Amazon App Store – Techthirsty

Posted By: Ava 0 Comment Amazon App Store, Amazon MP3 Store, amazon prime, amazon tablets, Android Tablets, Kindle Bookstore, Kindle Fire Tablet, New Kindle Fire

Amazon is all set to refresh its range of tablets with the new Kindle Fire. The new detailing has been provided and fresh new specs have been added to the upcoming tablet.

The company has received immense success with its Kindle Fire Tablets. Though Amazon never revealed the number of devices it sold but their tablets are the highest sold Androids in the market. The tablets include Amazon App Store, Amazon Prime, Amazon MP3 Store and Kindle Bookstore. The company is all set to launch another generation in the next few weeks.

As per BGR reports, the new Kindle Fire will support a 7-inch screen with HD display of 1920×1200 pixel resolution. It will be powered by a Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with Adreno 330 graphics and RAM of 2 GB. It will come with choice of internal storage of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. It will also possess a front facing camera and is programmed to run on the new version of Android Jelly Bean version 4.2.2.

Kindle Fire tablet will support connectivity via Wi Fi, Bluetooth, 4G LTE and GPS. Reports claim that the tablet will have an improved build. It will be thinner, sleeker and lighter to hold and carry. The tablet will make its debut till late September and may steal cutomers of new Google Nexus 7,… Read the rest

CODING: An Ocean Of Opportunities For Women

October 17, 2017 Mahima Sharma Comments Off

Some years back, knowing how to operate a computer was enough. Technology as it stands today has become the epicentre of all subjects. For the purpose of study, work, manufacturing, medicine or more, technology has become an integral part. Products and services surrounding technology have become mainstream and tech companies have become the industry giants. But something is amiss. Despite the fact that women are consuming massive amount of internet time these days, they aren’t contributing enough to create the same online space. Young girls shy away from coding because it is assumed to be a male-dominated sphere.

Why not think the other way round? Why not make-a-mark in a space that’s unexplored? Scientific facts prove that women are more creative and productive when it comes to mental labour. We did some research and brainstorming with a few eminent people from across the world of coding to find out “Why coding is an ocean of opportunities for women”.

1. Coding = New Literacy, Global Language

995 million native Mandarin speakers, 405 million Spanish worldwide and 360 million English speakers – all stand united by one language…the language of technology. Backbone of the world that finds driving every facet of our life. Smartphones, TV, cars and for that matter even this article that you are reading needed a bit of coding. In short, coding means a creative solution to all our technical needs.

Garima Jain, Senior Android Engineer, Fueled, New Delhi takes joy in informing, “I was always fascinated by what computers could do. It’s beautiful how a few lines of alphabets, backed by a software, can accomplish anything we want. With coding we can experience, build anything which would otherwise be really tough if we try to achieve the same in any other domain.” (sic)

2. Massive Job Opportunities

The Oxford Martin Institute’s ‘The Future of Employment’ study reveals that 47% percent of jobs which exist today will succumb to machines in the decade. So why not harness an understanding of code and technology, along with upgrading creative skills to build a safe career? Tech jobs have seen a steady rise in the last decade, since coding is required in every field…be it art, medicine, science or education. Non-technical jobs have not experienced the same meteoric rise.

Amit Garg, Director, Devoir Technologies asserts, “Coding is a profession which not only gives girls the desired independence, but also a safe career option. You can even continue from home if you are on a sabbatical for maternity or any other reason. Also, as an IT entrepreneur, who deals with coders on daily basis, I have found that women coders have more concentration and stability.”

Samantha Neil, a web-coder from the USA says, “If you think logically then coding is just the right space for you. Coding means change and this change drives technology, which in-turn drives the world. Every passing year most of us buy a new smartphone because technology is evolving. This evolution needs better codes, more coders. So the career graph moves only upwards.” Unlike Garima, who is an engineer, Samantha learnt coding online sitting at home after her first child. Today she works from home, drawing a better pay-cheque than her husband.

3. Boosts Entrepreneurial Prospects

A majority of new start-ups are being set-up by professionals who are coders. Because they can get there faster without anyone’s help. Saves both time and money, even if you need assistance at a higher level.

Nilesh Ukey, Director Operations, Nickelfox, New Delhi informs, “With time, more women are turning entrepreneurs and creating amazing products which keep pushing-up the limits of innovation. And this generates a need to know how to code since coding skills come handy to launch innovations into the world.” Ukey and his team worked with an all-women team to develop the Lily App. It is a ‘Perception & Empathy Engine’ based app that lets women users find and purchase clothes that fit their body type, all from inside a chatroom. Today it is listed in the Forbes Magazine. So imagine how high the entrepreneurial prospects for women are.”

4. Coding: NOT A Boys-Only Zone, NOT TOUGH

Neither is it a boy-only zone, nor is it tough to learn. Garima is happy to inform, “In my journey of 4 years in technology, I have only met great co-workers. Gender bias might be prevalent at some places, but then not every company is the same. Think beyond the box and you can definitely find a company which will help shape your career in the right way.”

Talking from the “tough career option” point of view, Nilesh Ukey, who is also an IIT engineer, asserts, “The stigma, that acquiring coding skill has a huge learning curve, is a myth. One needs to starts from the basics of OOP (Oriented Programming). Believe me only that is needed to work up the coding skill ladder. Knowing design patterns would be cherry on the cake. Once those are in place, choose any language with excites you and start building your career on it.” (sic)

And if you still think coding is tough then you are surely unaware that most of the programmers these days write in high-level languages like Python (a computer programming language). It is easier than the algorithm classes you attended in Class 12. The hard work goes in learning Syntax, which are the rules of a programming language. But then isn’t some hard work required in every career option?

5. Coding is the IN-THING!

Once you learn how to code, it’s absolute fun and helps you to express in multi-million creative ways. Go as far as you can imagine. Design games, make smartphone apps, create blogs… in short churn the wildest of idea you have, into reality!

Nilesh advocates, “Even basic knowledge of coding is enough to sail through many online tools available to create amazing pilot projects.”

6. Women Have the Edge

It is widely recognised that women are a largely untapped market in technology, whether product-development or product-creation. This new wave of opportunity can be harnessed successfully by a woman since she better understands the requirements of her counterparts.

Garima Jain gives the parting shot, “If you have come so far reading this, then it is the best career for you like me! Also, there is no age or time to start how to code. Start now. I would love to see more women join me in coding world.

Amit Garg seconds Garima and wraps up urging, “I recommend coding to women. Dream big since technology from here will only go upwards. As we say ‘Sky is the Limit’…so leap to the horizon!”

Mahima Sharma, Columnist TechThirsty

Author is former News Editor CNN-News18 & ANI (a collaboration with Reuters)

Are you a technology professional who loves her job? Write to us and share your story to editorial@techthirsty.com.

… Read the rest

How Many Women Have Posted #MeToo On Your Timeline?

Financial technology company CommonBond is launching a ‘Women in Tech’ week in New York City on 10 October, 2017 to celebrate women who take up technology-based job roles. The idea is to “encourage women to pursue technology careers”. According to the National Centre for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT), 26% of the computing jobs available in the US in 2016, were held by women. About 20% women held Fortune 100 Chief Information Officer (CIO) positions at the same time.

Clearly, a lot needs to be done if we want to have more women in the technological workspace. CommonBond is taking one step towards that goal with the Women in Tech Week, which will be on till October 15. They will recognize the contributions of women in technology and create ways to provide support to create a generation of women leaders in technology.

Speaking of the event, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Women in Tech Week will ensure attendees can access valuable information to help advance their careers while also encouraging the next generation of women leaders to pursue careers in the industry.”

women in technology

The Women in Tech Week is structured with three key elements.

1. Whitepaper on what women want in the tech workplace

A survey of more than 600 women working in tech roles was conducted. The aim of this survey was to identify how companies can attract and retain women in their workplace. The research found that for technology-based companies to attract more women, they need to have more women in leadership roles, enable long-term career planning processes, provide appropriate training and offer more opportunities for professional growth.

2. Create social media campaign to create future women leaders

CommonBond partnered with Girls Who Code to help fund the next generation of women technologists. The fintech company is running a competition on the Girls Who Code social media pages with the hashtag #2017WITW. Proceeds generated as a result of these social media posts will be used to provide scholarships to school girls who want pursue a career in technology.

3. Hosting a female founders event

The aim of this event would be to encourage women in tech. This would be conducted on 10 October, which is Ada Lovelace Day. This holiday celebrates the achievements of women in STEM. Women who have founded tech-based companies would share their stories with students and professionals.