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"home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Home.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Spotlight.jpg", "home_feature" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "index_mini" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "index_result" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2017-01-24 00:00:00", "byline" => "", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p class="normal">A lot of today's technology has the potential to make your life easier. 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Along with food and entertainment, you can get people to come to your home and clean out your gutters, pick up your parcels or solve your computer problems. </p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2017-01-17 16:43:58", "modified" => "2017-01-17 16:43:58", "url" => "fed24b4f", "short_id" => "fed24b4f", "url_part_2" => "Technology_that_will_make_your_life_easier", "total_views" => "973", "intro" => "<p class="normal"><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_insert.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2017-01-24", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "60", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Technology", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TechnologyEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "98", "tag_ad2" => "99", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:23:35" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $story_tagline = "" $story = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "4089", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "60", "headline" => "Technology that will make your life easier", "headline_home" => "Technology that will make your life easier ", "headline_index" => "Technology that will make your life easier ", "meta_keywords" => "", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Home.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Spotlight.jpg", "home_feature" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "index_mini" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "index_result" => "/probus/files/January_2017/technology/Tech_Index.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2017-01-24 00:00:00", "byline" => "", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p class="normal">A lot of today's technology has the potential to make your life easier. 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For best results, make sure you speak clearly and naturally, use full names and say only voice control commands, names and numbers.</p> <h2 class="normal"><strong>A universal remote</strong></h2> <p class="normal">Universal remotes allow you to control everything in one go – from your TV, to your music player, to your DVD player. They are easy to set up and there are many different types, so there will be one that is compatible with the devices you have. The more recent, sleeker remotes even have touch screens, and you can get ones with extra-large or sensitive buttons for the visually or mobility-impaired.</p> <h2 class="normal"><strong>Tracking device</strong></h2> <p class="normal">If you are constantly losing your phone or keys, then a tracking device will be your new favourite gadget. They typically consist of a phone case, an app, and a number of tags that can be attached to any item of your choice. You simply attach one of the tags to an item, and if it is lost the tracking system will help you relocate it. Some tracking devices will even notify you if you are too far away from an item.</p> <h2 class="normal"><strong>Automated transport</strong></h2> <p class="normal">Self-driving cars already exist, but this year will see conventional car manufacturers jumping on the trend. Volvo has announced their plan to release self-driving cars to public roads by the end of 2017. And Nissan and BMW are smartening up their systems, with autonomous driving features such as lane-assist, cruise control and automated parking already common in newer vehicles. </p> <h2 class="normal"><strong>On-demand services</strong></h2> <p class="normal">The success of Uber has created an on-demand economy – but it’s not just for transport. There is now a delivery service for practically anything you can think of. 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No stories were found.
Technology that will make your life easier
24 Jan 2017
Technology is evolving at a rapid pace. It’s easy to think these changes are nothing more than an added complication, but the reality is a lot of tech has the potential to make your life easier. Here are a few gadgets that could make your days that little bit more convenient.
Voice control
Available on most smartphones, voice-activated software allows you to control your phone via voice command. It can be used for many purposes, from calling someone to helping you with directions. For best results, make sure you speak clearly and naturally, use full names and say only voice control commands, names and numbers.
A universal remote
Universal remotes allow you to control everything in one go – from your TV, to your music player, to your DVD player. They are easy to set up and there are many different types, so there will be one that is compatible with the devices you have. The more recent, sleeker remotes even have touch screens, and you can get ones with extra-large or sensitive buttons for the visually or mobility-impaired.
Tracking device
If you are constantly losing your phone or keys, then a tracking device will be your new favourite gadget. They typically consist of a phone case, an app, and a number of tags that can be attached to any item of your choice. You simply attach one of the tags to an item, and if it is lost the tracking system will help you relocate it. Some tracking devices will even notify you if you are too far away from an item.
Automated transport
Self-driving cars already exist, but this year will see conventional car manufacturers jumping on the trend. Volvo has announced their plan to release self-driving cars to public roads by the end of 2017. And Nissan and BMW are smartening up their systems, with autonomous driving features such as lane-assist, cruise control and automated parking already common in newer vehicles.
On-demand services
The success of Uber has created an on-demand economy – but it’s not just for transport. There is now a delivery service for practically anything you can think of. Along with food and entertainment, you can get people to come to your home and clean out your gutters, pick up your parcels or solve your computer problems.
®