Year: 2018

Video games are not a thing that only highly talented geeks can play. Nowadays, a variety of devices and games share market positions. From those who invest their savings in building the best possible gaming system to those who like to play occasionally and without significant time and money investments, there is something for every type of gamers. Similarly, the games have also evolved to offer a mixture of tactical challenges and involved storylines to satisfy all personalities. In short, technology has changed significantly since the first Atari console. So it’s fair to ask what are the essential gaming devices and more importantly which device is best-suited for which type of gamer. Indeed, the gaming market needs to target traditional gamers who have created their high-tech gaming solution, individuals who like to play on the go but without shopping for parts or tools, and finally innovation-seekers who want to explore new sensations.

Newcomers can start with an everyday tool

For everyone who considers games an enjoyable distraction, the need for investing in gaming technology is low. That’s precisely why a lot of video games are now designed for use on a standard item in modern households: Your phone. Mobile gaming is an accessible interface for new gamers as it doesn’t need you to handle a keyboard or a remote gamepad. With mobile phones, all you need to use is a tool you use every day already, naùely your fingers. Consequently, the experience can feel more relaxing for people who enjoy a playful distraction but don’t want the stress of learning all the possible key combinations for their character. What do you need to keep your smartphone up-to-date? It’s simple: Download the game app and play.

Getting your laptop up to speed

For experienced gamers who prefer to play on their laptop or PC, you need to keep your tech up to speed. As a result, there are devices that have been specifically designed for the gaming industry, such as laptops running VulkanRT as a graphics API. If you don’t know about the  Vulkan runtime library, you can learn more about this video games driver module here. What this means is that gamers need to keep their device updated, from installing the latest graphics card drivers to ensure that they can continue to have access to newer games designed to be played within specific tech requirements, to buying quality keyboard and mouse – as these are submitted to constant use.

Newcomers can start with an everyday tool

For everyone who considers games an enjoyable distraction, the need for investing in gaming technology is low. That’s precisely why a lot of video games are now designed for use on a standard item in modern households: Your phone. Mobile gaming is an accessible interface for new gamers as it doesn’t need you to handle a keyboard or a remote gamepad. With mobile phones, all you need to use is a tool you use every day already, naùely your fingers. Consequently, the experience can feel more relaxing for people who enjoy a playful distraction but don’t want the stress of learning all the possible key combinations for their character. What do you need to keep your smartphone up-to-date? It’s simple: Download the game app and play.

Getting your laptop up to speed

For experienced gamers who prefer to play on their laptop or PC, you need to keep your tech up to speed. As a result, there are devices that have been specifically designed for the gaming industry, such as laptops running VulkanRT as a graphics API. If you don’t know about the  Vulkan runtime library, you can learn more about this video games driver module here. What this means is that gamers need to keep their device updated, from installing the latest graphics card drivers to ensure that they can continue to have access to newer games designed to be played within specific tech requirements, to buying quality keyboard and mouse – as these are submitted to constant use.

Diving inside the game

VR headsets offer a new dimension in gaming by putting the player directly in the middle of the action. While headsets have been on the market for a few years, they are now affordable, both as mobile or tethered options depending on gaming preferences. However, gamers are still cautious whether a headset is the future of gaming. Indeed, new gaming systems include a footpad VR joystick that can control actions such as flying or walking. In short, wait and see before committing to any purchase.

From touchscreen to high-tech gaming installation, it’s hard to know where the game industry will take us. One thing has never been more real though. The innovative gaming approaches open the door to an array of life enhancements outside of a game platform. Using VR sets could let wheelchair users visit new places safely, for instance.

Life is fast paced and ever changing, and to succeed in business you need to be able to move with the times. A business that does fantastic now could easily be made obsolete within a few years, and so looking ahead and being ready to adapt when needed can help to give your company a successful future. Here are a few of the ways you can future proof your business venture.

Invest in an App

All of the big companies of the world have got on board with apps, and know the fantastic things they can do for business. More sales are now made on smartphones and tablets than on laptops and computers, which is something you really can’t afford to ignore as a company owner. Many smaller and medium sized business still haven’t got on board so it’s something you could consider. Sure, your site may be optimised for mobiles- but an app gives far more benefits. An app is stored on the customer’s phone meaning your details are only ever a click of a button away. You can communicate offers or messages via notifications. An app also makes your company look more trustworthy and reliable too, as you have to be verified to get onto the app store. Particularly when you’re a newer or smaller business, convincing customers that you are who you say you are can be tricky. People tend to prefer to stick to the big brands they know and trust, so anything that can persuade them to give you a try is a good thing. In the near future, an app will be as important to a business as a website is now. However right now, you have the chance to get ahead and do what many of your competitors are missing out on. By the time they get on board, you’ll be way ahead.

Stay up to Date on Technological Advances

Technology is ever advancing, and as a business owner it’s important to be on top of these changes. Are there gadgets, programs or technologies that can make your life easier and improve your business? Are there advancements that could render your business obsolete? It’s important to know how to adapt and change if you come up against this. Take internet cafes a couple of decades ago- once widely used and loved. However the advancement of the internet and it becoming widely available in homes could have rendered them obsolete. However smart owners knew that they could continue with their business by targeting a different demographic. These days internet cafes are used by those in poorer people for things like job searches or for internet sessions for older adults where they can meet and use the web. Others have turned them into study zones for students, who may fancy a change of scenery from their laptop at home or in their dorm room. One of the big technological advances these days that could make or break many businesses is 3D printer technology. Using this as an example, is it something that would affect your business- either positively or negatively? If it’s something that could potentially render your products or services useless, how could you adapt and change your business model so that you’re still useful and relevant?

Keep an Eye on Your Competitors

As with technology, you need to be keeping an eye on what your competitors are doing again in case your business ends up obsolete. While of course you need to be focusing on yourself and growing and improving your business, your competitors will be after the same customers as you and so it’s important to know what they’re doing too. Make sure you stay ahead of the game, read customer reviews and take on board criticism and negative reviews in a constructive way. Use this to make changes that will make your company better and please your customers. Conduct market research to make sure your products, pricing and everything else are right. Don’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best, to secure the customers you need you need to be more appealing than your competitors.

Consider Further Education and Training

Even if your business is going well, it doesn’t mean you should get complacent. Further training or education for either you or your staff is important, it helps to future proof your business by ensuring your skills are up to scratch. Do some research, are there courses you could go on, training days or business seminars you could book? Knowledge is power, continue learning and moving forward and then putting plans into action based on what you have learned.

There’s is no getting away from the fact that we now live in a digital world. Unless you live in the depths of a peruvian rainforest, technology has become the norm in our homes, workplaces and leisure pursuits. This is very apparent in the way children now learn in a world that is heavily dependent on technology. It is very different from our own childhoods where technology didn’t extend further than watching a video in the school library!

As parents our role is to provide a good balance of learning through technology and learning through the traditional methods. You can’t really avoid technology, as it’s likely that your child will have homework to complete by using a tablet or laptop. Computer science and IT will also be taught in schools.

Are there any fun ways of introducing technology to young children other than playing video games? This article aims to explore your options.

Coding

Coding allows children to create simple games and programmes. There are many free sources available on the internet to use primarily. There are different coding languages available for children. Scratch is a good platform to use, as it allows building block style interfaces to create games, animations and images.

Looking towards the future, once your child has mastered different coding languages they can progress onto the coding used by software developers. Learning to code can lead children onto a potentially lucrative, sought after and rewarding career pathway.

Robots

Robots are fun and exciting, they also have the benefit of combining technology with science. Children can learn to build robots from kits, which teaches engineering skills or can use robots to learn coding as they input commands. Robots have advanced so much in recent years that some have artificial intelligence, realistic movements and speech recognition. Children can learn how important robots are in areas such as medicine and industry.

Animation

Animation allows people to create movies by taking single frame shots and playing the frames back rapidly.The introduction of animation to children teaches so many skills, relating to art and design, technology, computers and storytelling. It also introduces children to many kinds of media relating to film making, TV and media channels such as youtube. Animation is very popular with adults too and is  an interest you could share as a family. A quick search will provide you with information on the Best Animation Software available to download. There are also plenty of kits available specifically designed with children in mind.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality is very appealing to children as it allows them access to whole new worlds. Virtual reality is important in areas such as medical engineering and industry in a similar way to robots. Virtual reality should be introduced to very young children with close supervision as there are safety aspects. Headsets can be purchased as well as virtual reality books that contain headsets you construct yourself. Apps downloaded on smart phones can allow your child to experience prehistoric worlds, life in the colosseum and what it’s like to live in a space centre.