Google Global Code Jam 2016

Most of the people don’t know that tech giant Google also organizes some great events which bring programmers from round the world together. We are certainly not talking about the frequently organized Android development events where Google releases new iteration of its popular mobile operating system. This is called Google Code Jam, which is essentially a programming competition where professionals as well as students from round the world take part in order to solve some complex algorithmic challenges within a stipulated timeframe.

Origins of Google Code Jam

Currently Google Code Jam is in its 13th year after the launch in 2003. This was started by the Google with an aim of identifying top engineering talents, which can play a huge part in the Google development as one of the iconic technology firm. Google Code Jam 2016 follows the same schedule wherein first of all interested programmers has to enroll through registering in the month of March. Then a Qualification Round is held in the month of April to segregate the best from the rest. This followed by a number of Online Rounds of either two hours thirty minutes to three hours. In this phase programmer grill their way through solving complex algorithmic challenges with a set time limit and their scored are calculated. Each year in the month of August Google organizes the Final event in which winners are announced and even offered a job right at its office.

How tough is Google Code Jam? 

There was even a time when seven problems were not solved in their respective round. It is worth pointing out that no one in the history of Google Code Jam has managed to get perfect score in the finals. Google ensures that problems which are chosen for this event are effectively difficult and hard to crack but there has been an incident of fastest correct submission when Sergie Fedorov of Russia solved the problem within 2 minutes and 41 seconds.

Google allows the participants to use any programming language as well as development environment of their choice to find the solution to the given problems. The only trick is that one has to come up with right solution within the giving time limit.

Prizes to be won at Google Code Jam 2016

It wouldn’t be possible to attract bright minds on a global without offering hefty prize money. Google Code Jam offers cash prizes to the successful participants. The winner of this event goes home with prize money of $15000 while second and a third placed winner gets $2000 and $1000 respectively. Consolation prize of $100 is given to all the participants who finish between 4 -26 places in this event. Participants also get one Code Jam T shirt if they finish among the top scoring 1000 from the Round 2.

Google also offers extensive reimbursement of the expenses made by the participant on the travel, visa, flight, accommodations and meals during the Google Code Jam event.

iPhone Storage Full? Free up Space with These Tricks

Guidance to Free up Space in Devices 

In the present scenario with advanced application and high-end camera developing detailed photos together with quality videos, we often encounter lack of space in our devices. Inspite of huge 64GB storage, models tend to fill up storage very quickly and we are faced with lack of storage space. The following could be helpful on how to clear some space on your device.

1. Know how much space is available 

To know about the spare capacity of the phone and to see which apps have been using the most, one could go to settings app and click on `general’ tab and select `usage’. Your phone, after some calculation will portray a list of apps and how much storage capacity each of them has been utilising. Often photographs tend to take up most of the space.

2. Backup your photos 

The best thing to do is get a backup for photos. If one is using iCloud to backup photos, you could delete them from the camera roll and create more space on your phone and one can depend on iCloud for keeping them safe. A better precaution is to have a backup on a home computer wherein one could delete them one by one or click on select from the camera roll screen, ticking as many as desired and then delete them together.
3. Remove unused apps 

Often unused apps tend to accumulate over a period of time. You could scroll through the menu and check if there are games which are not used, or any apps which do not seem to be of use. On tapping and holding the icon, a small cross will appear towards the top-left. On pressing the cross the app can be deleted, providing more space on your device.

4. Handle your music

To make more space you could delete unwanted albums which could still be available on your computer if the need may arise at a later date. In order to delete music, you could swipe a song from right to left and a `delete’ button will appear.

5. Delete videos after watching them

Videos also tend to take upmore space than albums where a few films could use up several GB of your memory. The best thing is to delete them once the user has viewed them which would help in clearing space on the handset.

6. Files Downloaded to apps to be cleared 

Some of the apps have the capability of downloading files. For instance, iPlayer tends to download programmes which can be viewed later on. It there are videos downloaded which are not needed; you could go to the app and drain them. On checking on the usage list, one will get to know on any apps which could be taking up a large amount of space.

7. Limit podcasts 

Podcasts could be great where new content, tends to get delivered to the phone automatically. However, they could also accumulate quickly. In the podcasts section of the setting, one could tweak a few settings to limit the space that is taken up and under `limit episodes’, opt for only the most recent 2 to 5 episodes. You could opt to automatically delete played episodes.

The Roadmap to Success in JEE Mains - Success StrategiesMantra

As engineering students, you all are already aware the importance of JEE Mains examination. It is the gateway to IITs and NITs, considered as the best institutes for studying engineering in India. There is superstitious belief that it is not easy to crack this examination. But in actual, if you follow punctual, uniform and smart strategies, it is not a hard nut to crack.

Strategies such as provided below if followed religiously are a win-win situation.

1.Patterns of the exam papers:      As we all know that JEE Mains consists of two papers – Paper 1 and   Paper 2. It is important to know them well, regarding the question patterns and negative markings as well.

• Paper 1 has either options to appear online or offline examination format, having questions from Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry with multiple choice questions (MCQs) and objective type questions. The questions are proportionally divided equally among these three subjects. Each of these questions carries 4 marks and for any wrong answer, there is a negative marking. The examination duration is 3 hours. 
• And Paper 2 is for the students who are aiming for Architecture and Planning career. This paper is made up of three parts such as – Mathematics belongs to Part I, AptitudeTest is Part II, and DrawingTest is Part III.

2.Mock Test Practices: It is a necessity to do numerous practices on Mock Test thoroughly without leaving a single questions untried or undone.

• Try analyzing each and every answer every time you are done with a mock test. 
• Try harder to the question you find difficult to answer during the mock test. 
• Give equal importance to all the subjects that are part of JEE Mains examination. 

3. Eating and Sleeping Pattern: Equally important is to have healthy eating habits of good diets like vegetables and fruits that will help you keep healthy and strong during your preparations for the JEE Mains. Also, make sure that you have regular of 6-7 hours of sleep, without having to stay awake during the night.

4.Time Management Practice: Along with mock test, make sure that you need to have the practice to up your time management on the questions.

•  Do make sure that you do not spend more than 4 minutes per question. 
• Make it a habit, so that when you face the actual exam, it will be a common ground for you.

5.Joining A Coaching Class: You can study on your own with strong determination to succeed. But at the same time you will not regret joining a coaching class.

• At the coaching class you will meet like-minded fellow aspirant students, and will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and group discussions. In exchanging knowledge and teaching one another you get to learn more and know where your mistakes are. 
• Also, at the coaching classes, you will get hold of many important study materials which you cannot find easily on the internet or other sources.

6.Regular Study: Make time; chart out a regular timetable to study.

• Make sure that you study regularly every day, without skipping even a day. 
• Study at least 4-5 hours daily but wholeheartedly and with full determination to succeed. There is no meaning even If you study whole day and night or for 13-14 hours if there are no proper arrangements or timetable.

Remember to make hay while the sun shines. For, if you are not giving your best to shine when it is the right time for you, you will forever regret it. So, make the most of the above strategies and success in the JEE Mains is surely on your way.

Apple will Remove Headphone Jack from iPhone 7

Apple Headphones – Handset without Headphone Jack

A rumour regarding the new Apple headphones have been circulating recently and the first images of what seems to be of an iPhone 7 case has emerged online and seems to confirm the rumours that the new handset would be produced without a 3.5mm headphone jack. The images found by reliable tipster @OnLeaks indicate a transparent case having spaces for two equally sized speaker grillers together with the central lightening port signifying Apple would be intending to renovate the design of the bottom edge of the handset.

After reports first came up in early January, the rumours in recent month reveal that the upcoming model would be made one millimetre slimmer on removing the jack. The choice of removing the headphone jack could be a provocative one. Forbes state that `rumours suggest that Apple seems to be working on some pretty impressive technology comprising of a dual-lens system which means the iPhone 7 camera should be comparable to high quality DSLR cameras’. The company would probably include new wireless headphones together with the new handset or a pair of headphone that could connect to the phone via a lightning connector.

Eliminating Plastic Antenna Strips – Reasonable

Taking in account, Apple’s ownership of Beats, this would not be much of an issue. Third parties have been creating lightning connector headphone since June 2014 when Apple had extended its Made-for-iPhone licensing programme.

Besides this, the report also submits that the camera lens of the iPhone 7 would also probably sit in-line with its body and the plastic antenna bands would not stretch across its surface.As per MacRumours, the rear camera would be within the aluminium casing while the antenna bands would be only on the upper and lower edges rather than extending across the width of the handset.

 Apple spectators had been amazed at the decision of the company in permitting the camera on the iPhone 6 to project from its casing, claiming that it was out of character for Apple’s careful design standards as well as exposed the lens to scratching and other damage. Eliminating the plastic antenna strips also seems reasonable.

Features – Touch ID Fingerprint Scanner/12 MP Rear Facing Camera

The company had been granted a patent, last summer, detailing a metal composite capable of replacing the strips that was essential for the antenna of the phone to send and receive signal. The company is also said to be developing a kind of wireless charging that tends to free the iPhone from the need of being placed on a charging mat, which is presently the most commonly used format, as per Bloomberg. But this is doubtful of being incorporated in an iPhone before 2017.

Meanwhile, Apple has been preparing to send invitation to the media world ahead ofthe unveiling of the reported iPhone SE, which is a special edition 4-inch iPhone envisioned to take over from the iPhone 5s as the entry level model of the company. It has been rumoured that the new handset would feature a Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a12 MP rear facing camera, a near field communication – NFC chip which would support Apple Pay. Rumours reveal that the next flagship handset of Apple’s the iPhone 7, would feature various noticeable differences when it will be launched in September.

iPhone SE Puts the Same Engine in a Smaller Exterior

Apple launch event of iPhone SE has not caused the same frenzy as the last year’s iPhone 6S launch. Rumor mills have almost killed the suspense this time by literally offering everything from the size to specifications beforehand. Apple is known to be one of the most secretive companies when it comes to launching of new devices as it tries to hold to the information till the last second.

Most of the users were left wondering by the unique name picked by the Apple for its latest 4 inch iPhone model i.e. SE. SE simply stands for the Special Edition which comes with screen size of just four inches and Apple has lastly released a four inch model four years ago in the name of iPhone 4. This time Apple is trying to woo the customers who are looking for smaller yet powerful devices at a premium range.

Intentions of Apple behind launching smaller iPhone variant

Apple is under extreme competition from the rival manufacture Samsung which has been launching slew of phones tablets at varying sizes on different price points. This has helped Samsung in having product in every price segment and at each screen size. Apple is having a tough time as it have just one iPhone 6 series which has been loved and even hated for its jumbo size. Therefore Apple has to be to bring a new advanced and powerful iPhone which has smaller size and can please the old and new consumers.

Noteworthy features in iPhone SE

iPhone SE offers better battery life than the iPhone 6S almost 30 percent better. All those users who have been slamming and complaining about poor battery life can rejoice at the thought at having better battery life on the iPhone SE.

Apple has priced the powerful and small iPhone SE as the most affordable iPhone at just $400 without a contract. For all those consumers who were looking t buy their first iPhone but couldn’t do so due to premium price point will be able to buy their first Apple smartphone. iPhone SE might be small in size but packs all the features and specification of elder sibling iPhone 6S. The new SE comes loaded with extensive range of popular features like Apple Pay, fingerprint unlocking, Hey Siri digital assistant and Live Photos.

The only thing which was missing in the iPhone SE is the acclaimed 3D Touch. iPhone 6S has a highest selling point with its coveted 3D touch which allowed users to perform different actions on the basis of the pressure applied on the phone’s screen.

A phone you will love to use

iPhone SE is as powerful as the iPhone 6s as it has the same processor which helps this small device to perform multitasking and various other activities with ease and grace. Apple even states that iPhone SE is about 70% more faster at opening apps, processing things as well as other tasks than iPhone 6S.