and survive not only your opponents in the game. But also mutant creatures and monsters that might attack you at any point and kill your chances of winning.
Another unique aspect of this game is the powers; they only operate for a limited time, giving gamers an advantage depending on the character they pick.
Moreover, in the game, there are a variety of characters. Each with its own special abilities such as super-speed, night vision, and other features. Furthermore, they may be customized according to the player’s tastes.
Knights Risen by Portsea Games takes Virtual Reality gaming to a whole new level, infusing it with originality that other VR games lack.
Last but not the least, if you like this article, find out more startups in our segment Tech Tuesday. If you want your startup to get featured, contact us.
Tech Tuesday Start up of the Week: Walee
Influencer marketing and social media exposure
Influencer marketing, also known as sponsored content or collaborating with artists is a proven approach to increase your brand’s social media exposure. Simply said, an influencer is someone who has the ability to influence others. Influencer marketing is when a powerful individual work with a company to promote a product. The first type of influencer marketing was celebrity endorsements. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for implementing this strategy, but with the appropriate planning and analysis, almost any company may profit. Let’s look at how to use a social media influencer program to your advantage. But what if there is an existing platform that enables brands and media agencies to connect with influencers for executing online campaigns? Well, Walee takes care of influencers and brand management.
Walee
Walee, founded in 2019 by Muhammad Ahsan Tahir, connects businesses and media agencies/brands with influencers for the purpose of conducting online campaigns. The business claims to have a network of over 50,000 influencers (the bulk of them are presumably micro-influencers) with a combined reach of 100 million followers, according to its website. Walee has registered over 5,000 brands to far, according to their website.
What does Walee do?
With Walee influencers can use the platform to promote businesses’ products and services to their following on various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The business platform also provides a service that allows influencers to sell items from its partner companies and agencies in exchange for a share of each transaction. On the site, artists may also express an interest in participating in a campaign (hosted by a brand) and completing the deliverables. The creators may also see how much money they’ve made from each campaign on the site and withdraw it through various methods whenever they choose.
Social media listening tool Walee
Walee has also developed a social media listening tool to assist companies in monitoring and analyzing social media conversations. Branchild Communications, a Z2C-owned media firm, has announced a collaboration with Walee to market the tool to Pakistani companies.
Walee raises $2.7 million seed
Z2C, a Pakistani communications business with interests in advertising, public relations, technology, and commerce, has funded $2.7 million in Walee. The fair value measurement was not disclosed, but Z2C acknowledged that it purchased a minority share in it.
Walee intends to expand its platform to the Middle East and will do so with a portion of its recent investment. The money will also be used to assist the business speed up its product development.
Last but not the least, if you like this article, find out more startups in our segment Tech Tuesday. If you want your startup to get featured, contact us.
Swipe up for links in Instagram stories to go away on August 30
Goodbye Swipe up option on Instagram stories!
Users will no longer be able to swipe up on Stories to access external links supplied by the Story author, instead opting for a new link sticker, which will be available starting August 30.
Only verified profiles and users with at least 10,000 followers had access to the swipe-up feature.
In June, Instagram began testing link stickers for all users, not only those with access to the swipe-up feature. When it appears on Aug. 30, however, the link sticker will only be available to individuals who previously qualified for swipe-up capabilities.
Introducing stickers instead of swipe up for Instagram stories
At the time, Vishal Shah, then-head Instagram’s of product, told that stickers were a better fit for how people used Stories.
Indeed, the Stories platform already has stickers for features like donations, music, and polls.
The link sticker may be personalized in the same way that other stickers in Stories can, providing creators flexibility over color, location, and text, allowing it to be placed wherever they want in the Story for optimal interaction. Unlike the swipe-up feature, viewers can interact with Stories that carry the link sticker by reacting to and replying to postings.
Also Read: Instagram launches ‘limits’ to hide abusive messages
Why stickers?
Stickers appeal to younger users, who enjoy slapping them all over the place. The rest of us are baffled, owing to the fact that this isn’t Pokémon. For many people, Instagram is a real business. Changes like this jolt them out of their complacency. They have the sensation of a landslide. For them, everything changes.
Is swipe up stickers on Instagram available for people?
A user tweeted regarding the stickers inquiring about the sticker option. Her tweet reads,
To which in response Sam Sheffer tweets a picture that indicates stickers are coming soon.
Also Read: Instagram Now Lets You Recover Deleted Posts
How can you get Instagram swipe up option available on your account?
Following are the terms from which your swipe-up option can be available on Instagram.
- You can get a business account on Instagram will a public setting.
- Your followers must be 10,000.
- You must have a verified account.
You can then add a link from your story with the link option shown on top of the screen. Simply type or paste a URL of the story you want to link.
Make sure you use a link that is relevant to your post for the best results. Don’t simply direct your followers to your website and leave them to their own devices. Isn’t it true that you want them to take action? You must make it extremely simple for them.
Have something to add to the story? Comment down below!
The Future of Virtual Reality and Holograms: Microsoft Mesh, Google Starline and Facebook Horizon Workrooms
The future of Virtual Reality
There is widespread agreement that augmented and virtual reality will disrupt marketing and management in a variety of ways once it becomes a mainstream medium. One oft-asked – but largely unsolved – the question is whether augmented reality would render existing physical products and services outdated.
Today we will discuss three major breakthroughs in the tech world that have made virtual reality, hologram, and augmented and mixed reality very much alive!
Also Read: Google Photos is ending unlimited free storage
Horizon Workrooms
Horizon Workrooms is the next step in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse vision. This aims to bring virtual reality workplace meetings with a number of features and new technologies. This will set it apart from popular social apps like Rec Room, focusing on work and collaboration rather than socializing with friends.
It’s been designed with virtual reality in mind, meaning you’ll need a VR headset. And more specifically the Oculus Quest 2 – to enjoy most of the features available as part of Workrooms. Of course, not everyone has a VR headset to hand, so users will also be able to join workrooms via a web app. This is added for a more traditional video call experience. It offers virtual workspace, avatars, hand tracking, spatial audio, mixed reality, and virtual whiteboards.
Also Read: Google Chrome launches new features at Google I/O conference
Is Facebook Horizon available to download?
Facebook Horizon Workrooms is now in testing and available to anyone with an Oculus Quest 2 headset. To get started, simply download the Workrooms app from the Oculus Store.
Microsoft Mesh
“Here can be anywhere”. Mesh is a collaborative platform that enables people to share virtual experiences across several devices. Alex Kipman explains, “This has been the ideal for mixed reality. The idea from the beginning.” Alex Kipman is the tech lead developer of the Microsoft HoloLens smartglasses.
Kipman further added, “You can actually feel like you’re in the same place with someone sharing content or you can teleport from different mixed reality devices. And be present with people even when you’re not physically together.”
Feel presence with Microsoft Mesh
Microsoft Mesh brings digital intelligence to the real world. You’ll be able to connect with a new level of depth and dimension. Use eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures to communicate. As technology slips away, your personality shines through.
Where can I get Microsoft Mesh?
1- Go to the Microsoft Store and download the Microsoft Mesh app (preview).
2 – From the pins panel on your HoloLens 2, open the Microsoft Mesh app.
3 – Log in with your Microsoft Azure AD (business) account or your Microsoft Account (personal).
Google Starline
People enjoy gathering in groups to share, collaborate, and connect. And, with less travel and more remote work this year, being together has never seemed more vital.
Google Starline is a technology initiative that combines breakthroughs in hardware and software to allow friends, families, and coworkers to feel connected even when they’re located in different cities (or countries).
How can I get Google Starline?
The technology is now only available in a few Google locations, but the company wants to start working with select partners in the coming year, particularly in the healthcare and media industries.
Have something to add to the story? Comment down below!