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. 

Apple sign-on feature mandatory

Apple is forcing developers to include Apple sign-on option where likes of Google and Facebook are offered in apps on it's ecosystem.

Apple owns the Apple ecosystem, period. While healthy tradelaws will curb any kind of monopolization and manipulation that negatively affects consumers, it does not prevent creation of authorities that control market segments. The giants will not be here if this would not be the case. And yes we consumers want to see them around because they are vital for our digital existence now. Talk about mutually beneficial relationship. Now in course or such existence, the provider could force use of certain alternatives to further enhance it's ecosystem and command more market segment. Apple sign-on is such a push.

My personal view - Apple's sign-on feature will be trusted by millions of consumers just like their other offerings.  However the idea of upfront imposing it with a deadline is not just. That said, developers will follow suit for above reason. 

Fitbit Versa bricked

In a series of device failure this year, my Fitbit Versa wasn't spared. The display malfunctioned and I had to seek support from Fitbit directly to get this sorted. All ends well.

iPhone Xs WiFi failure

My iPhone Xs conked at the start of this year. WiFi got disabled and other signals struggled to keep up. Apple support got it sorted for me. Here is a video on what all I did before approaching Apple Genius Bar support. I was fortunate that the phone was about 2 months old and still covered in the initial purchase warranty. 

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.

Nokia Lumia 1020 old school phone I miss the most

If Nokia Lumia 1020 is brought back to life with latest software support, I would be the first to grab it. It's unfortunate that the Windows ecosystem and this tech went downwards.

My Devices Stash

I realized how addicted I am to devices and no matter what I try, I land up getting one or more periodically, all for curiosity sake. Off late, this is getting out of hand. So there is room for improvement.. It calls for all out ban on my purchases and clearing of my old stash.

My Daily Driver Laptops

These two (MacBook Pro and Pixelbook) are getting most of my time. I do most of my activities on these. Both are excellent in supporting their eco system. Unfortunately, I find it difficult to access Apple services on another non-apple platform. I can always use a browser to access any of the services, but it is tedious.

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).

Dark mode in MacOS Mohave 10.14

A walkthrough on the dark mode feature in MacOS Mohave and its impact on different apps.