Monday 17 August 2015

Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+, shipping August 21

samsung, smartphone, phablet, unpacked, flagship, note 5, galaxy note 5, samsung unpacked, galaxy 6s edge plus, edge plus, 6s edge plus 

Samsung pulled back the curtain on two new flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+. Both handsets borrow heavily from the Galaxy S6 in terms of styling and design and considering that was Samsung’s best-looking device to date, that’s not a bad thing.
The two new devices are essentially identical under the hood. Both are powered by Samsung’s own octa-core Exynos 7420 SoC which consists of four cores clocked at 2.1GHz and four at 1.5GHz alongside a whopping 4GB of RAM (the Galaxy S6 only had 3GB).



The duo also share a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization and 4K video recording capabilities and a 5-megapixel selfie cam. Local storage options start at 32GB and scale up to 64GB and 128GB for those not keen on keeping things in the cloud.

The main difference between the two is that the Note 5 has a flat screen, an S-Pen and a curved backside while the S6 Edge+ utilizes a curved screen along the right and left sides (just like the S6 Edge), doesn’t come with an S-Pen and has a flat backside.

 






As was the case with the S6, both forego plastic building materials in favor of aluminum and glass. This of course means that the 3,000mAh battery isn’t removable and storage can’t be supplemented by removable media.
Pre-orders for both devices will open this afternoon at 3pm Eastern with units set to go on sale in the US and Canada on August 21.




SOURCE: TECHSPOT

Saturday 15 August 2015

7 Reasons Why You Should Quit Facebook

Why We're Getting Off Facebook in 2015 
 
Ten years ago Facebook was just cresting as the cool new social media site that helped you keep in touch with the people you didn’t actually like in high school. We fed it our thoughts and feelings, shared our meals and locations and our top ten movie lists, kept it up-to-date on our relationship status, political views, favorite links, and personal information — all in the name of staying connected, and all without a thought to our security. But with a decade of questions regarding how Facebook makes money now answered, and a general understanding of how sharing information online can be dangerous (while the platform constantly updates its security protocol), we continue to use it anyway, even though many of us are just checking in as ritual and have threatened our exit from Facebook for years.

Of course, screen time in moderation is, for the most part, perfectly acceptable, and social media can offer a few genuinely beneficial uses. But before you log in or tap that app on your smartphone again, here are a few reasons to quit Facebook in 2015.

It Wastes Your TimeIt's estimated that the average casual user (17 minutes per day on Facebook) who has been active on the site for 10 years has wasted upwards of 40 entire days of their lives scrolling and liking and commenting on pictures and posts. And more engaged users, who spend at least an hour a day on the site, have clocked 150 days feeding the Facebook beast during the same time. Think about how long you spend on the site each day, and what else could be a more productive use of your time.

Facebook Uses You to Sell Stuff...In 2012, the site manipulated posts from 689,000 accounts without consent in an experiment that examined whether or not it could affect your emotions by making a few edits on your page. The study was done, according to Facebook, to "improve our services and to make the content people see on Facebook as relevant and engaging as possible." Skeptics think it was really used to discover the monetary benefit of a Like. COO Sheryl Sandberg later apologized, adding that they "never meant to upset you."

And Targets You with AdvertisementsOne time you wanted to buy a thing, and then you searched for that thing, and six months later Facebook is still reminding you that you should think about buying that thing, even if you already bought the thing. Yes, most sites do this thanks to embedded cookies, but only Facebook seamlessly posts these ads in your timeline with enough regularity that you can only assume your friend has an odd obsession with the latest Norelco razor.

It's Bad for Your HealthFacebook isn't just a harmless website dedicated to cataloging your vacations, poor wardrobe choices, and myopic thoughts on sporting events (which can both define or destroy relationships), it can actually do you harm. Studies hint that it can impact your immune system and inhibit the release of growth hormones, impair digestion and vision, limit thinking and kill creativity, and affect sleep patterns and happiness.

"Who Are These People, Anyway?"The average adult has 338 friends on Facebook and probably doesn't know more than 10 percent of them anymore, or at all. Many of them likely have new lives, some have new last names, new passions, new facial hair, and new humans they're now responsible for keeping alive (read: babies). These are not the friends you knew, and semi-casually keeping up with them is a waste of time that could be better spent with new, real friends. Or on Twitter.

"But I Don't Care About Privacy"Fair. That's your right. But the problem is that we're setting precedent for the future without yet understanding how it will affect the free and open Web, and simultaneously creating an internet that relies on you having a Facebook account to access sites that are not Facebook. As one of nearly 1.2 billion users to date, odds are decent that your account won't be hacked by someone with ill-will toward your family. That doesn't mean that permitting easy access to your information goes without consequence, both immediately and decades from now.

Nothing You Post Actually MattersVery few people care what you're doing, whom you're with, where you're eating, or what you just bought, and the people who do were probably right next to you when you did it. We all saw that funny Ice Bucket Challenge video, and if we didn’t see it, it's fine. We're all fine. You'll sleep well without knowing which childhood toys you owned are now worth a fortune, and you will absolutely "believe what happened next" on Upworthy, because someone took time to write about it. These articles only exist because you share them on Facebook, and you only share them because they exist. So, instead, just invite a friend over to talk about how much you both loved Save By the Bell. The internet can only take so much nostalgia.



LIKE & SHARE NOW!

5 tips to make your Android phone run faster

android perf tips primary 

There’s a lot of power contained within that little glass rectangle you carry around all day. We’ve got eight-core CPUs, multiple gigabytes of RAM, and batteries with thousands of milliampere-hours of capacity, but sometimes the experience doesn’t live up to the hardware’s potential. Things go wrong, settings get screwed up, and apps get greedy for resources. This can render a phone sluggish and kill the battery. That’s certainly a problem, but don’t worry, we can fix it in a few simple steps.

Check for updates

android perf tips update
You might just be running old, busted software.
Which updates? All the updates. If you don’t have automatic updates activated in the Play Store, or you’re not connected to Wi-Fi very often, you should run through all the app updates available to you before taking more drastic measures. It’s possible some app or other had a bad update and is causing mischief in the background. Getting the newest version might solve your problems in mere minutes.
You should also check for system updates in the About phone menu in Settings. You’ll likely get a notification when over-the-air updates are ready, but not all carriers keep pushing them after you dismiss the alert. If there’s an update available for your device, make sure you install it. You can probably find horror stories about OS updates if you look around, but these tales are in the extreme minority. Usually you’ll get security fixes and (importantly) performance improvements.

Remove and disable apps

android perf tips uninstall
Get rid of unneeded stuff.
If you’ve been using a phone for a few months, you’ve probably accumulated quite a collection of apps you rarely open. Maybe you think you’ll use them at some point, but let’s be real, you’re not—ever. You should go through your device and remove anything you don’t absolutely need.
Android allows apps to start up and run in the background. That’s usually not a problem, but some apps (as mentioned above) can misbehave. Micromanaging background tasks is a recipe for disaster as any services you kill will only restart themselves and drag the system down and waste more battery in the process. Fewer apps installed means few background tasks for Android to juggle. Simply removing apps you don’t use could solve your problem. You might also be seeing sluggishness if your phone is nearly out of space, so clearing it out can help in that respect.
For unwanted system apps that you can’t uninstall, you should disable them from the main app settings (here’s how). This hides them from the app drawer and prevents them from starting up in the background. If these apps are bogging down your phone, problem solved.

Clean up your home screen

android perf tips home screen2
Streamline your home screen to improve performance.
Most device makers have their own home screen, but there are also various third-party alternatives and Google’s own Now Launcher in the Play Store. One thing they all have in common is widget support. Widgets are great, except when you get a little carried away and they make the phone sluggish.
If you’re feeling a little too much lag, consider scaling back what’s running on the home screen. It might just be one or two widgets causing issues, so look for things that scroll or refresh often. Live wallpapers can also cause a device to suffer poor performance, so switch to a static one to see if that fixes anything.

Be smarter with power saving modes

android perf tips power saving
Use power saving mode when it’s appropriate.
It’s 4PM, is your battery dead yet? Depending on the phone you’re carrying around, you might have to answer in the affirmative. The power saving modes included in virtually all phones can save a bit of juice and extend usable time, but they come with drawbacks. For example, they’ll slow the clock speed of your processor, and reduce the rate at which the display is drawn. Unsurprisingly, that makes the phone feel slower. It can be noticeable if you’re already dealing with performance issues.
There’s a place for power saving modes, of course. When you’re actually low on battery and longevity is more important than performance, sure, turn it on. Most phones even have a setting to automatically enable power saving modes at a certain threshold. Just don’t leave these modes on all the time like some people do.

A full factory reset

android perf tips reset
The nuclear option.
Despite how amazing smartphones are, they aren’t perfect. Sometimes you just don’t know what’s wrong, and no amount of tinkering settings and apps will return a device to like-new performance. If all else fails, you should consider doing a full device reset. This can solve any problem you’re having with apps, but it can also cure bizarre and impossible to diagnose system issues. It’s a bummer that this sort of thing still happens, but if there’s some sort of deep-down error or misconfiguration, this is probably the only course of action you have.
Before you reset your phone, make sure you’ve got all the important data saved elsewhere. You can save files in cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive. App data is harder to take care of, but Helium Backup is compatible with most devices and doesn’t need root.
You can initiate a device reset from the main system settings in the aptly named Backup and reset menu. You can also boot into recovery mode and reset from there, but that’s only necessary if your phone isn’t booting to Android properly. If you do need to reset, hopefully you at least end up with a snappy Android device at the end of it.
  
source: PCWorld


Thursday 13 August 2015

#PicOfTheDay: Kidsin2030


Yes for real... 
Here's what kids will be like in a few years to come, no doubt. 
How hilarious.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Video: Quick Guide To Windows 10


If you're one of those who actually liked the Windows 8.1 interface, here's what you need to know to use Windows 10. LIKE & SHARE!

Source: PCWorld

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Video: BudgIT #FixourOil

 

Do you know Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of oil in the world? Do you know the government has made over $1.6 trillion since oil was found in 1956? How much do you know about the sector that provides more than 75% of our revenue. We need to #AskQuestions #FixOurOil. Watch our video and visit www.yourbudgit.com/oil to learn more.

 PLEASE LIKE & SHARE!





20 Facts About Technology Which Will Amuse You


1. The majority of computer users blink 7 times per minute at most, compared to the normal blink rate of 20 blinks per minute.


2. Email was invented before the web; which means that it has been around longer.


3. The home of Bill Gates was designed with the use of a Macintosh Computer.


4. The original Macintosh case which was created during the year of 1982, contains 47 signatures of the division of Apple’s Macintosh members.


5. Doug Engelhard invented the very first computer mouse which was made out of wood. He created it in 1964.


6. On a regular work day for a typist, their fingers travel at an average rate of about 12.6 miles per day.


7. The state of Alaska is the only state whose letters can be typed in a straight row of keyboard letters.

8. Ebay has about $680 worth of transactions that take place per second.

9. There are more than one million domain names that are registered online per month.

10. Apple, Microsoft, HP, and Google are all IT applications that started development in a garage.

11. The social Media website Myspace has about 110 million registered users. If the social media site had been considered a country it would be the 10th largest; right after Mexico.

12. Youtube.com was registered February 14th, 2005.

13. The Dvorak keyboard is known to be more efficient and 20 times faster than Querty.

14. Computer programming is an occupation that is growing faster than any other.

15. The first online advertisement banner was created and used in the year of 1994.

16. Hewlett Packard, which is more known as HP, was invented in a garage in Palo Alto during the year of 1939.

17. As of this year, there are currently 17 billion devices that are connected or related to the internet and the use of the internet.

18. About 1 out of 8 couples met their spouse on the internet within the past few years. There are more people meeting their significant others online each year.

19. If you are able to find a way to hack into Facebook then they will pay you up to $500.

20. There are about 1 billion instant messenger accounts that are active around the world today.

The above are 20 interesting facts about technology that you may or may not have been aware of. Now that you know that you can LIKE $ SHARE these facts with other people who might not know about them. It is most certainly considered to be entertainment for your brain.

#picoftheday - Female IT Experts

 
 
 
 
 

SO, SHE GOT PISSED...

LET YOUR SMARTPHONE BE YOUR THERAPIST; 10 HEALTHY THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOUR SMARTPHONE COULD DO




www.silent-guru.blogspot.com


Your smartphone can do some pretty unusual things that you’ve probably never even considered. Here are some of the most amazing, out-there tasks your smartphone can help you conquer.


 

Monitor your heart rate


Monitor heart rateSome newer smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S® 6, have integrated heart rate monitors. But there are also apps that work with a number of smartphones that allow you to measure your heart rate. That includes Instant Heart Rate and Runtastic Heart Rate (both available for Android and iOS)—which can take your workout to the next level.


I use my smartphone every day, often in the first few minutes I wake up. It’s not because I’m addicted (ok, maybe I am a little bit addicted) – it’s because my phone is so darn useful. It tells me the weather. It helps me avoid and navigate around traffic jams. It helps me keep in touch with my friends.
 

Prevent drunk driving

BACtrack Vio BreathalyzerImagine you’re at a house party with a couple close friends. You’ve all shared a glass or two of wine. You feel like you’re probably OK to drive, but it’d be far more responsible to know for sure.
That’s where the new Bluetooth BACtrack Vio Smartphone Breathlyzer comes in. The compact keychain device measures the alcohol present on your breath in just 5 seconds, wirelessly sending your BAC reading to your iOS or Android smartphone. An included app will predict how long it’ll take for your levels to return to 0%, helping you plan whether to call a cab or just “wait it out.”
The BACtrack Vio is available directly from BACtrack and at Amazon.com for just $49.99.
 

Measure your muscles

Skulpt Body Fat MonitorAs any health expert will tell you, your bathroom scale isn’t the best way to measure progress at the gym. Muscle weighs more than fat, so gaining the occasional pound or two can be a very good thing.
The Skulpt Aim helps you get a better handle on your fitness by tracking your body fat percentage and the muscle fiber size instead of your weight. It uses small electrodes to measure individual muscle groups and areas and relays the info to your phone, giving you an overall picture of where you’re making progress and where you’re not. The device even comes with an app that recommends exercises that are best for your body’s unique composition.
The Skulpt Aim works with both Android and iOS device and is expect to start shipping in Fall 2014. You can preorder yours at skulpt.me for $169.99, which includes free shipping.


Test for STDs

This smartphone dongle or attachment performs the functions of a lab-based blood test—specifically, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)—to test for HIV antibodies and two types of syphilis antibodies. Researchers recently tested it in Rwanda in clinics that work to prevent mother-to-child-transmission and in voluntary counseling and testing centers. With an estimated manufacturing cost of $34 versus the $18,450 typical for ELISA equipment, this device could advance early diagnosis and treatment of these illnesses in developing countries.

Give you an instant eyeglass prescription

Smart Vision Labs created the SVOne, a pocket-sized device that measures refractive errors in the eye and displays a digital eyeglass prescription via smart phone. The company founders envision it for use by doctors with multiple offices or limited space and to serve patients who struggle with traditional machinery or have difficulties with mobility. Where it could really shine, though, is in developing countries where millions lack eye care. The World Health Organization reports that some 90 percent of the world’s visually impaired people live in low-income settings with no eye doctors available and that uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of moderate and severe visual impairment globally.

Track your cholesterol

Engineers at Cornell University created the Smartphone Cholesterol Application for Rapid Diagnostics, or smartCARD, to test cholesterol levels. Users clamp the device, similar to a credit card reader, over the phone's camera then place a drop of blood, sweat or saliva on a test strip. Insert the strip into the device and voila, a built-in flash illuminates the strip and an app matches the image's color values and shows results on the phone. Currently, the test measures total cholesterol, but the lab is working on measuring LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol) and triglycerides, as well as vitamin D levels. This app might make you re-think that double cheeseburger, eventually.

Assess your mental health

Dartmouth University researchers built an Android app that knows the smartphone owner’s state of mind. The app automatically measures sleep duration, number and length of conversations per day, physical activity, locations and time spent there, stress level, eating habits and more—24/7 and without user interaction. Computational method and machine learning algorithms on the phone then assess that data and make higher-level inferences about sleep, sociability, activity, and other behaviors. When 48 students carried phones with the app during a 10-week term, the data significantly correlated with their mental health and academic performance. The app potentially could be used to provide real-time feedback on campus safety and stress levels, identify students at risk, and assess the quality of teaching. It could also be used to monitor mental health, trigger intervention, and improve productivity in the workplace as well.

Help keep you sober

The Addiction-Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System smartphone app, designed for patients with alcohol use disorder, provides audio-guided relaxation and sounds an alert if individuals stray near a high-risk location, such as a bar they previously frequented. Patients leaving residential treatment who used the app reported an average of 1.37 fewer risky drinking days—meaning more than four standard drinks for men and three for women in a two-hour period—than those not using the app. Patients using the app also were more likely to consistently abstain from alcohol.

Alert you that the milk is spoiled

Researchers at MIT developed sensors that can be read by a smartphone to detect ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyclohexanone, and other gases. In the future, it could be used to monitor public spaces for explosives and other harmful chemicals, identify environmental pollutants, or detect food spoilage in warehouses. The sensors also could be used in "smart packaging" that detects spoilage or contamination in the foods you buy. Your next phone message could be from that old milk carton in the refrigerator.

 Improve your hearing aid

This smartphone app could help improve the quality of life of people who use hearing assistive devices, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and personal sound amplifiers. To remain small and low-cost, these devices typically use not-so-powerful processors. Smartphones, on the other hand, have powerful processors, large memories, microphones, speakers, wireless technology and long-lasting batteries, which can improve the performance of hearing assistive devices. For example, a smartphone could run sophisticated algorithms to distinguish background noise signals and enhance speech.
 

 


7 TECHNICAL THINGS YOUR SMARTPHONE CAN DO

Control Other Devices With Infrared


More and more Android phones are being released with infrared blasters, particularly high-end handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9.
If your phone has one of these, in theory it can control anything that responds to infrared signals. You'll likely find that your phone already has an app that makes use of it hidden away somewhere, which can be programmed to control your TV or set-top box.
But even if your phone doesn't have a built-in infrared control, or you just don't get on with the one that is included, you'll find that Google Play has a few available to download, such as the Peel Smart Remote, which is often just re-skinned by manufacturers anyway.



Measure Speed, Height & Distance Of Objects

Measure speed, height and distance of objects Have you wanted to get your hands on a radar gun, like the ones used by baseball scouts or the police? With your smartphone, you can measure the speed of moving objects with the apps Speed Gun (Android™) and SpeedClock (iOS). Great for sporting events like baseball, football or track and field.
There are also a couple of nifty smartphone apps that will measure the height and distance of objects using your camera lens. Android users can check out Smart Measure Pro, while iOS users can try Dot Measure Pro



Diagnose a leaky window

FLIR ONE Thermal Imaging Camera
Turn your phone into a thermal imaging camera with the FLIR ONE add on. It fits onto your phone much like a Mophie Juice Pack does, and translates thermal energy into color images. It’ll show you where cold air is seeping into your house, where pipes need better insulation and even help locate overloaded circuits.
The FLIR ONE Personal Thermal Imager is compatible with both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. It’s available for purchase directly from FLIR.com for $349.00.


 

Watch over-the-air TV

Belkin Dyle TV AntennaYou may already know that your smartphone can connect to streaming video services like Hulu, allowing you to catch your favorite TV shows on the go. But did you know there’s a way to watch your favorite shows live, over-the-air? It’s possible with the Belkin Dyle.
The Dyle is a small antenna device that connects directly to your older iPhone or iPad’s charger port to receive over-the-air digital signals. It’s a great way to catch coverage of the big game while you’re sitting in the stands, pass time while riding the commuter rail or keep the kids busy in the car. Of course, for the device to work, you’ll need to be close to a major metropolitan area to pick up a quality signal.
The 30-pin Belkin Dyle is compatible with the iPhone 4/4S, iPad, iPad 2 and 3rd generation iPad. You can buy yours direct from Belkin or on Amazon.com for $29.99.
 
 

Figure out why your check engine light is on

AutomaticWe know how disturbing it gets when the Check Engine light becomes a fairly regular occurrence.
The good news: You and I don’t need to take our cars to an expensive mechanic just to get that light diagnosed – we can do it ourselves using our smartphones and a device like Automatic. It connects directly to your car’s onboard computer, turning Check Engine events into push alerts to your iOS and Android phone. If it’s a minor issue, you may be able to fix it and clear the light yourself, saving a trip to the shop.
Automatic also tracks your driving, giving you feedback on your acceleration and braking habits that can help improve your gas mileage. It can even alert emergency authorities in case of a disabling crash.
Automatic is compatible with most gasoline cars sold in the U.S. since 1996. You can purchase the device directly from Amazon for $79.99.
 
 

Pilot a drone

An autonomous drone designed at the Vienna University of Technology navigates using the computing power in your smartphone. Drones are typically steered by humans or signals from an earthbound computer, but this one can negotiate completely on its own without external computer input. The smartphone camera provides visual data and its processor acts as the control center, coded in an app. The designers envision a number of possible uses: the device could be sent into a burning building to look around before firefighters enter, guide people in large and confusing areas, or inexpensively monitor illegal foresting.


Pinpoint where gunshots originated

A team at Vanderbilt University's Institute of Software Integrated Systems turned an Android smartphone into a simple shooter location system. The Department of Defense has sophisticated, expensive sniper location systems that use dedicated sensor arrays to pick up on a firearm’s sonic signature. The smartphone version uses external sensors, about the size of a deck of cards, containing microphones and a processor that detects a gunshot’s acoustic signature and exact time. The processor sends that information to the smartphone, which transmits it to other modules and uses triangulation to pinpoint the origin of the gunshot. The system needs several participants, making it best suited for security teams or similar groups, such as SWAT officers...or lost hunters.



Monday 10 August 2015

Video Surveillance [CCTV]

Image result for video surveillanceVideo surveillance, commonly known as CCTV.

What is CCTV?

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a system where the circuit in which the video transmitted is closed and all the elements (camera, display monitors, recording devices) are directly connected. This is unlike broadcast television where any receiver that is correctly tuned can pick up and display or store the signal. In the past, these signals would be transmitted to a monitor equipped with a video cassette recorder, but these h
ave been all but totally replaced by digital video recorder (DVR) systems that can store far more video and back up data automatically.

What is CCTV Used For?

Image result for video surveillanceThe most common use of CCTV is in security surveillance systems. They’ve been found for years in areas like large retail shops, banks, and government institutions. Thanks to reduced costs in the manufacture of cameras and video recording equipment, camera systems are becoming more and more commonplace in smaller businesses, and even private homes.

CCTV has become ubiquitous in large cities, along major highways, and areas that host large events. On streets and roads, CCTV is often used in traffic law enforcement, but it’s used to monitor traffic patterns, allowing emergency services to react quickly to accidents and for maintenance departments to better plan necessary construction projects. In hotels, stadiums, and convention centers, CCTV is often used in private television networks, broadcasting sporting events or special events throughout their facilities.

CCTV Cameras

Any camera that broadcasts a signal can be attached to a CCTV system, whether it’s wired or wireless, but they are most often associated with high-end surveillance cameras. Pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras allow a user to remotely control a camera. The type of lens used will depend on the application and area the camera will be installed

Beyond this list, there are many other names that cameras go by, but most of those are more related to the application in which the unit will be used vs. the type of camera (i.e., front door cam, nanny cam, license-plate cam, elevator cam, etc.). Other references speak to the housings, such as tamper-proof, weatherproof, etc.

Image result for video surveillanceBullet A bullet CCTV camera is a wall-mount or ceiling-mounted unit that is typically designed for indoor use, but can also be fill some outdoor applications. The camera derives its name from its sleek, thin cylindrical shape. Many bullet cameras also tout themselves as being waterproof. The camera is not typically designed to have pan/tilt/zoom control but instead to capture images from a fixed area. The unit is mounted pointing at a particular area.
Dome: A dome cameras get their name from the dome-shaped housing in which they sit. These housings are designed to make the cameras unobtrusive… not covert or hidden. Typical applications are retail, where the camera is designed to be unobtrusive, but visible.

These units serve a dual purpose: “bad guys” will know the facility is being watched and patrons will feel at ease knowing the facility is being protected. Units that allow the camera to spin quickly within the housing are often referred to as “speed domes.”
Image result for video surveillance
Covert/Desktop/Board Cameras: These tiny cameras are well suited for desktop use for Skype and other low-resolution teleconference applications.

Discreet Cameras: It’s clock… it’s a smoke detector… it’s motion sensor. The real answer is none of the above. These are just some of the disguises for covert cameras. Of course, covert cameras can also be characterized by conventional cameras placed in discreet locations.

Infrared/Night Vision: These night-vision cameras have the ability to see images in pitch black conditions using IR LEDs. In some cases they are for mobile applications.

Outdoor: The key to outdoor cameras is the housing itself, which must be impenetrable to moisture, insects, dust and other elements.

Day/Night: Day/night cameras compensate for varying light conditions to allow the camera to capture images. These are primarily used in outdoor applications where the security camera is positioned for an outdoor parking lot, for example. In many cases, units are dubbed as having a wide dynamic range to function in glare, direct sunlight, reflections and strong back light 24/7.

Varifocal: A camera with a varifocal lens allows the operator to zoom in or out while still maintaining focus on the image.

Network/IP: These cameras, both hardwired and wireless, transmit images over the Internet, often compressing the bandwidth so as not to overwhelm the web. IP cameras are easier to install than analog cameras because they do not require a separate cable run or power boost to send images over a longer distance.

Wireless: Not all wireless cameras are IP-based. Some wireless cameras can use alternative modes of wireless transmission. But no matter what the transmission method, the primary benefit to these units is still the same: extreme flexibility in installation.

PTZ/Speed Domes: Pan/tilt/zoom cameras give the surveillance operator the ability to move the camera left or right (pan); up and down (tilt); and zoom the lens closer or farther. These are relegated to surveillance situations where there is an actual live guard or surveillance specialist monitoring the images. There are cameras that have automated pan/tilt/zoom functionality where the camera is moving on a timed basis. These are many times used to cover a wide area with only one camera, or to avoid poor light conditions, such as a setting sun.

High-Definition Cameras: Ultra high-definition cameras are often relegated to niche markets, such as casinos. These give the operators the ability to zoom in with extreme clarity (to look at poker players, for example, who might have something up their sleeve). In the past, these cameras were tube-based analog cameras, but today’s digital technology has displaced those older units. The cameras can also transmit their images using HDcctv