Technology, in all its glory, has been around to make people’s lives easier. However, despite all the greatness that comes with technology, the world has been using it for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, there are some startups working toward making the world a better place by using technology for the good, rather than the bad. Here are a couple of green tech startups making things better, one project at a time!
1. HelpUs Green
Based out of Kanpur and founded in the year 2015, HelpUs Green was founded with the sole aim of saving the Ganges. Through the startup, the founders (Ankit Agarwal and Karan Rastogi) are working at collecting the waste strewn in and around the mosques and temples of Uttar Pradesh. Post collection, the startup works at recycling and reusing the collected waste in a manner beneficial to the environment. This startup has helped protect over 1,200 rural families in the area by giving them a way of life. Till date, HelpUs Green has worked to prevent close to 1,000 kg of toxic pesticides, insecticides and chemical waste from filtering and festering in the Ganges. Furthermore, the startup has also helped improve the lifestyle of the women in these villages by leaps and bounds, giving them a new lease of life with whatever they do.
2. Gram Power
Launched in the year 2010 by Yashraj Khaitan and Jacob Dickinson, Gram Power provides cutting edge smart grid technology to address the growing electricity concerns in the country. From setting up India’s first Solar Powered Smart Microgrid in Khareda Lakshmipura (Rajasthan,) to now providing energy for light bulbs, buttermilk churners, television and fans to over 30 remote areas across rural India, Gram Power is working at improving the country’s electricity situation by using renewable energy sources!
3. Husk Power Systems
It is often said the real secret to energy lies in the countryside. Unfortunately, because of the severe lack of facilities in the area, these resources are largely left untapped. Husk Power Systems, a startup based out of Bihar, realised this gap between resources and technology and decided to work on what was available and set out to improve the situation. By using a biomass gasifier for electricity generation, each of the plants owned by this startup is currently helping over 400 households in rural areas. Not only does Husk Power Systems save over 18,000 liters of diesel and 42,000 liters of kerosene, this startup has worked at improving the health and living conditions of people in inaccessible areas.
4. Chakr Innovation
Launched in the year 2016 by Arpit Dhupar, Kushagra Srivastava and Prateek Sachan, Chakr Innovation is a unique startup in more ways than one. The group of friends came together when they realised pollution could be curbed in a safe and economical way. By creating the Chakr Shield, Chakr Innovation aims at removing diesel soot from generators and converts the removed soot to inks and paints. Not only does this help in reducing the amount of waste, it also helps in clearing up extremely disastrous pollution.
5. Digital Green
Digital Green, a not for profit organisation, works with organisations and technology in an attempt to help improve the health, nutrition and agriculture situations of the rural areas. From creating interactive videos to building platforms that foster growth to creating an improved standard of living for these people, Digital Green has worked since its inception to improve the world around them, one village at a time!
It is worth appreciating the efforts when technology is used to benefit the world, rather than harm it and these startups are doing exactly that! If you know any other startups doing the same, comment and let us know!
Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Teen Accounts” to enhance the safety and well-being of its younger users. This initiative aims to address growing concerns among parents and guardians about the potential risks associated with social media use among teenagers.
Understanding Teen Accounts
Teen Accounts are automatically assigned to users under 18 years old and come with built-in safety features. These accounts are designed to provide a more secure online experience for teenagers by protecting them from inappropriate content and unwanted interactions while giving parents more control over their teens’ social media activities.
Key Features of Teen Accounts
Default Private Settings: All Teen Accounts will be set to private by default, requiring teens to approve follower requests and ensuring that only people they know can see their content.
Messaging Restrictions: Teens can only receive messages from accounts they follow or are already connected to, limiting the risk of unwanted contact from strangers.
Sensitive Content Filtering: Teen Accounts will automatically have the most restrictive content settings, filtering out sensitive material such as violent videos or posts promoting cosmetic procedures to create a safer browsing experience.
Hidden Words Feature: Instagram’s anti-bullying tool, Hidden Words, will be activated by default on Teen Accounts, filtering out offensive comments and messages to help reduce cyberbullying.
Time Management Tools: Teens will receive reminders after using the app for over an hour, encouraging them to take breaks. A sleep mode will mute notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM, promoting healthier usage habits.
Parental Controls: Parents can monitor their teen’s messaging activity over the past week without accessing the actual messages. They can also set daily time limits for app usage and block access during specific hours.
Parental Oversight
The introduction of Teen Accounts gives parents greater oversight of their children’s social media interactions. By enabling parental supervision features, parents can approve or deny changes to account settings, view topics their teens are exploring on Instagram, and set daily time limits for app usage. This level of control is designed to reassure parents that their teens are engaging with age-appropriate content and are protected from potential online dangers.
Implementation Timeline
Instagram began rolling out Teen Accounts on September 17, 2024, starting with users in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Existing accounts for users under 18 will transition to Teen Accounts within the next 60 days, and the rollout will extend to other regions, including the European Union, later this year and into early 2025.
Conclusion
Instagram’s new Teen Accounts represent a significant step towards ensuring the safety of younger users on social media platforms. With enhanced privacy settings, content filtering, and parental controls, these accounts aim to create a more secure environment for teenagers while allowing parents to stay informed about their children’s online activities. As social media continues to play a crucial role in young people’s lives, initiatives like these are essential in fostering safe and responsible usage. Parents should familiarize themselves with these features and engage in conversations with their teens about safe social media practices.
Apple has recently pulled the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models following a wave of complaints from users who reported that their devices became bricked after installing the software. This decision comes just a day after the update was made available, highlighting significant issues that have rendered some iPads unresponsive.
The Rollout of iPadOS 18
On September 16, 2024, Apple launched iPadOS 18, which introduced several new features, including customizable home screens, a calculator app for the first time on the iPad, and enhanced note-taking capabilities. However, shortly after the rollout, many M4 iPad Pro owners began reporting serious problems. Users took to platforms like Reddit and Apple’s Discussion Forums to share their experiences of devices that turned off during the update process and failed to power back on.
One user recounted their experience: “I just took it to the Apple Store, who confirmed it’s completely bricked,” indicating that they would need to send the device to engineers for assessment before receiving a replacement, despite having AppleCare. This frustration was echoed by numerous other users facing similar issues.
Apple’s Response
In light of these complaints, Apple has temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models and has stopped signing the firmware files necessary for restoring these devices. While Apple has not publicly acknowledged the full extent of the problem, they confirmed they are working to resolve it. Notably, other devices are still able to download and install the update without incident, suggesting that the issue is isolated to specific models.
User Experiences
Affected users reported various scenarios leading up to their devices becoming bricked. Some noted that their iPads were fully charged and connected to power during the update process but still encountered failures. Attempts to recover their devices using recovery mode or connecting them to a computer yielded no positive results, leaving many frustrated and seeking assistance from Apple Support.
Community Reactions
The community response has been overwhelmingly critical of Apple’s quality assurance processes. Many users expressed disappointment over experiencing such severe issues with a brand-new device. Comments highlighted concerns about whether adequate testing was conducted prior to releasing the update. Some users even compared their experiences unfavorably with Android devices, stating that they had never encountered such critical failures during updates on other platforms.
Looking Ahead
As of now, Apple has not provided a timeline for when iPadOS 18 will be re-released for M4 iPad Pro models or what specific measures will be implemented to address these issues. Users are advised to refrain from installing the update until further notice and are encouraged to contact Apple Support if they experience problems.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of iPadOS 18 for M4 iPad Pro models underscores the challenges tech companies face in ensuring software reliability across diverse hardware configurations. As Apple works to rectify this situation, affected users are left navigating uncertainty regarding their devices’ functionality and future updates. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough testing in software development and maintaining user trust in technology companies.
As Apple rolls out the much-anticipated iOS 18 today, it’s important to ensure your device is ready for the update. This guide outlines the necessary steps to prepare your iPhone for a smooth installation of iOS 18, which promises to enhance customization and introduce several new features.
1. Verify Device Compatibility
Before proceeding, confirm that your iPhone is compatible with iOS 18. The update will be available for the following models:
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
2. Free Up Storage Space
iOS 18 requires approximately 6.98 GB of available storage. To ensure a smooth installation, check your storage by navigating to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Delete unused apps, photos, and files. Consider offloading photos to iCloud to create additional space.
3. Back Up Your Data
Backing up your iPhone is crucial before any major update. Use iCloud or connect your device to a computer with iTunes/Finder to create a backup. This protects your data in case of any issues during the update process.
4. Check App Compatibility
Some apps may not be immediately compatible with iOS 18. Check for updates from app developers or consider waiting a few days after the update to ensure your essential apps function correctly.
5. Ensure a Stable Wi-Fi Connection and Charge Your iPhone
A stable Wi-Fi connection is essential for downloading the update. Additionally, ensure your iPhone is charged to at least 50% before starting the installation to avoid interruptions.
6. Wait for Early Reviews
If you’re not in a rush, consider waiting a few days after the initial release to install iOS 18. This allows time for developers to identify and resolve any initial bugs, ensuring a smoother experience.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to install iOS 18 and take full advantage of its new features. Enjoy your updated iPhone experience!