Truecallerhas announced the addition of a new spam filtering feature for its iOS app, which will seamlessly filter out SMS and MMS spam from iMessage and send them directly to a junk tab.
Similar to junk email, which is filtered into a designated spam folder, you will no longer have to waste time deleting unwanted messages manually from your device, allowing you to communicate safely and more efficiently with those that matter.
Truecaller blocks more than 100 million spam SMS and text messages each week globally, and with its ever-growing community, iOS users will now be able to filter out junk SMS with the most powerful spam blocking app.
On a weekly basis approximately 82 million spam texts or SMS are received by Indian users, out of which 24 million are automatically blocked.
We are always looking for ways to increase safety while communicating. Now, iPhone users will have a powerful tool to automatically filter junk and spam SMS, which has been highly requested by our users.
Along with recent releases such as Flash Messaging and Google Duo powered video calling, this is another in a long list of new features within the popular Truecaller app, which makes it a one-stop communications platform with a smart dialer, caller ID, and spam blocking service that is already used by more than 250 million users globally.
There has been a rapid transformation in each and every sector due to technology, much of which can be attributed to the advent of the internet. Though every device is becoming much more ‘smart’er; be it the phone, refrigerator, washing machine, etc., there are still some devices/tools that are still very 90’ish and had to make the technological shift. One such tool is the Screwdriver and it was about time that the screwdriver also went smart along with a major design overhaul!
Today, consumers expect a smart device for an enhanced performance, longer lifetime, and faster charging cycles as well as compact designs. A couple of days back, Bosch Power Tools India, leading manufacturer and marketer of power tools for construction, woodworking, and metalworking industry, announced the launch of a smart screwdriver ‘Bosch GO‘. This new smart screwdriver combines all these features and is bound to boost engineering standards.
Bosch GO Smart Screwdriver
‘Bosch GO’ smart screwdriver is a perfect tool for screwing tasks, it is not only cordless but also has a very compact design that makes it very easy to use. ‘Bosch GO’ is the smart screwdriver where a simple push gets the work done and it’s intelligent E-clutch system knows when to stop on reaching the target torque. The strong spindle lock closes the gap between manual and automatic operation helping users to stop impending work on demand.
Bosch GO is powered by a lithium-ion battery and is compact & easy to carry around anytime, anywhere. The tool is designed to be as close to the shape and size of a manual screwdriver in order to help the Indian user leapfrog from manual effort to effortless working with minimal discomfort. With the smart screwdriver, you no longer need to worry about the misaligned screws since it has excellent precision. ‘A simple push, A perfect finish’ perfectly suits the Bosch GO.
Advantages of the Bosch GO Smart Screwdriver
Compared to the normal screwdriver, this tool has the following advantages:
Powerful – Four times more powerful than the existing screwdriver
Intuitive – Intuitive operation style, just push to drive screws [Push & Go]
Precise – Intelligent E-clutch system stops when you want to stop
Lightweight – It is just 0.28 kg making it easy to carry and enabling hassle-free working for a long time.
Torque setting – The torque setting has six levels, 1 is for small screws into soft surfaces, e.g. Softwood. 2~4 is for standard screws & 5~6 is for big screws on hard surfaces, such as metal, teak wood, etc.
Features and Technical information of Bosch GO Smart Screwdriver
Developed with an extended UX approach and with a user-friendly design, it adds an aesthetic value to repair tasks. From tightening to loosening screws, this smart screwdriver comes with adjustable 5/2.5 Nm torque and the speed goes up to 360 rpm. The user can even use the product manually as it has a spindle lock that allows him to carry on the screwdriving operation without any hassle.
‘Bosch GO’ is powered by the 3.6V 1.5Ah in-built battery for longer run time and 90 mins of charging attains a full charge. ‘Bosch GO’ features new innovations that deliver unprecedented run-time and efficiency for any kind of application. It has a Micro-USB charging point and a 3-LED charging indicator. The screwdriving functions can be carried on with absolute ease due to the rotary brush plate that assists with the forward and reverse rotation.
To summarize, below are the major features and in-depth technical information of Bosch GO
Features of Bosch GOTechnical Details of Bosch GO
What’s in the Box – Bosch GO Smart Screwdriver
The Bosch GO kit comes with the following:
Bosch Go smart screwdriver in a plastic case
33 pieces screwdriver bits
USB Adaptor and USB cable
Be it tightening door hinges, fixing electrical switchboards, repairing cycles, furniture installation, etc., with the smartness of Bosch GO you can now enjoy effortless & high-precision screwdriving 🙂
Bosch GO Smart Screwdriver – Pricing and Availability
Bosch GO is available on Amazon India and Flipkart at a price of Rs. 2,199 & Rs. 2,399 respectively. The retail price is Rs. 4,450 and the product will be available at dealer stores across India from October onwards. Customers can reach at 18004258665 & bpt@in.bosch.com
Truecaller has announced that it will be launching Truecaller Ads Manager, a self-serving platform for its ads, and soon be enabling advertisers to launch six-second videos on its platform.
Truecaller Ads Manager will open its unique ad inventory to small and medium businesses. The platform will enable small and medium sized businesses to manage their ad campaigns running on Truecaller’s ad platform proactively, enabling scale to reach a larger audience in a personalized manner.
As video consumption drives mobile usage in India, the move will allow marketers and advertisers to achieve top-of-the mind recall and increased brand awareness. The six-second video ads will further help them drive purchase intent and deliver contextually relevant messages to their audiences.
Truecaller Ads has grown as a platform with over 300 per cent the past 12-months, and has recorded 200 million impressions on its ads, in India alone. Following this growth, the move further strengthens Truecaller’s commitment towards inherently engaging their users with their partners.
Commenting on the launch, Ted Nelson, Chief Commercial Officer, Truecaller said
We are excited to launch Truecaller Ads Manager as it will give small & medium sized businesses an easy way to utilize our unique ad platform. With this launch, we aim to fast track programmatic advertising in India. Also, with the consumption of video content across entertainment and media soaring in India, this is a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their brand to their consumers by leveraging video content to reach their audiences.
Having launched many updates earlier this year, Truecaller is expanding its frontiers to add more value to the lives of its customers and partners.
Synechron, Inc, he global financial services consulting and technology services provider, in partnership with Efma, has released a report revealing that C-suite banking executives largely believe that the future of the bank branch is bright, with the proper investment into digital transformation.
The World Branch Report 2017, entitled Digital Branch Transformation – The Evolution of Branch Banking surveyed decision-making bankers from across the globe in order to examine the role bank branches play in the current digital era and in a time of mobile-first thinking, and gather insight into where branch banking is trending. As a leader in digital branch transformation, Synechron sought to focus around four key areas, including the current market perception of the bank branch, where banks are investing in branches, how new technology can enhance the branch model, and what role staff will play in the bank of the future. Some key findings include:
Survey shows 88% believe physical branches add value to customers and will play a role in the future of banking.
Nearly a quarter [24%] intend to increase their branch network and invest in changing the model, yet nearly one in four [39%] said they plan to decrease their branch networks whilst investing in change to the current model.
63% of respondents are planning to change their branch model in line with digital transformation.
Over recent years, the number of bank branches have been in steady decline with significant closures across the US, Europe and the UK. However, this new research suggests that 88% of the bankers surveyed believe that physical branches add value to customers and will continue to play a significant role in the future of banking.
Retail and Consumer Bankers are predominantly looking towards technology to improve the in-branch customer experience and evolve the role of their staff as opposed to motives around reducing cost and reducing FTEs.
The top focus area for branch transformation as identified by those surveyed is to improve customer service/engagement, which 42% identified as a priority, followed closely by the evolution of the role of branch staff [40%]. This, however, is followed closely by introducing digital interactive experiences [38%]and self-service automated technologies [36%].
The bank of the future will continue to have a physical presence, as 97% of bankers agree that only people can bring an emotional connection to the bank, and their role will be focused on bringing the relationship connection with the bank. However, 62% of respondents are planning to reduce overall headcount in bank branches. While the traditional branch model historically was centred around transactions, the branch of the future will evolve to serve as an advisory service hub, complimented by digital experiences and employing bankers with specialized skills that combine sales and service responsibilities.
Bank branches have played a critical role in the development and success of retail banking in modern times and they will continue to play an important role, but our new report with Efma shows that the model must change and adapt to support today’s digital customer. Through digitization, the bank branch can reinvent itself to improve the experience for the customer while maintaining the personal and emotional connection which many customers value so highly.
The coming years will prove significant for retail banks as they look to evolve their value proposition, acquire new customers, and retain existing one’s through a culmination of digital and physical services.
We are at a digital crossroads within the banking industry, and while digital and emerging technologies are taking the lead, our survey with Synechron confirmed that banks still value the physical bank branch, and are looking for ways to merge the two experiences to gain the best outcomes for both banks and their customers. Prioritizing digital is no longer a ‘nice to have’ addition to a bank, but is critical in shaping their future strategic bank initiatives and the future of customer experience in the branch.
ToneTag, a sound based proximity payment technology provider launched an Audio Pod for merchants. ToneTag Audio Pod is as simple as just tapping a phone on a Pod to complete a transaction. On tapping the phone on the ToneTag Audio Pod, the pod emits a sound wave carrying data that is received by the mobile phone. On confirmation of the same, the payment is complete.
Image Source – ToneTag
From the invention of wheels and flint stone tools to Nano-technology and artificial intelligence, man has always produced technologies and machines that make his life easier. In today’s world, technology is everywhere! Everything we do involves technology. It is completely integrated into our lives and the two have become inseparable. Even the way we make payments has evolved significantly. Today, we have different types of payment technologies available, including cards, mobile payment options such as NFC, QR codes, RFID chips, e-wallets, applications and many more.
But what about a device that can be placed anywhere and can enable payments via sound without any dependency on Wi-fi or internet? Sounds intriguing, right? That is because we do not associate sound with payments, but with more traditional things such as music. But why should the beneficial nature of sound be curtailed or confined to producing just music? Why can’t one utilize sound based technology to make payments? Well, with ToneTag Audio Pod, you can!
ToneTag Audio Pod is a device that can be used by any merchant irrespective of their scale of operations or nature of the business. This device can be that trigger which enables mass acceptance of digital mode of payments amongst merchants. In our push towards a digital economy, a device like the ToneTag Audio Pod can bring in both the merchant and the consumer segment to accelerate the digital drive.
ToneTag Audio Pod is a one stop solution for everything in payments.
Enables quick and faster checkout at stores, with transactions being completed under three seconds and thereby acting as a queue buster
Any issuer, merchant or acquirer can use the ToneTag Audio Pod to receive payments
Payment acceptance from any e-wallet or banking application
Payment experience is better when compared to prevalent methods
No congestion and rush at stores, giving merchants and customers a pleasant retail experience
Works in offline conditions. No data connection required
Robust build quality, combined with state of the art design features
BookMyShow has announced that it has become the first Indian online ticketing brand to participate in the WhatsApp business pilot. As part of this test, BookMyShow has made WhatsApp a default ticket confirmation channel for all its users.
This means that users who book tickets on BookMyShow will now receive a message on WhatsApp with the confirmation text or an M-ticket [Mobile Ticket] QR Code, along with an email.
At BookMyShow, we are constantly taking measures to enhance our users’ experience on our platforms. Keeping up with their changing preferences and habits, we decided to integrate BookMyShow with WhatsApp for its pilot. WhatsApp has definitely become a preferred mode of communication for millions of people in our country and we could identify tremendous value in making it a default ticket confirmation channel. We have already started rolling out this feature and over the course of next few weeks, we aim to scale it to cover our entire user base.
BookMyShow had recently introduced ‘Plan-it’, the in-app messaging feature for friends and families to interact with each other in real time, suggesting movies, show times, venue options and eventually complete the movie tickets booking from within the chat window.
HackerEarth, a leader in innovation and talent management software have released a report titled Global Hackathon Report outlining the market shares of key regions and sectors contributing to Hackathons. The report was released at IndiaHacks 2017. More than 1000 hackathons, conducted across 75 countries in the world, from 2015 till date have been analysed for the report.
Not surprisingly, with 379 hackathons, the US topped the list of countries with most hackathons
India ranks second with 105 hackathons
The list of top cities had no surprise entrants with London having conducted the most hackathons (31), followed by San Francisco (28)
Three Indian cities, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad make it to the list of top 10 cities in the world
Private companies rule the roost
Of the hackathons conducted, almost 50% were hosted by Private organizations in different sectors to develop low-cost solutions, fast-track innovative ideas, and encourage creativity among employees
Nonprofits primarily conducted hackathons for social good or the environment
Public companies and governments use hackathons to build relationships between disciplines, mine data for new useful content, develop new technology approaches, create economic value
Hackathons are not one-off events
According to the research around 52% are recurring hackathons with annual editions.
Women-only hackathons are nowhere near enough, but the report did bring a glimmer of hope
The number of all-female events almost doubled from 2015 to 2016. The study separately analyzed close to 40 women-only hackathons
The report indicates that organizations do understand the barriers—sexism, isolation, condescension, and frustration—women in technology face
The number of all-female hackathons in 2016 was almost twice that in 2015 and companies have begun to recognize that gender disparity has far-reaching consequences and are making a conscious effort to mitigate them
Domains and themes hinting at new possibilities
Traditionally, hackathons were conducted exclusively in the IT sector. However, in the last decade, firms in sectors as diverse as banking, food, climate, and health care are experimenting with hackathons to address problem-solving and new ways of thinking
Emerging technologies such as IoT, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, and Augmented reality/Virtual reality were among the top domains in the two-year period, reinforcing their positions as potential intelligent and digital disruptors across industries
Mobile app and web development was the second most popular domain.
The most popular domain and theme is Multi-discipline, which comprises hackathons where people [mostly high-schoolers and university grads] were asked to come together to ‘learn, build, and share’ exciting ideas or creations using any language, tool, or platform of their choice; this category also includes events for which finer details were not made public on their websites.
Cloud and data science were also popular domains at the hackathons
Payment, geo, communication, social, and music APIs were also popular
Universities more keen on encouraging learning than offering cash prizes
It is interesting to note that opportunities from mentors, investors & accelerators/incubators were the most popular form of award at these hackathons
Student hackathons were more about learning and innovative thinking, in no specific domain or theme, than cash prizes and sophisticated gadgets. This hints at a culture where today’s academia emphasizes out-of-the-box thinking, providing the students with chances to network and learn
Student-only hackathons are open to all students in high schools and universities; some hackathons also permit participation if a student has graduated recently.
Kruzr, positioned as the world’s first technology powered smart driving assistant launches their operations in the United States and United Kingdom, to address the problem of increasing number of deaths and accidents resulting from mobile phone usage while driving. Kruzr, a startup promoted by co-founders Pallav Singh and Dinesh Fatehpuria was conceptualized and designed on the principle of ‘safety first’ when it comes to driving.
The launch comes after several months of ground research and development to understand and address the requirements of the region. Following the success of their launch in India, the founders have decided to tap these markets considering the immense potential where the per capita adoption of cars is extremely high.
The smart app that leverages multiple technologies including pattern recognition, machine learning, natural language processing etc activates when one starts driving. The app then automatically manages incoming calls and messages to the owner [driver] with the personalized bot interacting and alerting inbound callers that one is driving at the moment and hence can leave a message for deferred attention.
Pallav Singh, Cofounder, Kruzr added
The per capita adoption of cars in the United States alone averages close to 800 as opposed to India which is around 167. This large adoption coupled with the heightened awareness of driving safety in these markets provides ample opportunity for a product like Kruzr. Team Kruzr have also taken into account the high speeds in which cars are driven in the West, increasing the probability of accidents and collateral damage.
According to a recent report in the US with regards to driving and accidents:
The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.
Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.
1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.
Texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.
94% of drivers support a ban on texting while driving.
74% of drivers support a ban on hand-held cell phone use.
How Kruzr works
Kruzr is a free mobile app, which can be downloaded by anyone on to their smart phones. It is the ideal driving assistant, always with you and protecting you on every trip short or long. Kruzr has been meticulously designed and requires zero effort from drivers. Once it is set up, Kruzr runs in the background and kicks in when driving is detected. It detects driving within 30 seconds and activates automatically. The smart app then handles all calls and messages and only allows the important communication to filter through. Only those calls that pass the ‘Extremely Important’ muster will reach and alert the driver immediately.
On receiving an important call, the driver is advised to slow down and park the car to be safe. Important message notifications are buzzed and displayed only when one stops, like at a signal. In this scenario, reading and replying to even important messages becomes totally safe and harmless even during a trip.
A light and easy to use application, Kruzr helps cut down distractions by more than 95%, thereby reducing road accidents and fatalities as a direct fall out. Currently the app is free for everyone to download and use.
Kruzr : Enhancements in future releases
The Kruzr team is also currently working on developing other new age technologies to further enhance the capabilities of mobile devices with an aim to ensure better safety on roads. These include complete voice interface and automatic crash detection. Voice interface will ensure that the driver never needs to look at the phone or take his hands off the steering wheel to get anything done on the phone. With automatic crash detection, the app will automatically detect accidents and we will ensure medical help reaches the accident site ASAP.
Kruzr for Android can be downloaded from here, iOS version is coming soon…
