Google Trips deprecated

Got a notification this morning that Google Trips will be retired in couple of months. If you are reading this later, the app would already be pulled down. I have tried Google Trips sometime back and I was actually thinking about using it in total for my next trip. Unfortunate it is being pulled down. 

I went through the links and Google states that most Trips app functions are now integrated in Google Maps. Personally, I have been using Google Maps to drop pins and save places to visit, Apple Calendar to schedule trips, Apple Notes to track my travel checklist and keep all related documents in iCloud or Google drive. 

Considering that amount of information floating around, it becomes very convenient to have all information stored in one place for easy access. I thought Google Trips was the one meant for this, in vein. 

What is QR Code?

QR Code stands for Quick Response Code. It is a type of barcode that has become very popular to access website links and quick information. These are widely displayed in stores or posted online. Look for a square shaped matrix. One can use a smart phone to scan the QR code using the camera and open the link, as the name suggests the response is quick.

Just like hyperlinks in websites make it easer to click and navigate to another page or site, QR Codes make it easier to scan and navigate to a designated link. 

Some old phones are not geared to understand QR Code and a special barcode scanner software may be required. Most recent phones recognize QR code matrix and will prompt for further action. 

QR Code is commonly used to open a website URL, Map location, contact card, social media link, open a pdf (via link), show an event info, display product info or catalog, quick link to photo album etc. 

Some more details without being too technical - QR Codes are either Static or Dynamic. Static means that the generated code will always show the same information. Dynamic means that the generated code can later be altered to change the information. This is handled through the link that is connected with the QR Code. 

Here is an example a QR Code that points to www.whoatemywords.com site. Open your camera app and point it to this one. If applicable, it will prompt you for opening the link in your phone’s default browser.

Disable Navigation Bar (Navbar) on Blogger.com site

It is very simple. Head to the admin panel settings and just disable it.

My first at Amazon Books store

For most folks visiting New York, definitely there are wonderful attractions all around the city - some nostalgic, some iconic, some challenge our perspective and imagination.

For me, one of the must go on my list was the physically existing Amazon Books retail store.

I know Amazon as an online company with whatever I do with them is on Internet. Never though I would make it to a physical book store owned by Amazon.

Upbeat and Elated. I picked up a bunch of printed kid titles while I was there.

If you are an avid reader and hooked on to Amazon services, put this one on your must do list as well. Best.

Fullform of Oracle?

What is the fullform of Oracle (for Oracle Corporation)?

Oracle used to be an early era computer and stood for "Oak Ridge Automatic Computer and Logical Engine". This is however not connected with the Oracle Corporation we know today. Oracle Corporation got its name from a failed defense project that Larry, Ed and Bob (the initial founders) worked on. Check Wikipedia for more details.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ORACLE_%28computer%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_Corporation

Apple Pay availability in Browsers

Apple pay on Apple devices is well supported on Safari Browser. However there is no support on Firefox, could be the same case for other browsers as well (as of this post). I am not sure if there is an implied restriction from Apple to not release it for other browsers, or the site creators are not interested in using the APIs to call in non-safari browser (which seems very unlikely).