Category: Tech Talks

Beginner’s guide to car audio systems

Introduction 

 

Good sound or good music has the ability to delight your soul. A good audio system in your car is pure eargasm while on the move. If you’re new to the world of car audio systems, check out our article on how the in-car infotainment system evolved with time here and they seem to have become more sophisticated with each passing year. 

Almost everyone has different opinions on car audio systems, and some people love the look of their factory stereo. If you have a late model car with an integrated infotainment system, upgrading the stereo can be difficult. In either case, there are several ways to improve a factory sound system.

 

One interesting thing about upgrading your car audio is that there’s no right way or wrong way to go about it, in fact, the best thing about upgrading factory audio systems is that almost any component you replace will at least represent a marginal improvement.

 

The guide to “car audio” starts with an understanding of what each component contributes to the overall audio experience you have. But it’s important to be able to identify the pitfalls that you notice in your car audio, then know the right fix for each problem.

However, no matter how many complexities arise in the technological aspect, a car audio system only has three basic components. So if you’re considering upgrading your car’s audio system, keep in mind that the components listed below are the ones you must include.

 

If you are going by the budget-conscious piecemeal route, then you must plan on how you want the final system to look and sound like. If you do that, you’ll end up with components that work pretty well together.

There are many options when you build a car infotainment system from the ground up, so people who have never performed this task may shy away from that sort of drastic change.

Now, if you dive in, consider the types of features you want your car to sound like.

If you’re working on a tight budget, you can do some things to improve the sound quality. You can even replace components one at a time, depending on what your speculated budget permits, and eventually, you’ll have a completely custom car sound system.

 

Know the main components!

Head Units

 

This is the brain behind everything. In the beginning, head units were simply radio tuners which, as time went by, became proficient in providing audio signals from cassette tapes and CD players. In the modern-day vehicles, the head unit is often integrated into its entire “infotainment system”, which is the central console that also often houses climate controls and provides navigation.

Today, most head units have USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc to connect other devices and play digital music, built-in satellite and Internet capabilities, and whatnot.

 

Now it is entirely up to you what you want in your car. 

Either way, we advise you to end up with a head unit that is capable of powering the speakers. You can also go for a head unit with pre-amp outputs and an amplifier capable of fully powering the speakers.

 

Speakers

 

It’s an old rule of thumb, but it remains true: even the best car stereo won’t sound great on lousy speakers. If your car’s stock car audio system shows distortion, lacks clarity during high-frequency ranges, and blasts hollow bass notes, you may improve the sound system in your vehicle with a worthwhile speaker upgrade.

If your car only has two or four-speaker slots, they are probably coaxial speakers, which means a single speaker head features both the woofer and a tweeter. The easiest way to replace them is with better coaxial speakers, preferably made with more superior materials. 

 

A decent set of front speakers might only set you back less than ten grand. Component speakers provide even better sound, but that’s a complicated upgrade that’s better paired with a new car stereo.

Discrete speaker components sound even better because the tweeters and woofers operate separately, producing greater sound clarity. But this upgrade often requires cutting new speaker mounts, complex rewiring, and other actions best performed by a technician, an experienced installer of sound systems for cars.

 

At least four speakers make up most car audio systems, although you can play with various configurations that will allow you to add more.

 

There are several types of speakers, including coaxial, component, and subwoofers. A coaxial speaker is one unit that houses both the tweeter, which takes care of the treble or higher range notes and the woofer, which deals with the Bass or the lower to mid-range frequencies. On the other hand, component speakers are simply a set of speakers that separate the woofer and the tweeters. Subwoofers, meanwhile, are designed to reproduce Bass and sub-bass that is typically lower than what a woofer can generate.

 

More often than not, car owners prefer upgrading the speakers that come with their car because its sound quality is often poor. Go for speakers that are constructed better and are usually made of cloth and foam. Some excellent speakers have rubber, metal, silk, and other synthetic materials. Car owners can enjoy full-bodied Bass, pristine sound in high-frequency ranges, and a lack of distortion with these speakers.

 

Amplifiers 

 

Turning up the volume.

If you’re concerned about high volume, an amplifier is still an essential component you need to add to your system. You’ll probably need an amp with speaker-level inputs if you’re leaving the factory stereo in place, but some premium factory fitted head units come with line-level outputs.

It’s easy to overpower the speakers when you add a powerful amplifier to a factory sound system. With that in mind, consider upgrading the speakers first if you want to crank up the volume all the way blasting out of the windows. 

 

As mentioned above, the speakers receive the audio signal from the amplifier and serve as the output devices that in turn convert the electrical energy of that signal into sound. 

 

Despite what we said above about having great speakers, it’s also quite true that great speakers only sound as good as their amplifier. You may get an uplift in quality with new speakers alone. Still, discrete car audio systems will require more sophisticated amplifiers that can output to multiple, distinct speaker channels. A good amp can output well to tweeters and woofers, for example, and even subwoofers, for that matter.

An amplifier does precisely what its name implies; it takes the audio signal that the head unit sends out and amplifies it on its way to the speakers. Not only does an amplifier increase the power of that audio signal from the head unit, but it also improves the quality of the sound. With speakers hooked up to an amplifier, you should be able to turn up the volume without it producing crackling sounds and distorting the audio quality. The sound is cleaner, more unmistakable, all making your listening experience much much better.

 

Not all amplifiers are created equal, though, so you can vastly improve your car audio by simply upgrading your amplifier to superior ones.

 

Adding more Bass

 

If the only thing you’re missing is Bass, add a subwoofer to your factory system in either of the  two ways:

 

  • Add an amplifier and a subwoofer.
  • Add a powered subwoofer. Subwoofer in a car trunk

Powered subwoofers are a more straightforward proposition, but adding an amplifier and a subwoofer allows you more flexibility. Either way, a subwoofer is the best way to get that bass thumping.

If you want to go by the easiest way to add more bass to your car audio system, a powered amplifier with speaker-level inputs is the way to go. These units combine an amplifier and a subwoofer into one unit, and they can be hooked up to any factory or aftermarket head unit.

 

Doing it right

The most important thing to look for is a good wiring harness specifically designed for your vehicle requirements. This harness plugs into the factory wiring, so you won’t have to cut into any of your car stereo system wires and mess up with the electricals.

 

Some of these wiring harnesses are even designed to plug into a new head unit altogether, which means there’s no wiring involved at all. This is the easiest way to install a new head unit, and it ensures that you can pop the factory stereo back to stock any time you want.

What Does Your System Lack?

While many other components can affect the overall audio quality, those are the top three pieces of every car audio system. Now, consider the fact that your vehicle’s sound isn’t up to your expectations. What complaints do you have?

Your Speakers Buzz

Factory-installed speakers aren’t of the best quality, but you can easily upgrade to an aftermarket set that provides a broader range of sound. If you want an upgrade, particularly in the speaker department, install a separate woofer and tweeters along with component speakers for a good midrange sound.

 

There Is Not Enough Power

If the sound quality simply feels like it could need more “oomph”, your amplifier is likely the culprit in this scenario. Since it delivers more power to your new speakers, you should get more clarity without any kind of distortion.

 

There Isn’t Enough Detail. 

If you’re a music-head audiophile, you know that layers of audio are very much essential to the full sound experience. An upgraded head unit could help enhance your jazz or classical listening, taking your hearing experience to another level.

 

Evaluating Your Car Audio System

If your car stereo sounds OK to you, that’s exactly what all the OEMs are looking for. Even factory-installed premium sound systems usually aren’t up to mark. So how can you tell if your factory audio needs a little tender loving care? 

 

Here’s a test that anyone can do:

 

  • Sit in your car and close all the doors and windows.

 

  • Play your favourite music and turn up the volume. 

 

  • Don’t be afraid to go higher than you usually would, but try avoiding blasting the sound and go blow-out-your-eardrums high.

 

  • Listen to the music and start noticing the drawbacks.

 

If you need to turn up the treble due to lack of clarity, that’s something that a speaker upgrade can fix.

If you turn up the bass figure, you have the Bass sounding hollow or empty, that’s also something an upgrade can fix.

If the music sounds distorted when the volume is up really high, that’s another thing you can take care of with a bit of tinkering with the amplifying system mentioned.

 

So, where do you start from? There are different ways to dig into a factory sound system upgrade. Answering a handful of questions can set you on the right path:

 

  • How important is your budget? Do you have much money to spend on upgrades?
  • Do you want to improve the sound while keeping your factory stereo?
  • Would you instead ditch the factory stereo and start fresh?
  • How important is Bass?
  • Do you like listening to your music loud? 

You might be surprised at how the simple act of pondering those five questions sets you on the road to building a great car audio system.

 

How Apps Like Instagram and TikTok Created Online Superstars

Gone are the days when fans would fill their room with posters of Shah Rukh Khan, or girls writing letters to Rajesh Khanna with their blood, or people just resorting to any level of insanity to meet their icons. The euphoria around a star has watered down. Now, we have online superstars.

Today, almost every actor is omnipresent; they are in our bedrooms, dinner tables, workspaces, and bathrooms(well, not quite literally). The ‘I wonder’ factor of the actors that we once frowned upon went in absolute absentia when their daily-life updates got conveniently displayed on our smartphones. We became aware that these superstars, whom we considered Demi-Gods, sit, walk, and talk like us.

It feels like yesterday when everyone was just too invested in Vines, and Dubsmash, a lip-syncing platform, gave birth to a new generation of content creators. And boom! There was TikTok. The lip-sync platform magnetized the whole of Generation-Z in creating feature skits and dance videos lasting for 15 seconds. 

Today everyone has become fair game, with the rise of new products germinating around the contemporary cultural landscape – the social media influencers.

This relationship of the rising generation with these creative platforms is very telling of what they stand for. Across different socio-economic backgrounds, the present generation reject prejudices, stereotypes and gender-norms, and practice identity expressions with pragmatism. They are open to changes and are much more aware of the world around them. 

What I have noticed being on social media for a while is that while millennials prefer consuming feeds, it is the Gen-Z who are more actively creating the content. 

15 Seconds of Fame

Tik-Tok introduced the concept of showing your creativity in 15 seconds, and the world went bananas. Why should I wait for a film so eagerly if I could conveniently swipe through raw and more authentic short videos of people who look like you and me?

A while back, a man from rural India, who lives in a small hut with his wife and other family members, went viral for his extraordinary dance moves. This story is just a wave in an ocean of opportunities that these ‘nobodies have been provided through this platform. The thing is, you never know what clicks among the audience until one day you turn your life upside down with millions of followers.

TikTok’s ‘cringe-including’ content is a potential meme material for Internet inhabitants, but it is a source of liberation and a confidence booster for millions of users. So mocking TikTok is alright and quite fashionable, but dismissing the platform is just plain foolish.

When TikTok got banned in India due to the rising tension between India and China, Instagram saw an opportunity there and cloned the concept in their Reels that now allows you to create content over up to a minute. 

Cashing it Out

Instagram and TikTok have enabled everyone to be a creator. You don’t need high-end equipment anymore to bring your creativity out in front of the lens. You might be an actor, artist, dancer, doctor, financial advisor, student, or anything under the sun; you could be a star on Tik-Tok if you know the art of connecting with the audience. 

I will be lying if I say I do not get covetous of the influencer’s ability to produce easy money through brands and advertisements while I work my ass off to afford the basic necessities. But there’s no hate here; infact, there’s a sense of understanding that they are moulding themselves to what today’s ‘social media generation’ needs, while individuals like are satisfied with just consuming or disdaining it. 

The present generation has lost a sense of attentiveness when it comes to consuming content. The attention span has seemingly gone down with the introduction of the Internet. We now want to jump from one content to another without even trying to find any sense in what we have just watched. We do not know what it is to wait and think about what we just witnessed. In a sense, we are leeches in a human skull, which are harmless to none but to our own intelligence. 

Now coming back to the content creators, have you ever wondered how much do influencers earn? These influencers can be 17 years old or can go up to 50, but their pay is directly related to their number of followers. Depending on the followers and their niche, they can charge from Rs 15,000 to over a lakh for a post. Moreover, a lot of people pay them for collaborations and appearances. I kid you not; there was a whole reality show on some streaming platform based on these social influencers’ lives. Such is the height of success, they get to taste. 

Brands have understood that in order to connect directly with their customers, they need to give up the traditional way of advertising their products through television and instead use the tool of social media, which is much more convenient and cost-friendly. 

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter whether you hate the content or love to make or consume it, you cannot ignore the fact that platforms like Instagram, Youtube, TikTok have given a chance to young minds from all nooks and corners of the world to make a universe for their own self and get to be a hero in it. Isn’t that all we want deep inside or something we dream of with our eyes wide open? 

Here’s what social media is doing to the present generation.

How IOT AND OTT applications amount to Future Technologies?

Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Instant Video are just some of the clear examples of successful OTT content delivery services. DirectTV’s lucrative sports package and HBO’s popular Game of Thrones series are just some of the top OTT streaming content that can be streamed across multiple screens and portable devices. As Ott content is delivered over a broadband connection to the Internet, consumers also have more options.

The dramatic rise of nimble (OTT) content providers like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video challenges this dominance, reduces revenue, and threatens growth. Consider how OTT services have changed the way we consume television and the media in a very short space of time. If the network-wide and communications-wide transformation is to deliver anything, we could see a similar revolution with the arrival of over-the-top service providers (OTTs), a cocktail of innovative services, the widespread popularity of smart devices, and a hint of widespread and widely available broadband.

As network operators develop home technologies to unlock the low latency and high capacity of 5G, OTT providers and broadcasters will have the opportunity to offer their viewers services ranging from live sports, 4K and 360 videos, headcam recording, virtual reality, and other immersive experiences. Shortly, 5G is expected to disrupt the way we consume content and global OTT operators are aware of this well. It will pave the way for the fourth industrial revolution with high-speed wireless connectivity, AR and VR apps, autonomous vehicles, personalization based on consumer preferences, access to continuous health monitoring through IoT and Smart City devices, and the development of exciting and innovative services.

The Internet of Things ( IoT ) is an emerging network of smart devices and sensors including many everyday items that begin to send and receive data. New York, 2020 – Analysts predict that the Internet of Things will eventually connect 20 billion devices, and these devices will generate data that can be managed and analyzed. The Internet is part of a broader challenge to America’s network infrastructure, which is likely to see a surge in traffic, owing to the increasing use of virtual reality, machine learning, and other emerging data-intensive technologies.

The latest trend in the OTT video streaming arena is the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT). In this scenario, OTT and video platform players compete with each other to increase their subscriber base through monetization to the IoT and since OTT enables data sharing between IoT devices and OTT services there is attractive potential. In a highly competitive OTT/video platform landscape, the skilled use of data is critical to success and requires the full deployment of technologies such as AI, machine learning, automation, and IoT.

The phenomenal growth of OTT applications is largely due to improved accessibility of content via high-speed Internet, the high-quality streaming capacity of devices, and advances in technology analysis and artificial intelligence. This outbreak has led to an increase in content consumption across devices, with consumers switching from using Amazon Fire Stick and Google Chromecast to the new era of smart TVs for OTT consumption. There are new monetization opportunities for existing networks and OTT service providers to take advantage of performance improvements and cost reductions.

While we use IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, consumers will use voice shopping in the future to maintain an effortless lifestyle. The first hurdle for OTT streaming is that other technology providers will continue to meet consumer expectations. The relationship between OTT service providers and network operators will be more akin to a merger and acquisition.

In recent years, major internet companies such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, as well as leading OTT content providers such as Netflix have heavily invested in infrastructure such as data center space and network capacity. Digital natives and OTT competitors can piggyback on this expansive infrastructure, including the last mile services that connect consumers to the content they want to see, and they can benefit from it in a variety of ways. In the Internet of Things (IoT), there are huge untapped opportunities to bring content to portable devices like this, Miller says.

The answer is to use the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and other self-service technologies to interact with customers on a personal level. The IoT is a hybrid network with optical fiber in new locations and many, many wireless connections, according to network infrastructure experts, which increases data capacity and coverage density with small cells and distributed antenna systems. OTT and IT mobile networks are not the only areas to be affected by the IoT.

Digital Home Services (DHS) combines emerging technologies such as Oracle, IoT, AI, mobile chatbots, and remote video to support advanced digital customer management and deliver the next-generation digital home services. Replay consists of pre-integrated OTT back-end components (CMS, SMS, OTT Middleware, engagement, usage analysis, content discovery, and ad tech solutions) together with world-class UI / UX design and application development to enable our customers to experience satisfaction and grow their business.

It changes the way we consume media, underpins the business case for new services, and offers attractive prices that reach end consumers. Market forces such as exponential growth in content and a realignment of distribution models are forcing a realignment and investigating how industry technologies such as AI, immersive reality, IoT, and 5G can be leveraged.

The FCC, major pay-TV providers, and technology startups are engaged in a multi-party dispute over the future of broadcasting television content via set-top boxes and TV app ecosystems. OTT is a media service or streaming media service offered to viewers via the Internet. The term over the top (OTT) refers to the provision of audio and video content to users over the Internet without subscribing to traditional satellite providers.

The integration of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant into OTT platforms and streaming services will provide more user-friendly and easier search options for content, voice commands, and an enhanced customer experience through artificial intelligence. Part of the OTT model is generally an IoT experience that breaks the shackles that bind us to our old approach, with each iteration enriching the user experience and expanding the possibilities of the service.
Also read : How are Utility Tokens different from Security Tokens?

Is zero-carbon token future of tomorrow?

Fortunately, late developments and advances, for example, the blockchain have prompted a few answers for address these issues, and quite possibly the most encouraging arrangements come from Zero Carbon, a blockchain-based task that is ready to shake the business with its exceptional way to deal with how energy is burned-through today. 

A Zero Carbon token utilizes blockchain to battle environmental change. Customers can save money on energy and earn Zero Carbon token coins by switching to zero-carbon energy in the crypto market. Introducers might gain from spreading the word as well. By undercutting both renewable energy and fossil fuels on price, the Zero Carbon

The market can produce a faster reduction in carbon emissions. An established blockchain-driven economy with Energy tokens as significant reward-based incentives for customer activity can also act as the catalyst for change. A project in the area that aims to use blockchain technology to reshape the online travel sector has a very high incentive in the future.

This idea is a blockchain revolution uniquely, combining logistics with zero-carbon options. In this awful era of global warming and pandemics, the world must become carbon-free. Zero carbon tokens will be used to communicate important aspects of the digital ecosystem. It will provide token utility as well as a more advanced blockchain platform. These tokens have utility worth since energy providers need to source them to pay the exchange charges needed to take part in the Zero Carbon Market.

 How does it work?.

 The Zero Carbon token tackles climate change by lowering carbon emissions directly around the world. They do it by utilizing a mechanism that utilizes international carbon credits to balance the carbon emissions of energy contracts in a considerably more cost-effective manner than relying just on renewable energy.

Not only is this technology substantially less expensive than renewable energy, but it also cuts total carbon emissions by the same amount at a fraction of the cost! One unique feature of Zero Carbon is that energy suppliers pay the platform’s transaction fees rather than end-users, though consumers can decide to pay the transaction fees in exchange for lower energy rates.

Consumers can purchase electricity packages from suppliers through Zero Carbon’s market, which allows energy suppliers to list and sell their contracts to consumers. Consumers can choose from a list of suppliers, much as in a traditional marketplace, and Zero Carbon will display important information such as the cost of power or the advantages offered by each source to help them make smarter decisions.

Also read: What is Lightning Network in the world of crypto?

 

 

 

 

Is the battle between Tesla and bitcoin at an end?

The Bitcoin plunged 8% as Musk’s statements fueled reports of a total sell-off.

 

Following the tweet, bitcoin prices fell to $44,000, their lowest level since February 2021.
Bitcoin plummeted to a three-month low as investors liquidated cryptocurrencies in response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s remark that he is considering selling some of his bitcoin holdings or may have already done so.
Musk’s enthusiasm for bitcoin increased stock prices, so he has been stirring up the market since abandoning bitcoin in favor of Dogecoin, a one-time imitation. The price swings have surprised even the most seasoned traders. Recently, bitcoin sank more than 9% to $42185, its lowest level since February 8, while ether, a cryptocurrency linked to the Ethereum network, fell even farther to $3123.

 

Tesla consumers would be able to purchase the company’s electric automobiles using bitcoin, Musk stated in March. To demonstrate the cryptocurrency’s liquidity as a cash substitute, the firm purchased $1.5 billion in bitcoins and only liquidated 10% of its holdings a month later. Musk declared that Tesla would no longer accept bitcoin as a form of payment due to the transaction’s high energy consumption. He defended his actions too, claiming that Tesla had sold its own stock. It’s unclear whether he’s still checking purchases or simply reporting that he’s been criticized.
Tesla is planning to enter a multibillion-dollar sustainable credit market, according to sources, to capitalize on the Biden administration’s quest for new zero-emission objectives. Musk’s description of Dogecoin as a “hustle” has yet to fully recover, but he did raise the price last week by stating that he wanted to improve the currency’s performance.
Some are now giving up on an asset that has soared this year, with dogecoin increasing by only a small amount, ether expanding by more than fourfold, and bitcoin increasing by 45 percent.

 

I believe this is the case; I believe Tesla has kept the majority of its Bitcoin holdings and is not gaining from Musk’s statements. As far as I can see, he’s just interested in profiting from manipulating the price of Bitcoin — or Dogecoin, or Tesla shares, or any of the other assets whose prices he can influence with his tweets. Sure, he’ll do it for fun now and then, but not in a way that benefits his rational self-interest. I’m guessing what happened was pretty much what Musk said: He went into cryptocurrencies on the spur of the moment because it fit with his image of being fun, futuristic, and obnoxious, but then someone pointed out that it didn’t match with his image of being environmentally friendly and on a whim, he decided to take a break from Bitcoin for a while. And when Elon Musk decides on Twitter, he often sticks to it for hours, if not days. By next week, he’ll be tweeting things like, “We are building a gigantic battery in the desert to mine Bitcoin, Bitcoin is good again, you can use it to pay for Teslas,” and the price will skyrocket, and I’ll push the button that automatically generates this column once more.

 

Musk’s action may also signal that Teslas weren’t flying off the shelves as a result of taking Bitcoin payment and it’s unclear whether Tesla has sold any cars for Bitcoins. 2 I sincerely hope not.

 

I’m hoping Musk can influence the price of Bitcoin by saying that Tesla will or will not take Bitcoins for vehicles, without ever really accepting any Bitcoins for any cars. That has a certain purity to it: Bitcoin’s value is determined by Elon Musk’s attitude toward it, not by the reality of any shady commercial transactions in which Bitcoins are traded for automobiles. The source of value for Bitcoin — for everything — is mere closeness to Elon Musk, not its utility as a currency or economic significance.

Are NFTs the Start of a New Crypto Bubble?

Let us first know about NFTs.

What Is a Non-Financial Transaction (NFT)?

 

The term “non-fungible token” refers to a piece of digital code stored on a blockchain (also called distributed ledger technology).
A digital asset, such as a work of art, a video clip, or the first Tweet, can be permanently registered on a blockchain via an NFT.
Ownership and provenance can be promptly verified.
For the first time, it is possible to achieve digital scarcity.

 

You may have heard about 3LAU, an EDM producer, and Grimes, a pop musician, selling NFT artworks for millions of dollars.
Christie’s New York created history in October 2020 when it sold Portraits of a Mind: Block 21, the first-ever NFT-linked tangible artwork, for $130,000.
Beeple, a fully digital work by the NFT, is up for auction, with a current bid of $13.25 million.

So, what exactly is the deal with NFTs?

How does it make artists wealthy?
Is this the start of a new crypto bubble?
What impact is it having on the art world?

 

Art collecting may be traced all the way back to Egypt, India, China, and Babylonia’s early civilizations.
The way individuals buy, collect, and store art has evolved.

 

The demand for digital artwork is increasing as we move into the digital age.
However, authenticity and distinctiveness are issues with digital artwork.
You make digital art and share it on the internet.
NFTs are used to create digital artworks that are similar to physical artworks.
They transform digital art into a tangible item.
Because NFTs are stored on the blockchain, no one can completely replicate the artwork they are linked to.
This allows digital artists to sell their work while also remaining authentic and avoiding concerns such as piracy and duplication.
NFT artworks have recently sold for millions of dollars at auction, indicating that individuals wish to collect them.
The motivations for purchasing a digital NFT artwork are several.

 

You can either buy it because you like it or as an investment.
From the standpoint of an artist, NFT is a fantastic opportunity to communicate directly with your collectors.
It also goes without saying that NFT makes artists wealthy.

 

NFTs in the Future

Digital art is enjoying a moment, but where does it go from here?
NFTs, on the other hand, can open doors to much more than just financial ownership.
For collectors, artists can create one-of-a-kind digital experiences.

 

Let’s Have a Quick Look at NFTs

Before we get into the impact of NFTs on the art world, let’s first take a look at what NFTs are and how they work.
Non-fungible tokens (or NFTs) are based on blockchain technology and, like fungible assets like Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, provide a secure record of transactions.

 

Fungible assets, on the other hand, can be replaced with another identical entity of the same type.

Should you still invest in Dogecoin?

By 2024, the digital currency will have grown by almost 1,400 times.
This year has witnessed a surge in interest in Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that was launched in 2013 and now has a market capitalization of about $9 billion, placing it among the top twenty cryptocurrencies in the world.
Even though Dogecoin’s price is currently about 7 cents, the coin, which trades on an exchange under the symbol “DOGE,” is expected to increase by 1,400 percent in 2024. The cryptocurrency, pronounced “dohj coin,” has exploded in popularity this year, with several celebrities, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, advertising it on his path to new highs.
So, what is the state of the DOGE? Should you invest in Dogecoin? Examining the cryptocurrency’s history, comparing it to competitors, and evaluating its phenomenal growth will properly answer the question.
The year 2021 will be remembered as the Year of the Meme
For investors, Dogecoin is a fascinating invention,” said Julian Hosp, CEO, and co-founder of DeFi, a decentralized finance service that allows anyone to lend cryptocurrency in exchange for interest. “It’s amusing when you realize Dogecoin was originally conceived as a joke based on a meme,” Hosp explains. That’s correct. Dogecoin’s emblem is a Shiba Inu dog that has become an internet sensation.
Dogecoin’s logo is a Shiba Inu dog that became an internet hit in 2013 for being funny.
Unlike Bitcoin, it is not being considered as a greater store of value: There is currently more than 129 billion DOGE in circulation. Only over 19 million Bitcoins are in circulation, with only 21 million possible. The number of Dogecoin units that can be created has no limit, and billions more will be created each year. That’s a lot of contradictory theories.
The plentiful supply may explain why a coin that was worth 35 times its value a year ago and more than 10 times its value at the start of the year is now only worth about 7 cents. Yes, in reality, a ridiculous token will take off in 2021, the same year that “meme stocks” like GameStop (GME), AMC Entertainment (AMC), and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) skyrocketed in value thanks to Reddit excitement.
Determining the DOGE Value
George Chrysochou, an investor and global head of marketing for Financer.com, sees more red signs than DOGE’s meme status alone.
“The idea is driven by the community, but it has never been formally adopted,” Chrysochou explains. “There isn’t even an official development plan or a white paper accessible.
Also read: Elon Musk claims Tesla will accept Bitcoin as a payment method.
Its founder and main developers departed the project in 2015, and they have repeatedly indicated that it is overrated. “These are early implementation factors to consider,” says the author. In cryptocurrencies, where there are no earnings expectations or dividends, subjective concerns become even more important.
However, there are certain objective techniques for measuring a currency’s fair worth, such as comparing it to other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
The simplest approach to compare DOGE and BTC is to price them in Satoshis, or sats, which are one hundred millionth of a Bitcoin.
A coin with the potential for unauthorized dilution with a source in such an online joke is probably not the greatest choice, except for speculative investors. Publicity stunts, even if unwittingly supplied by Elon Musk, aren’t enough to make Dogecoin a good investment.

Where To Buy Bitcoin?

To buy bitcoins, you have to exchange your assets. The assets used in exchange for bitcoin can be cash, gold, or any other tangible form of income or other digital currencies. This chain of exchanging things in place of Bitcoins begins with the give and take rule. You give something that is equivalent to Bitcoin and then gets Bitcoin in your wallet. Both Bitcoin seller and buyer need a cost-effective and secure exchange that is quick to set up and admits different funding sources.

In 2021 some of the places are identified that are suitable for the cryptocurrency exchange. These are  Coinbase, eToro, Robinhood, CoinMama, BlockFi, and Bisq. But there are certain limitations associated with these exchange providers. You have to examine and decide the place which suits your requirements.

Coinbase is a platform for exchanging more than 50 currencies. When you are a beginner and don’t know much about Bitcoin, always start with Coinbase exchange. It demands a reasonable fee from beginners. This type of exchange is most secure and verified by 56 million users. It helps you to track the records efficiently. You can store your data offline.  San Francisco laid the foundation of this system.  Fees for buying the coins vary according to client needs.

For debit cards, the payment method is expensive. So people might look at other places for their cryptocurrency exchange.

One of the platforms from where you can buy your Bitcoin is eToro. eToro allows their clients to check their services for free. Testing will not use virtual money. They use your virtual money only if you are willing to use their services after a free trial.  This simple platform is easy to understand and use. This platform utilizes a copy trader system. eToro deals with 18 currencies.

Another platform used for Bitcoin exchange is Robinhood. Though this platform deals with a limited number of currencies, it is an easy-to-use platform. Bitcoin users can buy or sell a commission-free cryptocurrency. That means you don’t need to pay any amount to this platform to buy your Bitcoin. This platform can be used as a side account as well for your Bitcoin.

CoinMama platform enables quick exchange of Bitcoin. Clients can buy Bitcoins with just a few clicks. You must have a wallet if you want immediate delivery of coins. After successful verification of the account clients creates for buying Bitcoins, they place the order. CoinMama verifies the fees by debit cards or credit cards and sends Bitcoins to the client’s account within seconds. Instant delivery of coins is costly. It deals with limited currency exchange but offers you a variety of payment options.

also, read – how much is one bitcoin’s worth?

 

How to Invest in Bitcoin?

If you have just started to learn about Bitcoin, buying and investing in this electronic currency may seem a little complicated. Bitcoin has grown in popularity among today’s buyers over the previous few years. During this time, there has been a lot of discussion regarding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—people in favor of Bitcoin claim that they are the future of finance and investing, while detractors argue that they are a hazardous investment option with low returns.

Here are the basic steps you need to follow to get started with bitcoin –

 

  1. Become a member of a Bitcoin exchange

 

To begin, you’ll need to decide where you’d like to buy Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency exchanges are used by the majority of Bitcoin investors. Because Bitcoin is an open-source technology, there is no official “Bitcoin” corporation, but there are multiple distinct exchanges that facilitate Bitcoin transactions. Like a stock brokerage, these exchanges act as the intermediaries in bitcoin investing.

Some of the most popular exchanges are Coinbase, Binance, Gemini, and Kraken.

 

  1. Get yourself a Bitcoin wallet.

 

When you buy a coin, it’s placed in a “wallet,” which holds all of your cryptocurrency. A “hot wallet” or a “cold wallet” are the two sorts of wallets available.

 

A hot wallet is managed by your bitcoin exchange or a third-party supplier. When you open an account with some exchanges, they will instantly supply you with a hot wallet. Hot wallets are useful in any way because you may access your coins over the internet via a software program.  Electrum and mycelium are some popular hot wallets.

 

The safest way to store your coins is in a cold wallet. A cold wallet is a physical device that saves your coins, typically a portable device that looks like a flash drive. The majority of cold wallets cost around $100. Trezor and Ledger Nano are two popular cold wallets.

 

 

If you’re only going to buy a little amount of cryptocurrency, a hot wallet with an insured crypto exchange might suffice. However, if you plan on trading big sums of cryptocurrency, a cold wallet will be well worth your money.

 

  1. Link Your Wallet to a Financial Institution

 

You’ll need to link your wallet to your bank account after you’ve received it. You can buy and sell coins using this method. Alternatively, your cryptocurrency exchange account could be linked to your bank account.

 

  1. Make a Bitcoin purchase

 

You’re now ready to buy Bitcoin. Everything you need to buy will be available on your bitcoin exchange. The most important question is how much Bitcoin should you buy.

 

Some coins are worth hundreds of dollars, yet exchanges frequently allow you to acquire fractions of a single coin for a few dollars.

 

Investing in Bitcoin is extremely dangerous, therefore you should carefully assess your risk tolerance and reassess your investing strategy before making any purchases.

also, read – how to buy bitcoin?

Is there anything more to BITCOIN than we know?

Bitcoin was introduced back in 2009. With the emergence of Bitcoin Exchanges, it became a global phenomenon. Bitcoin is termed as a cryptocurrency or a digital currency that is virtual. It is just like cash but in a virtual sense. It can be used to buy and sell products.

 

So, what about the different images of the bitcoins that we see on daily basis?

 

These digital animations are worthless if they are without the codes working in the backchannel for them. If we describe a Bitcoin then in exact terms, there is nothing as a Bitcoin that exists practically, but rather it is simply an agreement between the users of a particular network about the ownership of the coin itself.

If we discuss the subdivision of Bitcoin, then the thousandth part of Bitcoin is called a mill, while if the hundredth millionth part of a Bitcoin is known as Satoshi.

Bitcoins’ origination was unique. In the words of Satoshi Nakamoto, “An electronic payment system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust.”

Bitcoins depend on the peer to peer cryptography. The global consensus is reached regarding ownership by checking that who owns what in the field of Bitcoins. It is reached through carefully designed cryptography.

Bitcoins are important game-changers, in terms of currencies as they removed the concept of middlemen. Banks were not allowed to be middlemen.

A Bitcoin can be used, to buy anything, a piece of furniture, an Xbox or to even book a hotel for your honeymoon, you name it. The price of Bitcoins skyrocketed in early 2017 due to investments by some of the tech giants.

Bitcoin is the most famous amongst the 5,000 different cryptocurrencies available in the market today. One of the reasons is that it is the oldest and the most established amongst all the currencies. It has investments from some of the biggest tech giants available in the market.

Even though Bitcoin is not accepted as a whole across the globe still, customers and companies, in general, are showing their interest in it. Only last year, a famous online monetary service, Paypal has announced that it will be allowing transactions in Bitcoins.

Bitcoin is thought of as worthy of every penny because, the people have decided its value, just like that of gold. The price of Bitcoins has risen by leaps as it is limited to 21 million coins. So this stops the large flow of the coins in the market. It is gaining importance in the global markets as the payments made through it are cheap and easy as is already discussed. There is no middle man involved in the transactions. These Bitcoins are particularly popular amongst the cottage industries and small businesses as there is no extra fee like that of credit card attached with them.

Most individuals buy these Bitcoins as insurance policies. With the hope that these will be sold, for greater profits. But with the greater profits come the risks. Bitcoins worth millions of dollars were stolen back in 2016 due to a major hack.

Bitcoins can be exchanged, through the medium of various online currency exchanges worldwide. Bitcoin, at the start, was created to send money on the internet. SHA-256 algorithm that is applied in the cryptography of Bitcoins makes it almost impossible to decipher, and hence it removes any possibility of malware involved while handling it.

Much of cryptography in actuality relies on mathematical calculations. The possibility of hacking the Crypto, especially through the current versions of computers, is very difficult. With the arrival of quantum computers, the threat has increased many folds.

The data of all the transactions through Bitcoins in international markets, are gathered every ten minutes and are placed on a single platform that is called Block. They are a permanent part of the blockchain. The blockchain can be also called the account book of Bitcoin.

Despite the drawbacks, that are associated with Bitcoins, it is still the most trusted cryptocurrency. It exists on a public ledger. All the transactions throughout the Bitcoins can be checked. Hence, there is no chance of any reverse transaction or faking one.

One must understand that even though the crypto and specifically Bitcoins are virtual in reality, but to buy, one has to pay in real money. The buyers are always in search of a new bid, to add on to their stock at Bitcoins. With a dream that with time the Bitcoins will provide them with more fortune.

The features like the independence from monetary institutes enable Bitcoin to increase its worth many folds. Most of the customers see Bitcoins, in the short run and, are well aware of the instabilities involved in it. They look for the short-term goals and sell their share at the best possible bid they get their hands on. Most of the investors see Bitcoins, not ideal investments. The only way one can earn is if, someone is willing to pay you more than you already did for buying the currency.

Some of the individuals call this blasphemous as ‘greater fool Theory’. According to which all the buyers of Bitcoins are fools and only one fool benefits another by buying the same currency at even greater rates. The only reason why the people are selling them is that they are well aware of the fact that it is not a long-term investment if they would have seen it worthy enough they would have never tried to sell it altogether.

also, read- HOW TO BUY BITCOIN?

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