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eSIM a technology likely to revolutionize the smartphone market

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eSIM a technology likely to revolutionize the smartphone market

One of the most interesting topics we are facing in the coming years in the mobile industry is the eSIM – the next generation of the common SIM Cards we all have in our smartphones. Over time, eSIM will become more and more widespread and have the potential to revolutionize the cellular world in the upcoming years. This article explains how eSIM technology works, what are the advantages for stakeholders and gives an overview of main market players and potential new applications.

eSIM, or “Embedded SIM”, refers to a pre-integrated SIM card that is soldered into a mobile phone. This silicon chip provides a secure vault for storing mobile subscription details into a secure and trustful digital format. An eSIM occupies 60 times less volume than a nano-SIM and can be embedded and fastened into any consumer mobile device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, connected PC, or tablet.

The advantages of eSIM

eSIMs come with several advantages over removable SIM cards, explains Nicolas Chalvin, Vice-President Marketing Connectivity & Embedded Solutions at Thales Group, an eSIM solution provider. “For example, eSIM enhances the overall customer experience thanks to the digitalization of the mobile subscription onboarding process, as users benefit from all the advantages of a classic SIM card, but without having to wait to receive it by mail or having to go to a store to buy one. Having the possibility to remotely select and upload a mobile subscription of a Telecom Operator in the eSIM enables you to make full usage of the capabilities of your phone, such as calls, SMS, MMS and data, with a feeling of freedom while offering the same level of security as a physical SIM. This freedom is what makes eSIM part of the digitization strategy of telecom operators.”

Nicolas Chalvin, Vice-President Marketing Connectivity & Embedded Solutions at Thales Group

But there are more advantages: for example, eSIM reduces the surface used inside the device, thus reducing the costs for device manufacturers and allowing them to use the space for other functionality. In the M2M domain, which requires soldering the SIM card for technical reasons such as vibrations and prohibiting the possibility of removing the SIM, the eSIM provides flexibility and the reduction of the number of required stock- keeping units (SKU).

Finally, eSIM lowers the logistic complexity of Telecom Operators by reducing physical SIM stock management. It brings them more simplicity, as eSIMs avoid manipulation of physical SIM and provide device subscriptions instantaneously. “Overall, eSIM remote provisioning will contribute to fully digitize Telecom Operators distribution channels, enabling a better customer experience and reducing commercial operating expenses, such as shops and logistics”, adds Chalvin.

The origin of eSIMs, standardization and consumer-market availability

With the aid of new Machine to Machine-Industrial (M2M) solutions that required more robustness, reliability and a longer lifespan, embedding SIM cards into a device became a necessity. However, soldering a SIM into a device raised the question of how to manage the various Mobile Operators subscriptions that this SIM would have to store. In 2010, the Global System for Mobile Communications industry body (GSMA) decided to tackle this challenge, with a specification that defines what an eSIM is and how to remotely provision one with subscription profiles in an M2M context.

Since then, eSIMs and Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) solutions for M2M have been widely adopted, especially by the automotive industry. In the consumer market, device manufacturers started to embrace eSIM for the potential value it could bring to new devices such as wearables and connected ultra-mobile laptops and tablets. Upon GSMA announcing consumer initiative in 2015, the first eSIM-equipped consumer devices were released but with limited impact on the market due to the relative share of wearables and connected PCs in the cellular space.

However, this changed suddenly in September 2018 when Apple announced to deliver its new iPhone line-up with built-in eSIMs open to any qualified mobile network operator (MNO), except China. Other manufacturers followed suit: Google in December 2018 with Pixel 3, Motorola in 2019 with the “Razr V4 fold”, Samsung with their flagship S20 and Huawei with the P40/P40 Pro. With the arrival of the largest Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offering eSIM enabled smartphones, more than 2000 mobile operators offering eSIM services to their customers and covering more than 50 countries in almost all regions of the world, eSIM changed the consumer market forever. eSIM is now also a global GSMA specification, enabling remote SIM provisioning of any mobile device.

Motorola razr with Thales eSIM
 

eSIM ecosystem overview

Three main actors that make up the eSIM ecosystem:

  1. eSIM Solutions providers that include eSIM hardware components, eSIM subscription profiles and remote subscription profiles provided to mobile operators.
  2. Device manufacturers/OEMs that have to embed eSIM in their devices. These are smartphone makers (Apple, Google, Motorola, Samsung, Huawei, Rakuten, Meizu), smartwatches makers (Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi) and manufacturers of Tablets or Connected PC (Asus, Huawei, Microsoft Lenovo, Acer).
  3. Mobile Operators or CSPs (Communication Service Providers), who will deploy the RSP server in their infrastructure to remotely address eSIMs and load a subscription. RSP server which will therefore be provisioned with eSIM Subscription profiles.

“Some players, like Thales, can supply all the elements and others only certain bricks. Thales eSIM hardware products have been selected by several device makers in North America and Asia for wearables and smartphones and Thales servers equip the majority of the market. Because the eSIM is based on specifications issued by the GSMA, all the bricks of different suppliers are interoperable. There’s a growing trend in both the number of OEMs integrating eSIM and the number of devices equipped with eSIM and analysts predict 3.5 billion eSIM-enabled devices worldwide by 2024 for both consumer and M2M globally”, adds Chalvin.

eSIM market trends

Currently, the market is entering into a new phase with the acceleration of eSIM adoption by more smartphone manufacturers. “We see an increasing level of demand from OEMs who want to launch new smartphones, improve the capabilities of existing ones, or add eSIM support to wearables. This also applies to China with the notable exception of smartphones since local regulations do not allow them for the moment, although this should be resolved by the end of 2021.”

According to Thales’ market analysis, smartphones will represent more than 90% of the eSIM enabled consumer devices by 2024. Chalvin considers this change in the consumer market to be very important as reaching the critical mass of eSIM-enabled consumer devices will entice MNOs into increasing their efforts for transforming their business operations and leveraging their acquired eSIM solutions, he explains: “Being able to digitize the customer journey for many types of consumer devices including wearables, ACPCs (Always Connected PCs), and now smartphones will enable MNOs to increase their connectivity revenue.”

Compared to consumer solutions, the IoT/M2M market shows a different dynamic: the automotive sector remains by far the most active segment, but has slightly slower growth than that of consumers to date. Other M2M verticals that adopt eSIM are smart metering, tracking and traceability, smart cities, and retail/point of sale solutions. These are all examples of IoT, which is expected to have a key role in the massification of the use of eSIM.

A new age of contactless experiences and remote digital services

When asked if the current Covid-19 has changed current eSIM projects and activities, Chalvin answers that it has accelerated certain processes that were already put into practice. For example, many have acknowledged the need to go even further with the digitization of the distribution of mobile telephone subscriptions, which Chalvin thinks is in favor of eSIM: “Some Telecom Operators wish to reduce the number of stores or close them permanently, for which eSIM could be an alternative solution. While it is obvious that eSIM Solutions are part of a digital journey to obtain a mobile subscription, we also need digital enrolment and authentication or digital payment methods. These are digital bricks that Thales knows how to provide its customers.”

Chalvin adds that Covid-19 has also stressed the importance of contactless experiences and remote digital services: “The digital transformation of our societies, that started before this challenging context, has simply accelerated as digital solutions can tackle new stakes, such as paying contactless or signing a contract using a secure digital signature. We are now entering a “new normal” where digital security is mandatory and contactless experiences and remote digital services are privileged. The good news is that at Thales we are already on track to support this acceleration, making sure we can all trust this new world.”

SmartFlower – How These Flower-Shaped Solar Panel Systems Track the Sun

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SmartFlower – How These Flower-Shaped Solar Panel Systems Track the Sun

SmartFlower is a perfect blend of technology, solar panels, and aesthetically pleasing art. Due to its shape, it is also known as the Solar Sunflower. It uses the photovoltaic system, which has been incorporated into a beautiful design to raise social awareness and to enhance the surrounding landscape and architecture.

This all-in-one ground-mounted solar system does not differ from the traditional solar panels by design only, but also by its revolutionary technology. The SmartFlower actually opens up its solar petals in the morning, tracks the sun’s position during the day, and closes the petals after the sun goes down.

What is SmartFlower?

SmartFlower is a freestanding solar system which reaches 15.5 feet in diameter when petals are fully extended. The entire structure is no more than 194 square feet, and the system can produce approximately 2.5kW of electricity during the peak sunlight conditions. According to the developers of this technology, SmartFlower can generate 40% more solar power than any other conventional photovoltaic panel. Depending on the region and the amount of solar energy it gets, the SmartFlower’s output is between 3,400 and 6,200kW annually. The 3,400kW annually is enough for a three-to-four-person household.

SmartFlower comes with an integrated control panel that compiles relevant data, and the system is made accessible to users through the SmartFlower mobile application. One of the major advantages over conventional solar panels is the ease of usage and installation. Once planted, the SmartFlower works autonomously.

How does the technology work?

The technology works like a sunflower. When the sun rises in the morning, the SmartFlower unfolds its petals automatically thanks to the astronomical control system. The panels are positioned at a 90-degree angle to ensure maximum absorption. During the day, the GPS-controlled double-axle system tracks the sun, even if it is cloudy. At sunset, the petals automatically retract until the next morning. There are 12 solar petals in total, and each comes with a unique set of solar cells. These cells clean themselves via special brushes that are added to the back of each panel.

SmartFlower’s key features

Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash

Besides the innovative smart-tracking technology, SmartFlower comes with several other key features:

Self-Cleaning Technology 

Every panel comes with integrated special brushes that keep the whole system clean. When the petals fold and unfold, they automatically clean themselves from any dust, debris or even snow.

Smart Cooling System

Scientists have found out that solar panels produce less electricity when they heat too much. If the temperature of the system is 10°C or more, the loss of output will be 5%. For this reason, SmartFlower comes with Smart Cooling System which keeps the optimal temperature to ensure maximum electricity output.

Safety Sensors

SmartFlower comes with unique sensors that monitor the wind speed. If wind goes above 30 mph, petals are automatically folded into a secure position to avoid damage. If the wind rises up to 40 mph, the unit takes up the secondary security position as it does at night. The sensors keep tracking the wind speed and when it goes down, the petals unfold again and start generating electricity.

Portability

Most customers agree that portability is one of the major advantages SmartFlower has over conventional rooftop solar panels. The whole unit can be mounted or moved in less than an hour. There are four anchoring bolts that secure the SmartFlower in place. Unscrewing these bolts will allow you to move the unit to any desired location without the need to worry about additional installations.

Various Color Options

In addition to all other features, SmartFlower modules are available in various colors which makes the whole unit much more appealing.

Defying the ways of Irish pharmacy

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Defying the ways of Irish pharmacy

Since 2013 Irish pharmacist and founder Shane O’Sullivan has been shaking things up in the Irish pharmacy industry. The Managing Director of start up Healthwave, is bringing a new automated system to the restrictive Irish market with his new
product PillPods.

O’Sullivan who studied pharmacy, before also developing his tech skills, spotted a gap in the Irish market when many of the customers he dealt with complained about the prices of prescription drugs in Ireland in comparison to what they would pay for them abroad. It was something that bothered him enough to research a different model and make prescription drugs more accessible in Ireland.

“That’s where it all started,” says O’Sullivan. “researching a wholesale cost model in Ireland – we spent three months digging into it. It culminated in this really different kind of model – it’s a membership club you join and get these really good prices on par with the Spanish and Northern Irish prices we were hearing so much about. It was really well received as at the time people were in recession mode and were looking to save – it struck a chord with the general public.”

With the traditional model in Ireland, prescription drugs come with the added cost of a dispensing fee which could be anything from €5 to €10 per medicine. O’Sullivan scrapped the dispensing fee, charged a smaller mark up in the drugs and created a club membership fee of €2.99 a month to avail of these prices selling through one ‘super pharmacy’ in Dublin which also serves as a distribution hub.

This model really came into its own during the initial stages of Covid. For the first time in Ireland doctors could send electronic prescriptions to pharmacies opening up the opportunity for Healthwave to deliver drugs to all its members during the lockdown period.

Healthwave Picture Conor McCabe Photography

The PillPod

O’Sullivan’s interest in tech drove the model even further with the introduction of a ‘Carebot’ to handle prescriptions and messaging and now finally they have launched PillPods, their latest innovation, reducing manual labour for pharmacists and giving customers an easier way to receive their drugs.
The automated system was born out of research done on a field trip to visit Dutch centralised pharmacies. The PillPods system combines automated pill dispensing robotics with machine learning visual inspection technology. The machine learning model uses a high resolution camera and is capable of identifying the full range of tablets and capsules dispensed by the robotic dispenser, detecting anomalies such as broken tablets and flagging them to the pharmacist for manual approval via a cloud based platform.

The PillPod System

“It’s the final piece of the system we’ve been building, and we think it could be applied anywhere in Europe or even further afield,” explains O’Sullivan. The system is similar to PillPack in the states, which was acquired by Amazon. “It just changes the workflow in the pharmacy. Ireland is probably the strictest country in terms of [pharmacy] regulations, and they haven’t really adopted a lot of the processes the EU brought in a few years ago.”

“could be applied anywhere in Europe or even further afield” – O’Sullivan annd the system

Online Interviews Zooming Your Way To a More Profitable Business

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Online Interviews Zooming Your Way To a More Profitable Business

Online interviews became necessary and more popular this 2020.  Technology has been the best ally: there is a wide variety of online platforms and apps to hold professional virtual interviews. Today’s modern rules and considerations have guided business owners and human resources departments during remote hiring processes.

To determine what is the best hiring strategy for a company—besides the candidate meeting the mandatory requirements— here’s what you should consider before hiring remote  team members through online interviews:

Preparation before the online interview

Make sure you choose the best platform and that you feel comfortable with it. Take your time to test audio, video, and the different features the application provides.

It is important to create an itinerary so that both, candidates and interviewers, understand the conference flow and know in advance what to expect from this encounter. It is also courteous to let participants know if they should activate their video cameras or if they should download software to join the meeting.

Even though it is now natural to make sure that everything works well 10 to 15 minutes before the meeting, postdoctoral researcher Abdelrahman Y. Fouda recently suggested in a Nature column that everyone should include a few extra minutes in case of troubleshooting. It is common to have connectivity issues or technical glitches during online interviews.

During the online interview

Once you’ve confirmed that everything is working properly and you had that initial small talk, it’s time to ask the right questions. Besides the relevant questions you must ask candidates regarding their skills and abilities for the job, this is also an important opportunity to test their communication skills. 

If the person you want to hire will be working remotely —temporarily or permanently— this online interview can provide valuable information regarding how both of you could work as a team to solve problems and develop assignments. Make sure you ask questions that involve critical thinking and that test the applicant’s listening skills.

Additionally, seasoned business advocates like Alex Haimann suggest to include writing tasks during the interview instead of collecting writing samples before or after the meeting. This way, you can see how the candidate responds without extensive editing and under pressure. This is especially useful if the job position requires constant written communication, internal or external.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Hiring remote team members

Companies that are going through a remote hiring process for the first time should also bear in mind the qualities of a good freelancer. Perhaps your candidate has the knowledge and the work experience you demand, but they have never worked from home.

Before you hire a new team member for your remote project or job position, make sure you consider specifically what attributes you think are important to build a strong and long-term professional relationship. Some experts recommend acknowledging this person’s self-motivation, outside interests, and abilities to prioritize and face difficulties.

A remote worker won’t have direct supervision and must be able to complete the tasks and move forward without constant reminders. Trust and an efficient control and measurement system are crucial to achieve goals and maintain a good remote working harmony.

How Augmented Reality Has Changed and Why It Is Becoming a Trend in the Tech Industry

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How Augmented Reality Has Changed and Why It Is Becoming a Trend in the Tech Industry

Augmented Reality (AR) still looks like a very futuristic technology to many people. However, if we go back in history, we realize that this science —that allows us to superimpose information— has been around for a while. Specifically, since 1967 when Harvard computer science professor Ivan Sutherland created The Sword of Damocles.

The potential of augmented and virtual reality (VR) has remained latent and, during the past few years, it seems to be attracting more attention than ever. According to a recent IDC report, investments in AR and VR products and services will increase by up to 68% by 2023.

In this article we will quickly review how augmented reality has changed and why business leaders are eager to contribute money to this technology.

From Pokemon Go to Instagram Filters

Even though Google Glass got the industry’s attention in 2012, when it was launched, consumers weren’t ready or interested enough in this technology. Google’s recent transactions indicate that they haven’t renounced their revolutionary idea, but it wasn’t until 2016 that users showed real enthusiasm in augmented reality: When Pokemon Go became a worldwide phenomenon.

After its great success, Pokémon Go’s boom didn’t extinguish that easily, as some experts and users anticipated. In fact, against all odds, a few weeks ago Niantic’s game revenue hit $3.6 billion.

And then, social media stepped in. Since its origins, Snapchat created funny and very realistic AR filters that just keep improving, and recently declared to see a 37% increase in Snaps sent using an AR Lens. Instagram has also developed interesting intuitive virtual products and now more users are creating their own AR filters.

Social networks have had a great influence in commercial brands that are now creating AR filters and AR marketing strategies to gain popularity and boost sales.

What the Commercial Industry Is Doing

Augmented Reality has been used for different purposes and it is impressive and amazing to see how different industries —from health care to retail— have adopted it. AR became especially valuable during the COVID-19 crisis: Nestlé has been using it to provide remote support in their factories and maintain production.

When it comes to business-to-consumer (B2C) experiences, creativity has been a key factor. A great example is the popular Swedish company Ikea: it created an app called Place to show their customers how the furniture they like would look in their homes. The technology scans the place, measures space, and helps users see, accurately, how the objects they like would fit in their kitchens, bedrooms, or living rooms.

Another interesting service is provided by Sephora, the cosmetics giant. They also created an app that works on smartphones and desktops, Visual Artist, and it allows customers to see how the products would look on their skin, in real-time, using AR.

These examples are just a small proof of how, during the past few years, different companies and industries have been developing AR software and technologies to implement popular and disruptive features.

This field will certainly continue to grow and we will see more interesting augmented reality services, products, and marketing strategies in the tech industry.

Far-UVC Light – How It Kills Airborne Viruses

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Far-UVC Light – How It Kills Airborne Viruses

Most viruses are airborne. This means that pathogens can be transmitted through the air over time and distance by small particles. The relevant pathogens generate aerosol particles or droplets that may spread by breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, spraying liquids, or even toilet flushing. Inhalation of these pathogens can affect a person’s respiratory system and the rest of the body.

The most direct approach to limit airborne transmission is to inactivate pathogens within a short time of their production. A recent study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center has shown that exposure to a particular wavelength of ultraviolet light kills more than 99.9% of seasonal viruses present in airborne droplets.

So how exactly does the UV light work?

Ultraviolet (UV) Light

Ultraviolet, or UV Light exposure, has been used as a direct antimicrobial approach for years now. Scientists have shown its effectiveness against different strains of airborne viruses. The most common type of UV light used for germicidal applications is a low-pressure mercury-vapor arc lamp. This lamp emits around 254 nm, which is enough to disinfect unoccupied spaces such as empty hospital rooms or empty subway cars.

In recent years, a xenon lamp has been used as it emits a broad UV spectrum, which is even more effective. However, both of these conventional UVC light sources are carcinogenic and can be a health hazard to the eyes and skin.

Far-UVC Light

By contrast, the far-UVC light emits from 207 to 222 nm. The study at Columbia University has shown that these wavelengths do not cause human health issues, but are as effective as conventional UV light at killing microorganisms. The reason for this is that far-UVC light has a range of less than a few micrometers. In other words, it cannot reach the sensitive living human cells in the skin or the eyes as it is strongly absorbed by proteins through the peptide bond and other biomolecules.

But due to the size of viruses and the strength of wavelengths, UVC light can still target and destroy the molecular bonds that hold together the DNA of viruses. This also includes the infamous “superbugs,” which have developed a stronger resistance to conventional treatment methods such as antibiotics.

In the study, the researchers used a misting device to aerosolize two common coronaviruses. The aerosols were then flown through the air and in front of a far-UVC lamp. After the exposure, the researchers found that more than 99.9% of the exposed virus had been killed by the light. Based on these results, the researchers have come with an estimated time of needed UVC light exposure:

•    It takes about 8 minutes to kill 90% of airborne viruses;

•    It takes about 11 minutes to kill 95% of airborne viruses;

•    It takes about 16 minutes to kill 99% of airborne viruses;

•    It takes about 25 minutes to kill 99.9% of airborne viruses.

The key advantage of far-UVC light is its effectiveness in killing all types of viruses, regardless of drug resistance or toxic chemicals. Even if a new strain of a virus appears, the variation in UVC efficiency will be marginal. And seeing how far-UVC light has no health risks for humans, it may be a feasible and safe solution in occupied public indoor spaces.

In combination with other protective measures, it can drastically reduce the transmission of diseases in schools, gyms, hospitals, public transports, stations, restaurants, offices, and other places where people gather in large numbers.

Digital Banking 2020 Changes To Simplify Our Day-To-Day

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Digital Banking 2020 Changes To Simplify Our Day-To-Day

With the rise of technology and ease of access on smartphones and tablets, digital banking has proven to be a lucrative development opportunity in the financial world. As time progresses, there is a clear push towards digital banking transformation from both the clients and the banking industry.

Digital banking has the potential to ensure the satisfaction of end-users, increase security and stability, and make transactions easier than ever. With more and more people being interested in this new technology, companies and banks around the globe have started implementing, improving, and developing new ideas to make e-banking a reality.

What is digital banking?

Digital banking, also called online or e-banking, is part of a broader move to digitalize banking services and make them accessible over the internet. The shift from traditional banking is still ongoing, and currently, around 70% of the world population uses some form of digital banking. The aim is to allow for high levels of process automation and web-based services to deliver banking products and provide transactions. It provides the ability for users to access financial data at any time and any place via desktops, mobile phones, or ATM services. This can save customers and the bank a lot of time and money. Other major benefits of digital banking are:

•    Business efficiency

•    Cost savings

•    Increased accuracy

•    Greater agility

•    Enhanced security

•    Improved competitiveness

Major digital banking trends in 2020

Blockchain data management started as a means to track cryptocurrency exchange, but later on, it found its place in a plethora of industries and cloud platforms. It has a unique system of data tracking and information management, which makes it a very viable way to increase the digital banking safety of clients across the globe. In 2020, more and more banks implement blockchain as a means for a safer and more transparent transaction market, allowing stakeholders and clients to utilize banking platforms to their fullest.

Mobile-only banking experienced a significant rise in recent years. People with smartphones find it much easier to access their financial records, pay bills, and transfer funds with just a few clicks. The rise of mobile banking led to a development opportunity and aspiration to create mobile banking platforms that will cater to all day-to-day needs.

No-card transactions are another step in securing the safety of clients and making transactions easier and quicker. Even though cards are considered to be safe, there is still a possibility for illegitimate account access. Pioneers of digital banking aim to carry out transactions and purchases via QR codes and other no-card means. This will allow clients to conduct business without the need to rely on physical cards.

Biometric identification will make a big mark on the FinTech industry in the near future. Due to the rise of the cybercriminal, an increasing number of companies are introducing biometric identification to ensure heightened security. Fingerprint, eye scanning, and facial recognition are just some of the possibilities being integrated into mobile banking apps. These are done with exclusive clients’ permissions and would render the laptop or smartphone useless in case it ever gets stolen.

AI-driven banking consists of special AI algorithms and chatbots that aim to help clients transition into online banking. The AI algorithms have proven very capable in recording and notifying the user of any and all access attempts, changes or transactions being made with their account. Experts also believe these AI algorithms can be further improved to monitor and learn user patterns commonly associated with that user, registering them as positive interactions while being suspicious of any other events and actions.

Crowdfunding Platforms – Types of Crowdfunding and Leading Sites in 2020

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Crowdfunding Platforms – Types of Crowdfunding and Leading Sites in 2020

Every new idea needs proper funding. Raising capital for a business venture can prove to be a major obstacle for all entrepreneurs. While bank loans and pitching to traditional investors is still very much an option, it takes a lot of time, effort, and paperwork.

The development of technology in the 21st century has enabled a rise of a new type of financing called crowdfunding. Through online platforms, crowdfunding allows soliciting support from the local or even global crowd. Individuals collectively invest in an idea to make it a reality. Small businesses can take advantage of this financial boost to get early-stage support and eventually grown into an empire.

There are typically three types of crowdfunding:

• Reward crowdfunding: funds are raised by reaching out to supporters who receive a small gift or product sample if they pledge a certain amount of money.

• Debt crowdfunding: get a loan and pay it within a specific time frame. This is rather similar to a bank loan, just faster.

• Equity crowdfunding: give a portion of company ownership to the people who provide the necessary funds.
Best crowdfunding platforms in 2020

There are several excellent platforms depending on the cause for gathering funds. These are:

• Kickstarter: best overall

• Indiegogo: second best overall

• Causes: best for non-profits

• Patreon: best for creators

• GoFundMe: best for personal fundraising

• CircleUp: best for equity crowdfunding

• LendingClub: best for business loans

Kickstarter

Kickstarter is one of the biggest and best platforms when it comes to crowdfunding. They are known for helping tech, and creative entrepreneurs fund their projects. Since 2009, the company has raised over $5 billion, with more than 180,000 projects financed. The major part of their success is that every campaign has to be inspected, verified, and approved by Kickstarter first. It is an all or nothing platform, so funds are only paid upon completing the set goals. But this also means that funder’s credit card won’t be charged unless you meet the campaign goals. The fee is 5% on top of processing payment charges per transaction.

Indiegogo

Indiegogo allows people to choose between two options: fixed and flexible funding. Fixed is best used for projects that need a certain amount of money, while flexible is good for campaigns that will benefit from any amount of funds. With fixed funding, all funds are returned to donors if the campaign goal isn’t met. Flexible funding means you will get the funds regardless if you meet the campaign goals or not. The processing fee is 3% and 30 cents per transaction.

Causes

Causes is by far the best and biggest platform focused on gathering funds for social, political, and cultural issues. It is a social network for people who want to make a difference faster and more effectively. It is free of charge for users, as it runs on ads. In addition to collecting funds for a nonprofit cause, individuals can also raise social awareness and point to a specific problem in a country or community. While the platform is not exclusively for nonprofits, it helps you connect easier with likeminded people.

Patreon

Patreon is very popular among YouTubers, podcasters, and bloggers. It allows for a subscription model where patrons regularly contribute a set amount of money every month or per creation. It allows creators to form a strong relationship with fans and deliver exclusive content to their Patreon subscribers. It has a 2.9% fee and 35 cents from each pledge.

GoFundMe

GoFundMe is best for personal fundraising, but also for emergencies and charitable causes. Individuals keep everything they raise, and the platform collects 2.9% processing fee and 30 cents for every donation. However, people based in the US do not pay any fees.

CircleUp

CircleUp is one of the best platforms for entrepreneurs looking to scale up, as opposed to developing their ideas from scratch. You need revenue of at least $1 million to be listed on the site, so the selection process is competitive. It is best used for building a consumer brand and giving the donors a share of your company in return for funds. Most of the people using this platform are accredited investors.

LendingClub

LendingClub provides individuals with a personal loan up to $40,000 and a small business loan up to $500,000. The terms are usually 3 to 5 years, and the interest rate depends on your credit score. In order to register and be approved on the platform, individuals must be at least one year in business, must have $50,000 in annual sales, ownership of at least 20% of business, and no recent bankruptcies.

Your Smart Home Needs Cyber Security, More Than Ever!

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Your Smart Home Needs Cyber Security, More Than Ever!

Technology continues to surprise us with its array of advancements – from high-end gadgets that could talk back to us to smart devices and smart homes. All one needs to do is make a few gestures to enable the technology function as intended. Want to order a cake? Alexa, please order a mini black-forest cake for me? Simple.

That’s not all, smart homes are a new rage. Undoubtedly, they are highly convenient and comfortable. And why not? Most (if not all) devices are connected to the internet and can be controlled with just a few taps and clicks here and there.

Not in the room? No worries. Lights will be switched off automatically. The garage door can open on its own on detecting your car. And the examples are endless.

While all this sounds great and all, smart homes are in dire need of cybersecurity. This is all thanks to the readily available data, which if accessed by the wrong hands, can have serious repercussions.

No, IoT Devices and Smart Homes Are Not Immune To Hacking

Let’s admit that crucial data is not limited to phones and customers anymore. More sensitive information can be obtained through your smart home and IoT devices– from your activities, and daily routines.

It is not rocket science for a hacker to find out the time when you leave the home and when you are back. Or even worse, to spy on your camera. The vulnerabilities are endless. What if a cybercriminal accesses your smart thermostat data and studies the pattern to figure out when you are home? Or what if someone accesses the information that you shared with Alexa?

A 2017 report published by Symantec revealed that at the times of peak activity, an average IoT device got compromised once every two minutes. And you thought they are secure?

As a matter of fact, IoT devices are prone to get compromised, also because of the Wi-Fi vulnerability. Cybercriminals can hack your WiFi connections, and get quick access to all the devices operating on it.

IoT devices are just another opportunity for hackers to intrude into their personal lives. Want to see how easy it is? Hackers can trigger DDoS attacks by making the most out of thousands of unsecured devices. They can play with your IT infrastructure, make a server go down, and jeopardize your IoT networks, and threaten lives.

To bring this more into perspective, let’s have a look at the worst IoT hacking vulnerabilities that we have witnessed so far.

IoT Hacking and Vulnerabilities We Have Witnessed So Far

The Mirai Botnet

This is perhaps one of the largest DDoS attacks that shook the IoT industry in October 2016. A service provider Dyn was attacked. An IoT botnet was used as a medium. The attack was so massive that a large portion of the internet went down, including CNN, Twitter, Reddit, and Netflix.

The IoT botnet was infected with a malware called Mirai. As a result, involved computers continually kept searching the internet for detecting vulnerable IoT devices and used default usernames and passwords to login. They further infected these devices with malware, and the rest is history.

The Owlet Baby Heart Monitor

Owlet baby heart monitor was launched in the market with honest intentions of alerting guardians when their babies experience heart troubles. But this IoT device had its vulnerabilities – it could be crippled by a sinister party, all thanks to its embedded computing.

The connectivity element made them hack-able and if developers don’t take appropriate steps to take care of this at the hardware layers, we will keep coming across unfortunate stories.

Home Network Accessed Through Router

This one left us appalled. This happened in 2018. VPNFilter malware ended up infecting more than half a million routers in more than 50 countries. The application was malicious enough to install malware onto devices and systems connected to the router. What’s more, it was also able to block network traffic and collect your passwords.

The Webcam Hack

TRENDnet is a popular name when it comes to offering cameras. The company launched its range of cameras, called SecurView Cameras for a range of needs like home security and baby monitoring.

However, their cameras had a major loophole – it let anyone with the IP address of the camera look through it, and listen as well.

Things Can Get Much Worse

According to experts, IoT devices will become more popular by 2025 as there will be more than 75 million connected IoT devices. More IoT devices would mean more opportunities for hackers.

This is why it is highly recommended to keep your home network safe. Research properly before purchasing a smart home device. Also, make sure to change their default username and password– while this seems to be an obvious step, an estimated 15% of IoT owners do not do that.

Further, you must keep your smart home devices updated with the latest version of the software. Although connected devices bridge a huge gap in our lives, they also make us more prone to cyber crimes and attacks. This is why both IoT consumers and manufacturers must exercise the best cyber security mechanisms to stay on top of any such threats.

What you should consider before getting a web hosting service

4i-mag team
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What you should consider before getting a web hosting service

If you are planning on creating a new website, you probably are exploring your hosting options and researching the best alternatives in this growing market—which  is expected to be worth 76.2 billion by 2023. However, before deciding among the leading web hosting services, you should take into consideration a few aspects to help you make an educated choice.

Not every new website has the same needs. Do you want to create an online shop to sell products? Do you want a simple and visually appealing blog? Do you expect a lot of traffic? Where is your main audience located? Besides having a clear understanding and projection of your goals for your new website, you should study carefully the main hosting features.

Usually, the key features for each service provide the deciding information you’ll need to  answer the main questions everyone has before creating a new website. Here’s a quick guide to learning what they mean and what to keep in mind:

Hosting location

A good internet connection is usually sufficient for  visiting any website. However, it may be important to consider the physical location of  a hosting company’s servers. The way information travels through the web could affect your site’s speed: the closer the server is to your target audience, the faster they will be able to receive your information or refresh for updates. A fast website translates to more engagement, better positioning in search engines, and more exposure overall.

Price

Of course, price is one of the main concerns of every business and website owner. There is a wide range of prices available in the market, but you should pay attention to fine print. Some hosting services look very cheap and promising at first, but next-year’s renewal can end up being more expensive than most competitor hosting services. Others show monthly prices instead of annual prices , so  you should make sure to make a proper comparison before signing-up.

Likewise, there are free options available—some very popular— with limitations, of course, but provide an interesting alternative for those who just need a simple blog or landing page, without much importance on the URL. However, if you want your own domain and control over your content, be wary of free web hosting services you can find online.

Specialties and reputation

Besides verifying that your potential web hosting provider has good reviews and a reliable reputation, you should also bear in mind what kind of businesses choose them and what special features make them stand out.

For example, there are hosting services that provide online store templates, integration with different payment methods, and simple tools for creating shopping carts. This can be great help for getting started with an e-commerce business, especially for those who don’t have experience creating online stores and want to try doing it themselves.

Bandwidth and storage

To maintain your data online you will need ample space from your hosting service. Usually, 5G of disk storage—a popular offer in the market— is more than enough for most sites. The bandwidth refers to the visits your site will be able to support, in general most webpage requirements are low. Annoyingly, many companies apply confusing marketing strategies to these promos or bundles.

Securing 1G of storage likely is enough for a website that will get around 1,000 visits a month. However, a lot of hosting services promise “unlimited” or “unmetered” space that you might not even need. Also consider that the cheapest hosting services are shared-hosting services. This means that your website will share space alongside other sites and although it is common industry practice, there are more security risks.

Security

In 2019,  around $3.5 billion dollars were lost to cybercrime around the globe. Your website’s safety should be one of your top concerns when comparing which basic security measures hosting services offer. A good hosting service should provide an SSL certificate —safe protocol encryption to protect your data—, help you create backups for your information and use firewalls to protect your website against cyber-attacks, malware, excessive spam, and DDoS.

Support

The best laid plans can go astray… In case something doesn’t go as planned or you need quick guidance in resolving an issue, quality customer support is essential. Knowing that you will get the help you need and on time will give you peace of mind for the long term.

Final words

Buying a web hosting service involves a long-term relationship with a web hosting company, the motor behind your presence online. This is not an easy decision and there are many tempting options online.

Before picking a web hosting service, make sure you are choosing the best option for your website, that provides all the main features your site needs, besides the essential safety and support alternatives that will back you reliably for the future.

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