2016: The best of Mint’s technology stories

Technology is anything that wasn’t around when you were born,” are the words of computer scientist Alan Kay. And these words ring true more than ever, as we hurtle towards the end of the year 2016. This year, our technology coverage was dictated by smartphones and the entire ecosystem around it, as well as the need to capture new trends such as the rise of artificial intelligence, the concept of cord cutting and how apps are our fall-back option for almost every task. Here are the top technology stories Mint published in 2016.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Tony Stark moment

Nothing perhaps signifies the rise of artificial intelligence more than Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg developing a AI based personal assistant for his home. Called Jarvis, it is able to respond to text and voice commands which could involve asking it to play music, turn on the air conditioning, open doors and even recognize visitors.

Google’s Pixel gamble is working

When Google unveiled the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones in October, there was a lingering sense of déjà vu, considering the fact that we had seen all this before. The numbers seem to suggest that has indeed been a successful evolution of Google’s smartphone ecosystem.

Is your smartphone the next television?

When was the last time you actually sat down to watch television? The younger demographic, with their smartphones, have found the TV fix on their phones and tablets. The video streaming services are perfectly poised to corner a large chunk of smartphone users.

Turn a new page on the go

Avid readers don’t like to be away from their books, whether it be the commute to work or a quick coffee break in the afternoon. Not to forget those who rely on the depths of the World Wide Web for high-quality, long-form stories. Chances are, you are already carry a smartphone, and some fine apps get you close to the reading fix.

Google Allo stands out in the Whatsapp crowd

Google Allo, the latest instant messenger app, is getting the smart features spot on, thanks to artificial intelligence. But, has that been enough to convince your friends to switch allegiances?

Which iPhone should you buy?

Currently, there are as many as eight iPhone options to choose from, including the latest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. If you are confused by the plethora of options at your disposal, here’s a ready reckoner to help you identify which iPhone would work best for you.

Must-have photo and video apps for your phone

With the perfect camera and editing apps, your smartphone’s photography capabilities get a boost you couldn’t have otherwise imagined.

Best big battery Android smartphones for professionals

Users who depend heavily on their smartphone for work or entertainment purpose tend to charge their phones multiple times a day, either with a portable battery bank or by plugging in the charger. This is where getting a smartphone with a big battery can really help.

Make your digital payments and transactions secure

Demonetisation and the subsequent cash crunch has compelled people to use their debit or credit cards. Many are using payment wallets such as FreeCharge and Paytm to avoid using their cards all the time.

A guide to smartphone camera jargon

All the megapixel, ISO, sensor, aperture etc. terminology that gets thrown around when talking about smartphone cameras does one thing perfectly—it confuses the buyer even more. We simply the complication, with the primer.