Amazing Technology

[Jim B]

I use Shazam for finding music titles and it's excellent; some of the obscure titles it finds is amazing.
I now use an "App" called Sygic as Sat Nav on my mobile; much more detailed and up to date than my Garmin.

Jim

[PolemIan]

Can't beat a gadget! Shazam very good, as is SoundHound which is similar, like the way that for many songsthey bring up the lyrics as well. Also with Shazam, not sure about SoundHound , you can listen to a song when offline and look it up later when connected. I've stopped the car a a few times when I've heard a song I like so I can find it later.

If you have an iPhone, when composing a text message if you tap in the i icon at the top, you can then choose to send a map of your location to someone without needing another app. Android phone may do the same as well, not sure, but let's not start that Apple v the rest debate again.....

Ian

[Lofos-5]

Now I realise that all of the above is neither new, nor cutting edge, but it's amazing how useful technology can be to us in our daily lives - if only we allow and embrace it.

And yet you have so much doubt about the unstoppable progress of electric vehicles? I'll post another article soon, the Economist keeps on writing about it all the time now, I am starting to think they must have a vested interest or something, lol !?

[Dominic]

The fact that we can have a video chat with somebody in the next continent FOR FREE is just incredible. 15 years ago you would need a dedicated ISDN line which would cost a packet.

[Jimgward]

I use an app called WAZE, for SatNav.

It’s free and works across the world. it gathers information automatically from users, so knows about congestion and stopped traffic and recalculate diversions etc. It also knows about Speed Traps, from users hitting the button on the screen, so fair warning is given on cameras. In soem countries, like FINLAND, cameras prosecute for any speed over the advertised. In Finland, they change speeds to catch drivers out - even in the middle of nowhere....

In Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria, the vans sit above motorway bridges, sometimes linked to 6 cameras on tripods. Not in areas known for accidents. In fact, the opposite. Usually on the longest and straightest stretches....

[Poppy]

You made me smile about using the mobile to take pictures! Yesterday we went on the Castle trail again. My husband of course had his posh Nikon but I decided to take a few on my mobile. It was sunny so I could not see at all what I was taking. When I got home I eagerly had a look and several of them were of me as I had the wrong setting and all the others were of my hand covering the lens - not succesful!!

[Lofos-5]

Here in Doha an average trip without Waze would probably take twice as long. It really helps to avoid traffic jams and diverts around the new construction sites that pop up almost on a daily basis (metro stations, World Cup football stadiums etc etc.).
It is really much better than Google maps which is odd as Google actually bought Waze some 2(?) years ago. Best of all, Waze is free. Cannot understand how Garmin or TomTom can still make money with their Satnav GPS equipment.

[Lofos-5]

I agree, whist tablets mobile phones etc can do a lot it is sometimes better to have a dedicated device..and for me a Satnav is one of those devices.

But isn't the problem that the moment you buy a SatNav it's maps are out of date? And they do not offer real-time alerts for congestions and diversions? I guess in Cyprus it does not matter too much but in the Middle East (for sure in Doha, Dubai) where the pace of change is so rapid my Garmin was rather useless to be honest. I have bought a good quality iPhone holder for the dashboard of my Truck, pair it with the audio system via Bluetooth and so can take hands-free calls, listen to my own music when the evening prayers start on the radio and use an up to date navigation system all in one - and if there is no tracks in the desert I switch to satellite view on Google maps (Waze's strength is limited to populated areas).

[Royal]

Technology is amazing.

Buy a tin of beans in Tesco and when scanned, the technology automatically orders another one from the warehouse to replace it and keeps an inventory record of the value of goods remaining in the store for insurance purposes. If you use a card to pay, the technology transfers money from your bank account to theirs seamlessly. Also, if you used your club card, the technology keeps a record of that and other items you bought in order to send you special offers for items you regularly buy or similar items which you are likely to buy in future. There is little need any longer for customer surveys due to supermarket technology.

Unfortunately, the flip side is that there are more and more self checkout points which mean people losing their jobs as we are now expected to do the scanning ourselves.

Pros and cons...

[PhotoLady]

....... But like you say, it does help if you're taking the pics through the right lens

A good reason to have a phone that has just one lens affixed at the rear.
In fact, there's two good reasons - no selfies here

[Dominic]

Plus, the maps on Google maps etc also get out of date.

[Jimgward]

I have a Beemer with satnav but it quickly gets out of date and you could buy a new satnav for what BMW charge to update.

I have Waze on an iPhone, in a holder, on charge. It’s prediction of arrival time is better and Re-routes in congestion invaluable in the UK. The screen also shows current speed limit and highlights if you are over. It also shows any accidents or breakdowns coming up.

In terms of usable technology, I happen to be an Apple fan and the ecosystem, where photos I take on a phone, automatically appear on iPad, iMac and MacBook, plus calendars, todos etc. I like the seamless transfers of files. I also use Dropbox for business, where folders are shared with coworkers etc. Modern apps can make life simpler, yet more complicated, if that makes sense.

I also like the look of the new Apple Watch with phone capability, with sms on it and access to other online services. The thought of not always taking a phone with me, is appealing, as without doubt, we overuse technology as well.

[Jim B]

Cannot understand how Garmin or TomTom can still make money with their Satnav GPS equipment.

I guess because they sell dedicated units. Using a mobile is not really practical or convenient for me, except on rare occasions.

I use a spare Galaxy Note phone just for Sat Nav and as said use Sygic which is right up to date, used it today at Statos after the police directed everyone leaving towards Panagia and it managed to get me back onto the Agia Vavara road on back roads I wasn't aware existed. I've been trying to update my Garmin but has been very difficult for several reasons.

Jim