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Ad Tech Web 3.0 Tech

IS YOUR BRAND METAVERSE READY?

Written by : Srishti Jain on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

You need not answer that. It’s clearly a rhetorical question. What we mean is how ready is your brand to start the Web 3.0 Journey.

Let us first start with telling you about Evolution of User Experience in the Digital space. 

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We are currently in the Transition phase and slowly moving towards AR VR Wearables & Mixed Reality devices as an everyday utility. While your customer base is moving towards the Web 3.0 it’s important for your brand to jump on the wagon.

What it means is you change your communication and your content to something more engaging, a lot more immersive and definitely more interactive, allowing two way communication

At retail level, we can explore Interactive store facades, Virtual try-on, In-store engagement games, Interactive Visual Merchandise and Immersive in-store experiences.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality (AR) is overlaying visual, auditory, or other sensory information onto the real world to enhance one’s experience. You don’t need fancy wearables like Heads sets or smart glasses to access it, rather it can be accessed through mobile apps or on your phone’s web browser. 

Does AI come handy in building AR experiences?

Yes, Use of Artificial Intelligence plugs computer intelligence into the entire user journey to make the experience seamless. Say, a chat bot or an AR bot to guide you through the entire journey will enhance the entire experience many fold.

We integrate self-training AI modules into some experiences which understand Human behaviour and make the journey better.

How Retail Businesses Are Using Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality allows brands to develop smart retail experiences that influence their customers’ perception or buying decisions.

Retailers have traditionally relied on print advertising campaigns or other media to promote products. Being divided in the past, print, media and in-store marketing efforts are merged today into the comprehensive consumer experience via augmented reality.

Retail AR spans from enhancing VM display windows to product Trial experience, from in-store engagement to Smart mirror installations and much more.

Following the trend, augmented reality has emerged as an innovative tool that allows brands to interact with consumers on their mobile devices or on pre-installed set ups. Soon this experience will extend to smart glasses. 

Below examples of AR speak for themselves:

Nescafe Virtual Date

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A fabulous AR portal for the youngsters, where they can walk-in, explore, interact, and also share with loved ones. From writing the name of their loved one on a virtual canvas to watching a shooting star, this Valentine’s Day specific immersive activation was a grandeur. 

Interesting Insight: This pack lead experience increased pack purchase and communicated appropriate content for the right TG

Ponds Influencer campaign amplified by AR

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A gamified Social-AR campaign on Ponds’ new product launch, where users had to move around the Ponds Serum with their face and pop the bubbles containing elements harmful to skin. Bursting bubbles increases “Glow meter” above the user, which when filled gratifies the user with a sparkling glowing skin.

Interesting Insight: User Generated content saw a big jump during this campaign building the much needed hype a brand wants in the initial phase.

Mural in Manhattan

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This Mural on Road Safety in Manhattan comes to life in AR when passers-by scan it via a mobile App, enabling Artists to add another creative layer to their work and elevate the message within the Art and communicate with the world. 

Additional features: Location sensing, mapping the nearby area and taking a selfie with the art are additional features of this experience. 

  1. Medical Team Internal Training for a pharmaceutical brand

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This Micro-gastrointestinal simulation in AR has enabled a Pharma Brand to train their medical teams in research, product development and sales pitches. The Medical team could showcase the introduction of certain microbes and their effects in AR.

What to expect in the coming years?

With the mixed reality glasses recently launched in a big way in India, industries get more opportunities to share immersive & engaging content with its target customers

By 2027 we will see a big jump in AR/VR/ MR/XR content floating around us in our day to day lives using our smartphones and other wearable devices.

Impresario Tech build end-to-end brand campaigns focusing on Pre-purchase consideration or post purchase engagement, in store experience or on-pack brand communications with the use of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed reality, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

These immersive experiences can be built app-free (on web), deployed as special apps, rest on brands’ social media handles or installed physically in retail environments.

Love to guide you through your brand’s transformation journey. 

Write to us at Inquiry@impresariotech.io

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Web 3.0 Tech Fin Tech

A cashless society powered by blockchain technology

Written by : Mosongo Jr on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

Introduction

A cashless society is upon us; the question is simple: when will new technologies transform many industries, and payments are no exception? 

Governments, fintech companies, banks, and merchants are actively looking for ways to improve the payment experience, meet the needs of the unbanked, and curb crime and corruption.

In just a few years, we may see a world without cash. This isn’t some far-fetched idea; countries like Sweden, Finland, and China are already leading the way to a cashless society. And it’s not just small businesses that are making the switch; even major banks like HSBC are getting on board.

So, what does this mean for you? Imagine a world where you can pay for anything with the click of a button. No more waiting in line to buy tickets or groceries. No more fumbling through your pockets for change.

So what are you waiting for? Join the cashless revolution and experience the convenience and security.

You’ve seen the signs. Businesses are refusing to accept cash, your friends are talking about going cashless, and the media is full of stories about the coming cashless revolution.

So, what is the cashless revolution? 

Put simply, it’s a movement towards a society where physical cash and coins are no longer used. Instead, all payments are made through digital means such as virtual currencies like bitcoin, credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments.

There are a number of reasons for this shift. 

Firstly, businesses see going cashless as a way to reduce costs. Cash handling and security cost money, whereas digital payments are much cheaper and easier to manage.

Secondly, many people are choosing to go cashless in order to avoid the hassle of carrying around coins and notes. 

And thirdly, governments and central banks are increasingly seeing a cashless society as a way to improve financial security and reduce crime.

The impact of the cashless economy on consumers and businesses is twofold. 

Firstly, it is a more convenient and faster way to pay for things. You no longer have to fumble for change or fumble with card machines. Instead, you can just scan your phone or contactless card and be on your way.

Secondly, it is more secure. With card fraud on the rise, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their liability. By moving to a cashless system, they can reduce the risk of fraud and protect their customers’ data.

There’s no doubt that a cashless society is becoming more and more prevalent, and blockchain is playing a major role in powering this change. 

Let’s explore some of the ways blockchain is being used to make a cashless society a reality. and why it could be the most used cashless payment method in the coming years.

The blockchain system


Blockchain-based payment systems are secure, efficient, and convenient.
There is no need for third-party intermediaries such as banks, which means transactions can be completed more quickly and at a lower cost. 

Blockchain has also helped more than 2 billion unbanked people by giving them access to digital financial services from which they are currently excluded. Similarly, look at how mobile phones have transformed communications and financial services.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are expected to play a key role in enabling a cashless society. 

While skeptics argue that CBDCs may limit the privacy of our day-to-day transactions, cryptocurrencies offer anonymity and censorship resistance that could help prevent prying eyes from prying into our day-to-day spending habits.

Government agencies can easily add or remove CBDC from user accounts. However, public blockchain payments are immutable, meaning no one can change them or adjust your balance.

Additionally, cryptocurrencies will become a viable alternative to government-issued currencies as cashless societies become a reality across the globe. Crypto assets like bitcoin act as a hedge against currency depreciation, allowing individuals to protect their wealth without relying on central banks or governments.

Another key application of blockchain in a cashless society is in the area of fraud prevention. With traditional payment systems, there is always the risk of fraudulent activities such as identity theft and credit card fraud. 

By using blockchain, businesses can reduce these risks by creating a secure and tamper-proof ledger of all transactions.

Blockchain is playing a major role in powering the emerging cashless revolution. As more and more businesses adopt blockchain-based payment systems and fraud prevention measures, the cashless society will become more and more ubiquitous.


Countries Leading the Cashless Revolution

As the world continues to embrace a cashless future, certain countries are leading the charge by embracing blockchain-based cashless payments. El Salvador took the lead in accepting bitcoin as a legal tender, followed by the Central African Republic, and as of now, the Brazilian government is interested in making bitcoin a legal tender. 

Although Sweden, Finland, and China are at the forefront of the cashless society movement, they aren’t yet using the blockchain to build their cashless payment systems. Most payment systems will move to the blockchain space. 

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO., one of the world’s largest banks, is leading the way. thanks to their generous infrastructure and commitment to innovation.

These developments prove that it’s not only possible but highly likely for our society to become completely cashless in the nearest future, with most payment systems built on the blockchain.

Cultural Barriers to a Cashless World

Despite its numerous advantages, the transition to a cashless society is met with several cultural barriers. It is no secret that some countries may have an inherent distrust of digital payments due to a lack of financial infrastructure or poor monetary policy decisions. 

For example, in some African countries where cash is still used predominantly, people may not trust digital payments and prefer using physical cash instead.

Furthermore, the risks that come with digital payments remain unrecognized by many people, such as fraud and cyber security threats. This lack of understanding of the safety measures also prevents them from transitioning to a cashless society.

Ultimately, for us to move into a future where blockchain is at the forefront of payment technology, it is important to first overcome these cultural barriers by educating people and providing more secure payment systems.

What does the future hold for a cashless society?

As we move deeper into the 21st century, it is clear that the digital age is ushering in a new era of cashless transactions and financial freedom. The advent of blockchain technology is at the forefront of this revolution, allowing individuals to make payments quickly and securely with little risk of fraud or theft. 

Moving to a cashless society has its advantages, from increasing efficiency to being more accessible for those without access to traditional banking services. But it also presents some unique challenges, from potential cybersecurity risks to a lack of privacy for consumers.

Despite these possible drawbacks, experts agree that the advantages outweigh any potential pitfalls. As more countries adopt blockchain-based payment systems and move away from physical cash, we can expect to see increased convenience and security for consumers around the world. With the right infrastructure in place and necessary safeguards taken, the future looks incredibly bright for a cashless society powered by blockchain.

Conclusion

On the path to a cashless society, policymakers need to agree on a framework to drive the process forward. However, access to technology is one of the biggest factors in determining how quickly different parts of the world move away from cash. The transition from cash will only go smoothly if most people are familiar with digital payments. However, this is already a reality in many parts of the world.

Society is going cashless, and cashless transfers will soon become the preferred option over time. There are many benefits to going cashless. Going cashless not only makes life easier but also helps to verify and standardize the transactions that are made.

In a nutshell, a cashless society powered by blockchain technology is possible because of the features of blockchain, such as transparency, security, and immutability.

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Law Tech Web 3.0 Tech

“Law and technology produce, together, a kind of regulation of creativity”

Lawrence Lessig

Written by : Sophie N. Ngouakang on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

Sophie N. Ngouakang is the managing partner of Tchinsop Law Firm & founder of “Veritas Bitcoin”. My love for innovation has led me to combine interests in technology and law practicing in a tech-related area of law such as Blockchain which to me is very promising than other law specialties. (No offense to my law colleagues with different interests). That is what I decided to do and have been doing for quite some time.   

When it comes to law and technology, one could ask several questions among which – if laws will ultimately have to change to keep up with modern tech or tech will have to adapt to keep in line with the law, considering for instance that many terms and conditions on apps are agreed to by minors?

Minors agreeing to apps is another issue. Parents have an obligation to control what their minor children access. From time-to-time parents have gotten out of financial harm caused by their minor children spending money on apps, but it isn’t always a sure thing. There is a law about collecting information about children under the age of 13, but there isn’t much behind it since the children invariably check the boxes that say their parents have provided permission.

Laws constantly change to keep up with technology. Unfortunately, they often change too slowly. A good example of that would be the failure of the many governments to enact meaningful reforms related to privacy as technology has become more invasive. Habitually, in the law, we adjust the language of things we write or our approaches to conflict resolutions based on changes in technology. 

However, sometimes the law does not address underlying problems and without amendments to existing laws or new laws it is difficult to resolve problems, both criminal, commercial, and civil, within the legal system.

Technology is only as good as the purpose for which we use and not necessarily for which it was intended. It’s essential to state that technology therefore, can’t be considered as a neutral tool since it all depends on how it is used.

Humans abuse tools more often than the intended designer would prefer. Like screwdrivers being used as murder weapons, the technology is not neutral because human operators are not neutral.

The most spoken about technology in recent times seems to be the Blockchain technology.

Blockchain is a decentralized, peer to peer, immutable storage network which is censor free and regulator free because of the absence of one single controlling entity.

Every transaction that is written is voted upon by a majority of nodes and changing something which was written before in the chain is computationally very difficult.   

When blockchain matures to the point of being “the law”, the difference will be that “what happened when” will not take up as large a part of court hearings as today. Also, many disputes will not ever reach court because of more automatic settlements occurring before, as contracts automatically settle when parameters are breached.

You will probably see many systems of law competing for adherents, they will all have to somehow interface with the legacy system until the legacy system either innovates to compete or is abandoned in favor of better regimes.

Criminal, corporate and civil law firms will need to develop an understanding of how cryptocurrencies can be used to facilitate transfers of value worldwide, which will inevitably creep into cases of all kinds as it becomes clear that currencies like bitcoin are here to stay.

As it becomes established case law, there will also be increasing numbers of things where the incorporation of information into a blockchain becomes proof that the information existed or that something happened at that point in time.

Some countries have been much better about dealing with this technology than others as far as amending laws and/or passing new ones are concerned. El Salvador for example being the first country to legalize bitcoin as legal tender. 

I think joining the tech-space with a legal background is always a plus and the inputs one can bring are countless. The first contribution that one can do is for “Smart Contracts”. 

Smart Contracts are executable code that get executed upon the activation of an event in a contract.

I always encourage persons with an interest in law and technology to get an understanding of “Smart contracts” as I see a great demand for people in the near future. We will always rely on human cooperation to uphold the law.

As an illustration, if a person defaulted continuously on his rent payment for 3 months, a smart contract has the power to remotely lock the appartement.

Taking the comparison in the real-world contracts, the Terms & Conditions for a lease agreement would have been drafted by the Attorney of the landlord that exists on paper. In case of default in the payment of rents, although the clause gets invoked, the landlord would still have to serve the tenant a notice to quit, before confiscating the keys to the appartement.

With a “Smart Contract”, it is automated. Indeed, technology and law together produce a kind of creative regulation unprecedented in history, as Lawrence pointed out.

In the end, laws change over time. We see that constantly. For example, we didn’t always have cars. Then we didn’t have cars that went very fast. Now look at all the laws related to building, owning, and operating cars. 

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Web 3.0 Tech

Use of Cryptocurrencies : sites to avoid

Written by : joel nzoda  on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

To compose this list of 8154 scams exploiting the reputation of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies , I have crossed several sources, in particular the testimonials of our readers and the lists of the  HYPERLINK “https://www.amf-france.org/Epargne-Info-Service/Proteger-son-epargne/Listes-noires”AMF , CryptoFR , the House of Bitcoin , buy1bitcoin.fr , warning-trading.com , adcfrance.fr , cryptoscambuster , scambitcoin.com , investment-scam.com and badbitcoin.org  HYPERLINK “https://badbitcoin.org/thebadlist/index.php”.

The list obtained by this merger is not exhaustive and may contain errors. If you would like to help me improve it by adding new sites or by alerting me to an abusive report, do not hesitate to contact me and/or leave your comments at the bottom of this article.

Below are both pyramid schemes, fake “bitcoin faucets” and a large number of scams related to investing in cryptocurrencies (fake exchanges, fake brokers) or “ mining ”.

Although it is obvious that some projects listed (for example) on Coinmarketcap are, to a greater or lesser degree, scams, I have chosen not to include cryptocurrencies in this list.

On the same subject, see also the thread devoted to fake exchange platforms on cryptoFR , the Scam Accusations ” section of the Bitcointalk forum and our advice for buying  HYPERLINK “https://bitcoin.fr/comment-acheter-des-bitcoins-sans-se-faire-escroquer/”bitcoins  HYPERLINK “https://bitcoin.fr/comment-acheter-des-bitcoins-sans-se-faire-escroquer/”without being scammed .

To search click cmd+F (on mac), or ctrl+F (on Windows) then type the name of the website in the search field.

  • 01crypto.com – 01crypto.net – 07ct.com – 0on.info – 0xbitcoincash.io
  • 1-9-90.com – 1-hash.com – 10×11.biz – 100-3x.com – 100-btc.com – 1000000satoshi.weebly.com – 1000eclats.c

Find out more / Bitcoin / cryptocurrencies : sites to avoid – bitcoin.fr

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Web 3.0 Tech

How to buy cryptocurrencies?

Written by : Joel nzoda on  Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

You can buy via:

stock exchanges that automate the market and maintain accounts in euros for their clients.

In France, they must be backed by an institution with a payment service provider license (credit institution, electronic money institution or payment institution) issued by the ACPR.


– over-the-counter platforms that connect buyers and sellers. To limit thefts and scams, these platforms sequester the bitcoins exchanged and offer a system for evaluating players. 


DEXs (Decentralized Exchanges), over-the-counter platforms that replace the trusted third party with a smart contract.


brokers who act as intermediaries between stock exchanges and buyers. 


exchange counters: Brokers who sell bitcoins in a given physical space, often with support for novice customers.

The exchange fees are given here for information only from the information displayed by the exchanges and most often based on a bank transfer.

Afficher l’image source


Please note:
The fees only concern buyers and can be very different for sellers; – on the same platform, the overall cost can vary considerably depending on the volume traded, the trading mode (maker / taker ) and above all the means of payment , bank transfer being preferred for a lower cost. 


– there may be hidden charges such as withdrawal fees; – the reference price may vary from broker to broker.

Liquidity: For the largest exchanges I have added an indication (ranging from + to +++) on liquidity, this is an indication to take into consideration if you wish to trade large volumes at the best price.

 Learn more: Buy bitcoins – bitcoin.fr

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What do Cryptocurrency miners calculate?

Written by : joel nzoda on  Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

Miners perform cryptographic hashes (two successive SHA256) on what is called a block header. For each new hash, the mining software uses a different random number called the nonce. The nonce is an integer value with 32 bits of memory allocated to it.

This means that it is limited to only around 4 billion possibilities, which with the network’s current hashing power is largely insufficient. We therefore add in the hash timestamp of the block in Posix time , constantly updated. Another variable element on which minors can play: the arrangement of transactions.

Including the block number, timestamp, nonce, block data and hash of the previous block, the hash produced will look like this:

93ef6f358fbb998c60802496863052290d4c63735b7fe5bdaac821de96a53a9a

This hash can be converted into a very long number. (It is a hexadecimal number, which means that the letters AF are the numbers 10-15). To make mining difficult, there is something called target difficulty.

To create a valid block, a miner must find a hash that is below the target difficulty. For example, if the difficulty is:

10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

any number that starts with a zero would be accepted and considered below target. Example:

0787a6fd6e0782f7f8058fbef45f5c17fe89086ad4e78a1520d06505acb4522f

If we decrease the target to:

01000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

we need a number starting with two zeros:

00db27957bd0ba06a5af9e6c81226d74312a7028cf9a08fa125e49f15cae4979

Because the target is a bulky number with many digits, a simpler number is usually used to express the current target. This number is called the mining difficulty. Mining difficulty is scaled to the first block created. Which means that a difficulty of 70,000 means 70,000 times more computing power than it took Satoshi Nakamoto to generate the first block, when he was the only miner and only using the CPU of a computer.Afficher l’image source

When mining a block, miners include a timestamp in the block. Since 2016, this ” timestamp ” allows the network to adjust to the passage of time by calculating the median time spent (MTP), that is to say the median of the timestamps of the last 11 blocks. To be valid, a timestamp cannot be more than two hours in the future relative to the node’s subjective time.

The difficulty changes every 2016 block. The network adjusts the difficulty so that the generation time of these 2016 blocks is 14 days, regardless of the computing power deployed.

Therefore, the difficulty follows the power of the network. The adjustment algorithm is as follows: if the time measured in the period of 2016 blocks is less than 20,160 minutes (expected time), then the difficulty increases to comply with the assumed computing power; if it is higher, then the difficulty decreases. Retargeting is limited to a factor of 4 (multiplication as division) to avoid instabilities.

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Here’s what you don’t know about cryptocurrency mining

Written by : joel nzoda on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

Bitcoin transactions are secured. To this end, miners perform mathematical calculations for the Bitcoin network with their computer equipment.

As a reward for their services, they collect the newly minted bitcoins along with the fees from the transactions they confirm. It is halved approximately every four years. On May 11, 2020, this reward increased to 6.25 bitcoins per block.

Miners (or miners’ cooperatives ) are in competition and their income is proportional to the computing power deployed.

“To describe mining, one could use the example of a gigantic sudoku contest where participants start a new grid as soon as someone finds a solution, and whose difficulty adjusts so that on average a grid is resolved every ten minutes. Imagine a giant sudoku grid, with several thousand rows and columns. It would be quite easy to verify that a completed grid is well filled. But […] it will take a lot of work to finish it! The difficulty of the grids can be adjusted by changing their sizes […], but they can still be checked easily even if they are very large. The puzzles to be solved in the bitcoin network are based on cryptographic hashes and have the same characteristics as these sudoku grids: they are very difficult to solve but it is very easy to verify that a solution is correct, and their difficulty can be adjusted. –Andreas M. Antonopoulos.

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How to mine bitcoins? In Europe

Written by : joel nzoda on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

Bitcoin mining is rarely a profitable business for individuals. Bitcoin ‘s popularity has generated huge competition which makes it inaccessible.

Most often only industrial sites manage to profit from this activity. Before you venture into this adventure, I invite you to read the (already old) testimony of Greg Ryder and to visit the space dedicated to mining on the Bitcointalk forum .

Note in passing the existence of companies that practice the “cloud mining and sell computing capacity to their customers who receive in exchange the fractions of mined bitcoins, after deduction of management fees. Be careful though, some services are often very disappointing, when it’s not just pure scams. In general, even if practiced seriously, cloud mining is rarely profitable.

Practiced on French (or European) soil, cryptocurrency mining is only recommended for people who have, for domestic purposes, their own green electricity generator (solar, wind, geothermal, hydraulic) without having the possibility of reselling production surpluses on the public network.

Another possibility to make mining rational in France is to use the heat produced to produce hot water, this is the proposal of the French startup WiseMining.

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Logistic & Travel Tech Web 3.0 Tech

What is virtual reality and why are aged care providers embracing it?

Written by : Colin Pudsey on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

If you’ve been looking around at new ways to support your residents, chances are you’ve heard the words “virtual reality” being offered as a new idea. Maybe you’ve even seen pictures of people wearing headsets and waving their arms about.

But what is virtual reality, or VR, and why is it making such an impact in the aged care space?

Immersive beyond belief

Virtual reality is a simulated environment that looks and feels incredibly realistic. A key tool for using VR, is the headset, which allows you to explore this digital space by looking up, down and all around you. Unlike a computer or tablet which has a fixed field view, virtual reality adapts to your head movements to immerse you in a rich 360-degree, 3D environment.

This means that putting on a virtual reality headset feels like stepping into a completely different world. But the big question is, what can you do in this immersive virtual space?

The impossible becomes possible

Anything you can imagine! For the adrenaline seekers, how about skydiving, swimming with dolphins, or racing in an F1 car? For those looking for a calmer escape, maybe chilling out on the beach, exploring a tropical rainforest, or visiting a museum?

The technology is limitless, and it can even allow us to experience things that are impossible – a trip to mars perhaps? Or walking around the interior of the Titanic? VR can make that happen too.

That all sounds fun, but we’re talking about older adults here. Why would care providers be so keen to take their care recipients out of the four walls of a facility (virtually)?

Virtual experiences with clinical benefits

The answer lies in research, and whilst these experiences are certainly fun for all ages – they’re anything but frivolous. 

Virtual reality experiences have been shown to improve the quality of life in older adults. 

Participants in an American study were “less socially isolated… less likely to show signs of depression” and “feeling better about their overall wellbeing”. Another study from Taiwan revealed that VR “can provide older adults with the confidence to get involved in social activities”.

So, it’s clear that VR can have a range of positive impacts on care recipients. But the most exciting benefits of all, are linked to who we are as individuals.

A personal journey

Imagine being able to visit a childhood home, a church you were married in or a place you went on holidays with your family? For those of us born overseas, what about taking a journey back to experience familiar sights and sounds, and reconnect with your culture? Maybe a faith-based pilgrimage or personal spiritual practice?

VR is at its best when it’s partnered with a deep understanding of the individual and what’s important to them and that’s how innovative care providers are getting the most out of VR.

By building upon their strong connections with the individual, carers can deliver meaningful personalized experiences that leverage the power of VR to connect to identity.

For all walks of life

No matter what stage of life an individual is at, virtual reality may provide engagement, excitement, and an opportunity for connection.

Particularly for those of us supporting a loved one with dementia, as VR has been shown to “positively affect the cognitive and physical functioning of those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia”.

And what could be more important for someone living with dementia, than to reconnect them to their true self, their culture, and their loved ones. Now we’re really pushing the dial with “joy”!

Sometimes what’s important isn’t a clinical benefit…

Going beyond the clinical

What is immediately apparent when you try on a VR headset is that it’s like magic. Whilst there may be benefits in wellbeing and cognitive function, it’s an experience to bring wonder, enjoyment, and positive emotions and this can be supercharged when sharing the same experience in a group VR setting.

Any tool that can help bring significant and measurable joy, happiness, and excitement to the life of care recipients is one that’s worth exploring.

Ultimately, that might be the driving factor in the growing use of VR in the aged care space, a growth that’s led by innovative companies.

Changing Lives through Virtual Reality

Melbourne based virtual reality startup, SilVR Adventures, has been taking care of recipients on shared virtual reality experiences since 2019. 

Providing a turnkey VR solution to care providers across Australia and New Zealand, they enable care team members to take people with a variety of needs on immersive, group VR experiences.

Our content focuses on storytelling, emotional journeys and reminiscence therapy. We want to build engaging and inspiring experiences for older adults, no matter what stage of life they’re at.

With the largest library of world tours, spiritual journeys, and bucket list events, we’re experimenting with new ways to engage care recipients. But the real magic happens when the headset comes off.

Creating meaningful connections

The most powerful moments in working with VR are the social connections it stimulates.

“We’ve found that the winning formula is taking people on adventures together. They’ll have an amazing time travelling the world or experiencing something brand new, then the headsets come off and they’re chatting about where they went, where they want to go to next and sharing memories and stories from the past. It’s incredible to watch!”

And it’s clear that aged care providers agree too, with some around Australia establishing weekly ‘Travel Clubs’ to build camaraderie and friendship through shared experience across multiple sites.

We’re super excited to be able to connect up to 40 participants around the world in a shared virtual reality experience, then have them meet in a digital space afterwards like our virtual café and chat about it.

The ability to link people couldn’t have come at a better time with restrictions and lockdowns significantly increasing feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression among our elders.

The future of the technology

Virtual reality has made great strides in the past few years, but it still has an exciting journey ahead. With companies like Facebook and Google making big investments in the space, it’s clear that the technology will continue to grow and develop.

There’s room to grow in the personal care space too, with VR companies pivoting away from residential facilities and beginning to offer services to be used in home care too.

“So far there’s nothing on offer for people in the home, that’s why SilVR Adventures is thrilled to be launching our home care solution in 2021. We’ll be able to support older adults aging in place with enhanced connections and deliver meaningful virtual adventures, in their own home – and that’s something to get excited about.

A rich and incredible virtual world

As we head towards 2023, there is still a lot of uncertainty, but whatever happens it’s clear that we need to find new ways to stay connected and engaged, and that couldn’t be truer for those of us receiving care.

Leading aged care providers around Australia are increasingly turning to the immersive power of VR as a potential tool for reducing isolation, improving wellbeing, and strengthening connections. 

Very soon personal carers in the home will be taking this technology for a spin too.

Watch a video to see how our seniors are enjoying themselves with the new found Virtual reality – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYDr9PAQLMw

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Web 3.0 Tech

INTRODUCTION TO BLOCKCHAIN AND METAVERSE

Written by : joel nzoda on Digilah (Tech Thought Leadership)

GOALS

    • Define blockchain
    • Characterize a blockchain
    • Usefulness of blockchains
    • Web 3.0 and the Metaverse
    • NFT or non-fungible tokens and their usefulness

BLOCKCHAIN 

Developed from 2008, blockchain is, first and foremost, a technology for storing and transmitting information. This technology offers high standards of transparency and security because it works without a central control body. More concretely, the blockchain allows its networked users to share data without an intermediary.

Source : https://www.jlconsulting.fr/media/BS_20190614_BlockChain.png

CHARACTERIZE A BLOCKCHAIN

In practice, a blockchain is a database that contains the history of all exchanges made between its users since its creation. Its main characteristics are:

    • The identification of each part is carried out by a cryptographic process

    • The transaction is sent to a network (or storage “node”) of computers located around the world.

    • Each “node” hosts a copy of the database in which the history of the transactions carried out is recorded. All stakeholders can access it simultaneously

    • The security system is based on a consensus mechanism of all the “nodes” each time information is added. Data is encrypted and authenticated by “data centers” or “miners”. The transaction thus validated is added to the database in the form of a block of encrypted data (this is the “block” in blockchain)

    • Decentralized security management prevents transaction tampering. Each new block added to the blockchain is linked to the previous one and a copy is transmitted to all the “nodes” of the network. The integration is chronological, indelible, and tamper-proof.

Source : https://www.economie.gouv.fr/files/files/2019/infog-block-chain.jpg

USEFULNESS OF BLOCKCHAINS

The blockchain represents a major innovation that is used in particular in the banking sector. Indeed, historically, blockchain technology was developed to support transactions carried out via cryptocurrencies/crypto-assets (including bitcoins which are the most well-known form) and which have the main characteristic of not depending on an organization centralizer (like a central bank) and to be international.

But its use is not limited to cryptocurrencies. Many fields and sectors of activity, commercial or non-commercial, public or private, already use the blockchain or plan to do so in the years to come. The uses of blockchains and other technologies include:

    • In the banking sector, technology opens up the possibility of validating transactions without the intermediary of a clearing house, which should make it possible to certify transactions in much shorter timeframes. The blockchain can also promote the sharing of information between competing players in a financial centre while respecting the secrecy of their commercial data and, in doing so, facilitate the management of common structures or instruments by reducing contact costs and administration fees.

    • In the insurance sector, the contribution of the blockchain is due, for example, to the automation of reimbursement procedures and the alleviation of certain formalities at the expense of companies and their customers, provided that the assumptions and conditions of compensation and damage are clearly established.

    • In the logistics sector, the blockchain has two interests:

    • ensure product traceability, as well as the memory of the various interventions on a production and distribution chain.

    • reduce formalities and create the conditions for cooperation between actors in a sector, particularly in terms of information exchange. This use could also find an application in the agri-food sector for food traceability, particularly interesting in the event of a health crisis.

    • In the energy sector, by authorizing the exchange of services and values outside a central management body, the blockchain potentially creates the conditions for implementation on a more or less large scale depending on the technical capacities of local networks. production, exchange and resale of energy to balance supply and demand at all times, which is a major constraint for electricity networks in particular.

But many sectors are potentially affected by the use of blockchain technology: health, real estate, luxury, aeronautics, etc.

Using blockchain has many benefits, including:

    • The speed of transactions thanks to the fact that the validation of a block takes only a few seconds to a few minutes.
    • Security of the system, which is ensured by the fact that the validation is carried out by a set of different users, who do not know each other. This protects against the risk of malicious intent or hijacking, since the nodes monitor the system and check each other
    • The productivity and efficiency gains generated by the fact that the blockchain entrusts the organization of exchanges to a computer protocol. This mechanically reduces the transaction or centralization costs existing in traditional systems (financial costs, control or certification, use of intermediaries who are remunerated for their service; automation of certain services, etc.).

WEB 3.0 AND THE METAVERSE

As conversations began to shift from Bitcoin (BTC) to other larger crypto projects such as Ethereum network upgrades and central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, media coverage would suggest that widespread adoption of crypto is already well advanced. But it is clear that the majority of people do not know what it is.

The Metaverse (in English) or Métavers (in French) is a generic term for technologies that make it possible to create an entire (virtual) digital universe like our real universe. This universe can be extremely detailed and include a wide variety of different worlds, often also called virtual environments. People can join this Metaverse using different technologies and interact with each other. However, instead of being present in person, the user creates an avatar which is their representation in the Metaverse.

Source : https://i0.wp.com/stylistme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Metaverse-guide-tuto.png?w=1280 HYPERLINK “https://i0.wp.com/stylistme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Metaverse-guide-tuto.png?w=1280&ssl=1″& HYPERLINK “https://i0.wp.com/stylistme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Metaverse-guide-tuto.png?w=1280&ssl=1″ssl=1

However, the Metaverse doesn’t just want to be a massively multiplayer open-world gaming platform (RPG MMO). It is already beginning to be a virtual space where people work, earn money (by spending it), meet people, and invest in real estate. In short, where you can live another life.

Technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are important levers for the Metaverse, as they will help create an incredible sense of immersion in another’s skin and in another universe. However, there is one project that may well facilitate mainstream adoption of crypto: Web3.

To better understand the evolution of these two technologies, an illustration between Web2 and Web3 as support for the Metaverse.

Source: https://i0.wp.com/stylistme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Web-3.0-evolution-Internet.jpg?w=1024 HYPERLINK “https://i0.wp.com/stylistme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Web-3.0-evolution-Internet.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1″& HYPERLINK “https://i0.wp.com/stylistme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Web-3.0-evolution-Internet.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1″ssl=1

NFTs (NON FUNGIBLE TOKENS ) AND THEIR USES 

NFT are the three initials of Non-Fungible Token, which translates to non-fungible token. That doesn’t necessarily make things any clearer. Therefore we must detail the notion of “non-fungible”.

For example, bitcoins or €100 bills are fungible. Even though each note is unique, it will have exactly the same value as another €100 note. The first mined bitcoin, no matter what platform it is on or who owns it, is the same value as a recently mined bitcoin stored in another wallet.

Conversely, works of art or concert tickets are non-fungible. Something that is not fungible cannot be replaced or divided. It’s unique. They are objects of the same nature, but which have their own characteristics and their own usefulness.

We talk about “tokens” when they are digital units, which are exchanged with blockchain technology: 3D visuals, objects in a video game, or even a piece of land in a fictional universe.

The NFT can therefore be defined as follows: it is the digital title of ownership of a non-fungible token. NFTs can be classified into different categories according to their nature and usefulness:

    • collectibles: a collection of digital objects, or a work of art for example.
    • metaverses: virtual worlds.
    • online gaming tokens.
    • utilities: they provide a service to their owner.

Some NTFs may belong to more than one category. They are traded on online marketplaces dedicated to NFTs, connected to the blockchain.

                                                                                                           The value criteria of an NFT: This young technology has a future ahead of it, but it could lead to some abuses. Many investors seek to speculate on this trend which, although it is a resounding success, is still very volatile and full of scams. The vast majority of sold works and NFT projects will never have value, simply because no one wants them.

Some NFTs have artistic value: They are works valued independently of the fact that they are digital, in the same way as a painting in a museum. The blockchain does not have a preponderant role in the evaluation of their price, it is simply the art market. Overall, price is defined by what an artist’s fan is willing to invest.

The value of an NFT can also depend on its usefulness: Becoming a member of a club, meeting other holders or the artist himself, being more powerful in a video game, acquiring and showing a certain social status, etc. .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

My name is Joel Nzoda Consultant in Digital Marketing, Junior Blockchain Developer, Junior cyber Security Consultant and Expert in blockchain technologies. I hope I have been able to bring value to each other, I remain attentive. Discover my activities on social networks.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/boschdigital I Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/nzodax

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nzodax I Facebook: https://facebook.com/nzodax

Medium: https://medium.com/agencedigitalenzodax I Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/nzodax

Tumbr: https://tumbr.com/superexpertdigital I Email joelnzoda@gamail.com I Whatsapp: +237693241257

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Hello readers! Hope you liked what you read today. Click the like button at the bottom of this page and share insights with your colleagues and friends!

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