Latest in Technology
32 minutes ago
One Tech Tip: No more lost cats and dogs. Use tech to track your pet
LONDON -- LONDON (AP) — 'Have you seen the cats?' That's a common refrain in my household because our two felines, Maple and Juniper, can venture outside through a flap in the backdoor. Like many other London house cats, they're free to come and go, roaming the surrounding backyards and beyond, equipped with microchips to identify them if they get lost. If your cat likes to prowl outdoors for long stretches, or your dog has a tendency to run off, it can be distressing when they don't return as expected. If you're worried about your furry friend's whereabouts, technology can help you keep tabs on them. Dedicated pet trackers are collar-worn devices that typically use GPS signals to pinpoint the location of the animal wearing them. They use a 4G cellphone signal or your home Wi-Fi connection to relay the position to a smartphone app. There are many products on the market. Tractive, Jiobit and Pawfit are among brands that offer trackers for both dogs and cats. Devices for the latter are generally smaller and lighter. Dog trackers with integrated collars are available from Fi and Whistle. PetTracer is a cat collar that uses both GPS and radio signals from a home base station. FitBark, also for dogs, has an Apple Watch app to monitor location and other activity. Garmin has a range of GPS dog collars that work with handheld devices resembling walkie-talkies, but they're pricey and aimed at outdoors enthusiasts like hunters. Most trackers let you designate a safe zone on a map, usually your house and surrounding area, and alert you if your pet has left it. They usually operate on the 4G LTE spectrum commonly used by wireless carriers. It typically has the longest range of any cellular signal, said Andrew Bleiman, Tractive's executive vice president for North America. That means strong connectivity in most of Europe and North America 'unless you're in a really far flung place like the middle of a national park,' Bleiman said. Exact price depends on brand and model. Most devices sell for less than $100. However, keep in mind you'll also have to pay a subscription fee for the cell service to function. While that could cost $100 or more a year, for some pet owners it's worth the 'peace of mind,' Bleiman said. The collars usually have a built-in rechargeable battery but battery life varies. Most will be last at least two to three days before they need charging, and a lot longer in ideal conditions. One big factor is signal strength. The battery will drain faster if the device has to work harder to pick up the GPS or connect to Wi-Fi. Some save power by not sending coordinates in the safe zone. Like fitness watches for humans, pet tracking apps offer health and activity monitoring features. You can see how long your cat or dog has spent resting or exercising on a daily or hourly basis. But be aware, a tracker is 'not going to keep your pet in the backyard," Bleiman said. It will only "alert you when they leave the virtual fence area that you set up.' This One TechTip was inspired by Maple, who once went AWOL for days. It turned out he was hanging out in a backyard 10 doors down the street. We only found out after the residents got hold of a pet microchip scanner to look up our contact details to let us know so we could retrieve him. Tractive provided a loaner device to try. Using the included breakaway collar, we put it on Maple, who clearly didn't like it at first. He dashed out the back door and jumped through a hole in the fence. Over the next day, I used the Tractive app to monitor his movements. It showed his travels back and forth onto various neighboring properties. He came back to rest for a few hours around midnight, went out to prowl again around 3 a.m, then came back after an hour to nap some more. It was fascinating to see where he was spending his time. According to the app's 'heatmap," one of Maple's favorite spots was the same backyard where we had to retrieve him previously. About 24 hours after I attached the Tractive collar on Maple, I noticed he was no longer wearing it. It had somehow come off. If you can't find your pet's exact location, or the device gets lost, Tractive has a 'radar' feature to pinpoint it with your phone's Bluetooth. Other brands have similar features. On the app's map, I could see it was in a nearby backyard and that I was getting closer because the circle was getting bigger. But I couldn't figure out where it was and, not wanting to disturb the neighbors, I gave up. Bleiman recommends using a harness for cats that don't like collars, but I'm not convinced. It's common for cats and dogs to be implanted with microchips, with the details added to a database. That makes it much easier to reunite owners with lost dogs and cats, even if they've strayed hundreds of miles away or gone missing for years. Pet microchips, about the size of a grain of rice implanted just below the skin, are legally required in some European countries. There's no federal law in the U.S., though some places like Hawaii now require them, so check with state or local authorities. But there's some confusion about what microchips can do. Because they don't have a power supply, they can't be tracked in real time. Whoever finds your pet would need to take it to a vet or a shelter to can scan the device for contact details. Many pet owners use Bluetooth trackers like Apple's Air Tags, Samsung's SmartTags or similar devices from Tile, Cube and Chipolo, which rely on low-power signals relayed by passing smartphones. Bluetooth trackers have a range of 100 to 500 feet (30 to 150 meters), depending on the model. The batteries last for months if not longer, and there's no need to pay for a subscription. However, they're not specifically marketed for pets. That hasn't stopped pet owners, judging from many recommendations they've posted in online forums. Chipolo advises that its round plastic trackers are only for 'in-house pets like house-trained cats and smaller dogs' and warns against using them on "larger dog breeds and outdoor cats." Still, they can be a solution for some pet owners. 'Bluetooth is a totally reasonable solution if you're in a downtown urban core,' Bleiman said. 'But pets move fast. And if you're in a wooded park, or you're in a suburban area — let alone a more rural or wilderness area — it's pretty unlikely your pet is going to be close to a Bluetooth device."
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mukund Acharya joins SPNI as chief technology officer to drive technology-led transformation
Sony Pictures Networks India ( SPNI ) has announced the appointment of Mukund Acharya as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective June 19, 2025. In his new role, Acharya will spearhead the company's consolidated technology portfolio, encompassing the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology , and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). He will be responsible for driving SPNI's digital transformation agenda, fostering innovation and ensuring strategic alignment between business goals and technology initiatives across the network's linear and digital platforms. With over 29 years of experience in leading technology teams and delivering large-scale transformations, Acharya brings deep expertise in platform engineering, scalability, and product innovation. He joins SPNI from Disney+ Hotstar (Now JioStar), where he served as Head of Engineering. During his tenure, he led several mission-critical projects, including the integration of JioCinema and Hotstar apps, and the seamless delivery of marquee events like the ICC World Cups 2023, 2024, and 2025. His prior experience includes senior technology leadership roles at Yahoo, InMobi, and other global organisations. Acharya will report to Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive officer, SPNI, and will also work closely with the leadership of Sony LIV to support its next phase of platform evolution and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Banerjee said, 'Mukund's proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities, his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation.'
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
HCLTech to enhance operations for US energy supply firm Just Energy
HCLTech on Thursday announced a partnership with US-based energy supply company Just Energy to enhance its operations and customer experience. The third-largest IT services player will provide digital process outsourcing solutions alongside its generative AI platform to boost efficiency across the company's IT, finance, analytics, customer care, sales and renewals functions, it said in a statement. This is the second energy sector deal announced by HCLTech in a week. On Monday, the Noida-headquartered software exporter said it is collaborating with European energy multinational on cloud and network management. Also Read: HCLTech partners with Spanish health insurer ASISA to drive digital transformation across Iberia 'By combining our expertise in GenAI and digital process outsourcing, HCLTech will contribute significantly to Just Energy's innovation strategy and customer satisfaction," said Ajay Bahl, chief growth officer, Americas, manufacturing and allied industries, HCLTech. Live Events HCLTech seeks to improve workforce collaboration and business process management at Just Energy through a role-specific single-user interface platform and its business process optimisation offerings, the statement said. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories "We are confident that HCLTech's proven expertise and commitment to service excellence will help us achieve our key business objectives relating to operational efficiency and service improvements," said Scott Fordham, chief operating officer at Just Energy.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nikhil Kamath backs creative agency One Hand Clap
Entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath has invested in One Hand Clap Media , a creative agency founded by former All India Bakchod (AIB) executives Aakash Shah and Naveed Manakkodan . The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The investment is part of Kamath's broader effort to support India's creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo One Hand Clap is positioning itself as a partner of choice for Indian brands seeking digital-first, culturally relevant campaigns. With a focus on fast, efficient, and high-impact storytelling, the agency has worked with prominent brands such as Swiggy , Netflix India, BGMI, Bumble, CRED, Ather, EMotorad, and Prime Video India. Live Events The agency's work spans ad film production, digital campaign execution, and influencer marketing. 'Nikhil gets our DNA, and our visions align,' said Aakash Shah, co-founder of One Hand Clap. 'We both never cared for the status quo; we have always aimed to disrupt it, defy the metrics and algorithms to tell stories, not just campaigns for our clients." Co-founder Naveed Manakkodan added: 'Nikhil's investment validates our thesis that in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, speed and authentic storytelling are paramount. This partnership fuels our ambition to redefine the agency model, delivering impactful creative solutions with unparalleled agility."
Hindustan Times
35 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr spotted testing in India, will rival Honda NX500, Benelli TRK 502
The Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr is an adventure tourer and could arrive in India around the festive season this year Check Offers Austrian bike maker Brixton Motorcycles is all set to expand its lineup with a new adventure tourer, or at least that seems to be the case. The Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr was recently caught testing in India, hinting at a launch sometime this year. Brixton Motorcycles entered India last year in partnership with KAW Veloce Motors. The company already retails the Crossfire 500X and 500XC, as well as the Cromwell 1200 and 1200X. Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr: What Is It? The spy shots provide a good look at the Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr. The bike gets a purpose-built look with the tower-style layout. The round headlamp with the LED DRL retains the neo-retro design language, similar to the other offerings from the manufacturer. The bike also boasts a tall windscreen and a large plastic cladding on the side, while there are knuckle guards, a two-piece seat, and a chunky grab rail with a base for a top box. Also Read : Brixton Crossfire range launched in India: Price, variants, and features explained The Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr was spotted testing in India and will draw power from the 486 cc twin-cylinder mill that also powers the Crossfire 500 X and XC. (Zigwheels) Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr: Specifications Powering the Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr will be the 486 cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder motor, same as the one found on the Crossfire X and XC. The engine is tuned for 47 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 43 Nm of peak torque at 6,750 rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The bike tips the scales at 209 kg (kerb), and has a seat height of 839 mm. The fuel tank capacity measures 16 litres. The Crossfire 500 Storr rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cross-spoke tubeless wheels wrapped in dual-purpose tyres. The bike rides on USD forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear, while braking power comes from discs at either end. The adventure tourer comes with switchable ABS, all-LED lighting, switchable traction control, and a vertically stacked digital instrument console. Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr: Rivals & Expected Price The Brixton Crossfire 500 Storr will primarily compete against the Honda NX500 and Benelli TRK 502 in the segment. The sub-500 cc twin-cylinder adventure tourer segment has limited options, and the new Storr could be a worthy contender against the Benelli and Honda offerings. The model will also face the heat soon from the CFMoto 450MT, which is under consideration for India. Moreover, the Royal Enfield Himalayan and new-gen KTM 390 Adventure come close to the Crossfire 500 Storr in terms of performance with single-cylinder engines. The upcoming offering will be locally assembled, so expect prices to be at a slight premium around the ₹ 5.5 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. Image Source Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date: 19 Jun 2025, 13:07 PM IST
