Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

General

Must-Have iOS Travel Apps for the Summer Season

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

As we approach the summer travel season, I wanted to share some useful iOS travel apps I keep on my devices. 

Skiplagged (Free)

By finding "hidden city" fares, Skiplagged is a unique flight search engine that can uncover deeply discounted airfares. It searches for cheaper routes where the actual destination is a layover, allowing you to get off at the layover city rather than the final destination. It is a great way to score amazing flight deals!


Holafly (Free, in-app purchases)

With Holafly, you can stay connected while travelling abroad with affordable international eSIM data plans. Avoid costly roaming charges with unlimited data packages for over 160 countries. You can easily purchase, activate, and manage your eSIM plans using the app.

TripIt (Free)

TripIt makes it easy to keep track of all your travel plans and confirmation numbers in one place. When you forward your hotel, airline, car rental, and other confirmation emails to [email protected], the app automatically creates a master itinerary for your trip.

Viator (Free)

Viator is one of the most popular online marketplaces for booking tours and activities. With over 300,000 options worldwide, you can book everything from walking tours to extreme adventures. You can cancel your reservation up to 24 hours in advance. Additionally, you can access your tickets offline and receive directions to the meeting point for your tour through the app.

Globetips (Free)

Globetips covers over 200 cities around the world and provides tips and advice from locals and travellers. Find out what the best restaurants, attractions, nightlife, and more are at your destination. You can also share your tips.

Packr (Free, premium version)

You will never again forget something at home! Packr is an app that automatically creates packing lists for your trip based on variables such as destination, weather, activities, etc.

Keywords: #traveltips #travelapps #iosapps #flightdeals #esimdata #itinerary #tourbooking #localtips #packinglists #travelhacks #summertravel #wanderlust


What is Bionic Reading

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

A new reading method known as bionic reading is designed to help people read faster and with greater comprehension. A Swiss developer named Renato Casutt invented it in 2022.

As a result of bionic reading, your eyes are guided through the text by strategically bolding words to create "artificial fixation points." Casutt explains that your brain is more efficient at recognizing words when only parts of them are bolded, enabling you to read more efficiently while still comprehending the full context of the text. The bionic reading algorithm identifies and bolds the most "concise parts of words" - i.e. the first 2-4 letters.

Your eyes jump from bolded part to bolded part as your brain fills in the rest of each word. Doing so reduces the number of letters that need to be processed by your eyes. Currently, Bionic Reading is available as an iPhone/Android app, a Mac app, a Chrome extension, and a web-based text converter.

The bionic reading API can also be integrated into applications and software developed by developers. Some users with dyslexia and ADHD have reported that bionic reading improves their reading speed and comprehension.

At this early stage, no scientific studies have validated these claims. In a recent study conducted by the app Readwise, it was not found that bionic reading improved reading speed.

Keywords : #BionicReading #SpeedReading #ReadingInnovation #RenatoCasutt #ReadingTechnology #EnhancedComprehension #ReadingEfficiency #DigitalReading #BionicReadingApp #ReadingSupport #DyslexiaAid #ADHDSupport #TextConverter #ReadingAlgorithm #ArtificialFixationPoints #ReadingApps #EduTech #ReadingImprovement #NeurodiverseReading #ScientificStudyReading #ReadwiseStudy

Microsoft CoPilot: Your AI-Powered Business Assistant Now on iOS

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

TL;DR: Microsoft CoPilot, the new iOS app powered by AI, aims to transform technology interaction by providing a versatile chat assistant with free and premium options, integrated into popular Microsoft 365 apps, making it a valuable tool for businesses and individuals alike


Recently, Microsoft released a new iOS app called CoPilot, a powerful AI chatbot that strives to revolutionize how we interact with technology. In its initial release on December 29, 2023, CoPilot is designed to be a versatile AI assistant that can create text, translate languages, and answer questions informally.

What is CoPilot?

CoPilot is an AI-powered chat assistant originally part of the Bing app. It operates similarly to OpenAI's ChatGPT but with the added advantage of accessing GPT-4, the latest large language model from OpenAI, without having to subscribe. A clean and intuitive user interface makes the app feel more like a conversation than a search engine query.

How Does CoPilot Work?

CoPilot generates responses to user queries using AI models. You can interact with it by typing, talking, or sending images. The app provides real-time intelligent assistance and works alongside popular Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. The software allows you to create, summarize, edit, or transform content in real-time.

What Does CoPilot Cost?

CoPilot's basic version is free to download and use. CoPilot Pro, a premium version Microsoft offers, costs $20 per month per user. Microsoft AI's CoPilot Pro provides access to the latest features and best models, including priority access to OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo for faster performance.

Why Should Businesses Care?

Especially for power users, creators, researchers, and programmers who wish to access AI models quickly, CoPilot can be an invaluable tool for businesses. In addition to increasing productivity, creating compelling content, and unleashing creativity, CoPilot is integrated into various apps, including Microsoft Teams. It is a versatile framework that can evolve with changing requirements in today's software development environment.

Microsoft's CoPilot is an exciting addition to the world of artificial intelligence assistants. Its versatility, user-friendly interface, and integration with popular Microsoft 365 apps make it a powerful tool for businesses and individuals.

Keywords: #MicrosoftCoPilot #AIAssistant #iOSApp #TechnologyRevolution #BingApp #ChatGPT #GPT4 #AIModels #RealTimeAssistance #Microsoft365 #CoPilotPro #PremiumVersion #AIIntegration #ProductivityBoost #ContentCreation #BusinessTool #MicrosoftTeams #SoftwareDevelopment #ArtificialIntelligence #UserFriendly

Discover Nature's Symphony: How Tree.fm's Global Forest Sounds Boost Well-being and Creativity

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

A fascinating website called tree.fm allows users to listen to sounds recorded in forests worldwide. The site curates an audio library of nature's symphony that anyone can access to find a moment of peace or inspiration. The site was created by the organization Sounds of the Forest, which crowd-sourced recordings from people's local forests. The result is an eclectic collection of woodland reveries from locations as diverse as Malaysia's rainforests, Bosnia's oak groves, and Namibia's arid landscapes.

Why Listen to Trees?

It has been shown that even brief exposure to natural environments has surprising health benefits:

  • Reduced stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue

  • Faster recovery times and less need for medication in hospital patients

  • Increased attention, memory, creativity, and cognitive performance

Viewing images of trees and greenscapes has also been associated with a positive mood and outlook.

There is evidence that trees profoundly affect our mental and physical well-being, even though scientists do not fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects.

An Accessible Escape

The great thing about tree.fm is that it makes these benefits readily available to anyone with an internet connection. We cannot always make it out to a forest trail or park, but this platform brings peaceful nature scenes right to our ears. Whether you need assistance getting through a stressful day or just want to relax in the evenings, it provides a tranquil environment for relaxation, creativity, and concentration. In addition, it raises awareness about the threats to forests due to global development and climate change. Please take a moment to listen to tree.fm. Enjoy the sounds of rustling leaves, bird song, and rain dripping from trees. It is amazing what a few minutes of listening can do!

Keyworkds : #TreeFM #NatureSounds #MentalWellness #ForestTherapy #EcoAwareness #Relaxation #CreativeInspiration #GlobalForests #NatureLovers #DigitalWellbeing #SustainableLiving #Mindfulness #Soundscapes #EnvironmentalConservation

2024: A Pivotal Year in Electoral Politics with Global Implications

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

The global stage is set for what can be described as a historic year in electoral politics as we enter 2024. It is estimated that 4 billion people, nearly half the world's population, will participate in national elections across more than 50 countries. The significance of this event lies not only in the sheer volume of participants but also in its potential to shape global politics for many years to come.

The following insights into some of the major elections around the world provide a glimpse into the diversity and significance of these political events:

  1. Taiwan: The elections here are set against the backdrop of China's looming threat, with domestic issues like youth unemployment and rising costs also taking center stage.

  2. El Salvador: Controversial decisions, such as adopting Bitcoin as legal tender and a militarized approach to gang violence, have marked the country's political landscape.

  3. Pakistan: The election scenario is complex, with a history of military coups and legal challenges for former prime ministers.

  4. Indonesia: The election sees a contest between various candidates, including a defence minister accused of human rights violations.

  5. Iran: After the death of Mahsa Amini, the elections came at a time of significant public disaffection.

  6. Russia: With President Putin's long-standing rule, the election's conduct and reported margins will be closely watched.

  7. India: The world's largest democracy heads into elections, with the current Prime Minister's party in a strong position.

  8. Mexico: The country is potentially poised to elect its first female president.

  9. European Union: The European Parliament election will reflect the continent's political direction, with nationalist and populist parties gaining ground in several countries.

  10. United States: A highly anticipated presidential election with global implications, particularly regarding support for Ukraine and relations with China.

  11. South Africa: The African National Congress may not gain a majority for the first time since apartheid's end.

  12. Venezuela: The election comes amid a socioeconomic crisis and concerns about electoral integrity.

  13. United Kingdom: The election could see a shift in power, with the Labour Party potentially ending years of Conservative rule.

As a result of interconnected global issues such as immigration, economic insecurity, and regional stability, this year's elections may have broader implications than just the countries in which they are held. The outcome of these elections will likely have a lasting impact on international relations and global policy.

Keywords: #Elections2024 #GlobalPolitics #InternationalRelations #PoliticalDiversity #HistoricYear #Democracy #WorldwideElections #GlobalImplications #PoliticalInsights #Vote202