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Tag: weather

  • Google’s new Weather interface will feature improved short-term forecasts

    Google’s new Weather interface will feature improved short-term forecasts

    Google has started to offer its updated Weather interface on both of its large-screened Pixel devices, the Pixel Tablet and the Pixel Fold. So far though, the new Weather interface has yet to be pushed out to Pixel phones. The new interface includes a larger, bolder current temperature reading and a transparent system navigation bar.
    Perhaps more important than the redesign is the improved accuracy of the short-term weather forecasts delivered by the interface. Android Police notes that the interface will now update weather data multiple times each hour. This data comes from the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system that uses multiple radars and algorithms to help improve the accuracy of hazardous weather forecasts and warnings.
    Also being used to improve the accuracy of the forecasts for the Google Weather interface is High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) which is an atmospheric model that updates every 15 minutes. Both MRMS and HRRR are systems belonging to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    More accurate weather forecasts will help Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold users plan their day around a  precise and accurate weather forecast. And when the weather changes abruptly, the Google Weather interface will show users the latest forecast in time to prepare for the new weather activity on the way.
    It isn’t clear when the Pixel handsets will get the new weather interface. Right now, to get the Google Weather interface on your Pixel phone, open the Google app and swipe the carousel underneath the search bar until you see the local weather and temperature. Tap on it and about half the page will be dedicated to the current weather. Tap the three-button overflow menu icon on the right of the screen where you’ll see the “Weather/Today” heading and a menu that includes an option to “Add to homescreen.”
    Once you add the weather icon to the homescreen of your Pixel phone, you’re just a tap away from seeing Froggy, the latest temperature, and the forecast. Since it is available on Android 13 for the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, we are not simply awaiting the update to Android 14 to see it on Pixel handsets. But when it does become available on Pixel phones, it will allow users to get the information they want without having to scroll to the bottom of the screen.
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  • Dark Sky announces acquisition by Apple and discontinuation of Android support

    Dark Sky announces acquisition by Apple and discontinuation of Android support

    Popular weather app Dark Sky made a huge announcement, and the forecast for Android users doesn’t look good. The company revealed that it has been acquired by Apple, causing some major changes for users in the near future.

    Dark Sky, which describes itself as a hyperlocal weather app, made its name on down-to-the-minute precipitation forecasts based on a number of sources, including crowdsourced data from users who opt-in. Receiving widespread acclaim, the app quickly amassed over 1 million Android users, establishing itself as a formidable force in the weather service market.

    Following the acquisition by the iPhone maker, announced in a company blog post, Dark Sky reportedly won’t go through any major branding changes (no iDark Sky for now), but support for Android will be discontinued on July 1, 2020.

    A complete drop of support for a large portion of users is kind of a big deal, especially for Android users like me, but the company also announced that all active subscribers will be given a refund at the date of discontinuation, which will also affect Wear OS and web clients of the service.

    Given Dark Sky’s reputation as the best weather app around, it’s sad to see it go as far as the Play Store is concerned. But based on the app’s #1 status in the Weather category of the iOS App Store, Dark Sky will likely still enjoy much popularity on the other side of the fence.

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  • Microsoft Launcher major update brings widget redesign

    Microsoft Launcher major update brings widget redesign

    Microsoft is making major changes to its Android launcher, many of which have been tested for about a month in the beta channel. Most of the new features and improvements are cosmetic, but there are some important under the hood enhancements included as well.

    Microsoft Launcher version 5.3 comes with a completely redesigned Time/Weather widget, which allows users to have multiple widgets for multiple locations. The detail page has been redesigned as well.

    The update brings many refinements to the app, but the most important are those made to the Home Screen, Dock and Search widget. If you’re a long-time user, you’ll most likely notice them once you start using the new version.

    Furthermore, the News tab now supports “Technology” as a news interest, while the Tasks card now features “My Day” and “Flagged Emails” features from Microsoft To Do. With the latest version of Microsoft Launcher, work profile users will be able to access their work apps fast and easy.

    Although it’s less important, you’ll probably want to know that the beta community link in Settings has been changed to Microsoft Tech Community. Microsoft Launcher 5.3 is already available for download via Google Play Store, so make sure to install the update to benefit from the latest improvements.

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  • Telenor Pakistan Collaborates with LMKT to Provide IBM’s Accurate Weather Forecast to Local Farmers

    Telenor Pakistan Collaborates with LMKT to Provide IBM’s Accurate Weather Forecast to Local Farmers

    Telenor Pakistan, continuing its efforts to transform the Pakistani agriculture sector which is the primary source of livelihood for millions of Pakistani households, has partnered with LMKT, an IBM partner, to provide farmers across the country with localized and accurate weather forecasting data. The move aims to advance agricultural practices in Pakistan and educate farmers to help them improve their yields by making informed decisions based on latest weather conditions.

    Under the agreement, LMKT will be supporting Telenor Pakistan’s goals by implementing an accurate weather forecasting solution that will provide daily and hourly weather forecast at a resolution of 1 sq km from globally recognized platforms. It’s important to note that LMKT uses IBM’s state-of-the-art technology for its weather forecast services. The partnership will enable Telenor Pakistan to drive various agronomic advisory services to stakeholders in the agriculture sector through multiple channels including mobile devices. This will empower more than 5 million Khushaal Zamindaar users across Pakistan and farmers being supported by the CAPP (Connected Agriculture Platform Punjab) program in collaboration with Government of Punjab.

    “Being Pakistan’s primary digital lifestyle partners with a strong rural presence, and movers of many industry-first initiatives aimed at transformation of Pakistani agricultural sector, we at Telenor Pakistan know what the sector’s challenges are and how to resolve them effectively,” said Durdana Achakzai, Chief Digital Officer at Telenor Pakistan. “We are pleased to have partnered with LMKT, a leading technology company specializing in geographic information systems, to deliver hyper localized weather advisory to millions of farmers across Pakistan. These advisories are critical for the success of farmers and support our ongoing efforts to empower the Pakistani kissan and modernize our agricultural practices.”

    “This agreement with Pakistan’s top telecom and digital services provider, Telenor Pakistan, underpins LMKT’s continuous efforts towards establishing a highly accurate and standardized weather forecasting system in Pakistan,” said Muhammad Haroon Sharif, Vice President GIS, Research & Development LMKT. “We are working closely with different stakeholders including Pakistan Meteorological Department and independent research groups to help various industries that rely on accurate weather forecasting data such as agriculture, renewable energy production and utilities.”

    Telenor Pakistan has been working closely with the local governments in Pakistan to empower the country’s farmers through a number of digital advisory services. In December 2015, Telenor launched Khushal Zamindar, a user-friendly Robocall, IVR and SMS content based mobile agriculture service for small-scale farmers. Following its success and the ratio of female farmers using it, Telenor Pakistan launched its women-specific version called Khushaal Aangan in December 2017. In March 2018, Telenor collaborated with the Punjab Agriculture Department to launch Connected Agriculture Platform Punjab (CAPP) to improve farmers’ access to information, financial resources, and market.

    LMKT has recently launched real-time, location-based weather information for farmers as part of a digital farming initiative with Government of Punjab’s Department of Agriculture. The initiative aims to improve farming practices in the province by communicating relevant agronomic advisories to farmers.

     

     

     

     

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  • Sompo Japan to Release in Indonesia Weather Index Insurance for Farmers

    Sompo Japan to Release in Indonesia Weather Index Insurance for Farmers

    Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance will start selling insurance products that compensate farmers hit by drought in Indonesia as early as this autumn.

    Earlier this month, Sompo Japan signed a memorandum to partner with BMKG, Indonesia’s meteorological bureau, to gather weather data. The Japanese insurer will provide weather index products that pay a certain amount to contract farmers when rainfalls drop below the forecast amount of the past three months.

    Such technologies and services provided by companies in disaster-prone Japan are likely to become promising exports to Southeast Asia. With an insurance premium of 50,000 rupiah ($3.76), contract farmers will be entitled to recuperate up to 500,000 rupiah if a drought occurs.

    Sompo Japan is narrowing down potential insurance agencies to partner with, such as local financial institutions. The company plans to test-run products in some areas as early as this autumn and go full swing in 2018.

    Sompo Japan started selling weather index insurance products for banana producers in Thailand in 2010 and in the Philippines in 2014. The company plans to release policies in Myanmar as soon as it gets government approvals.

    The company plans to boost its lineups of countries of sale and products to increase contracts fivefold to 30,000 in Southeast Asia by 2025.

    In the wake of increasing damage due to drought caused by unusual weather patterns, governments in Southeast Asia are taking measures to improve infrastructure, such as building irrigation facilities and providing financial coverage for damage claims.

    There are two major strategies for dealing with climate change. One is climate change mitigation, which is any action taken to reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The other is adaptation, which is the ability of a system to adjust to climate change to moderate any potential damage.

    The Paris Agreement, an international framework implemented to slow global warming, requires countries to set a goal of cutting greenhouse gases and taking adaptation measures. Emerging and developing countries — which are often hit by drought and heavy rains — are showing interest in the adaptation route.

    The United Nations Environment Programme, or UNEP, estimates the costs of adaptation could range from $140 billion to $300 billion a year by 2030, and between $280 billion and $500 billion a year by 2050.

    The market for adaptation solutions is expected to spread globally with the help of multinational funds and local governments. Some companies have started offering products and services catering to these demands.

    Japanese companies are well-positioned to help developing countries adapt to climate change, such as by contributing to better infrastructure, developing cultivation technologies so crops can withstand warmer temperatures, and increasing preparedness for power outages.

    However, Mari Yoshitaka, chief consultant of Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, said many Japanese companies have not shown much interest in the global adaptation business. But focusing on environmental measures needed to cope with the situation presents business opportunities.

  • AccuWeather expands reach via Apple TV app

    AccuWeather expands reach via Apple TV app

    AccuWeather launched the all-new AccuWeather app for Apple TV, which further expands AccuWeather’s global reach across platforms by enabling users access across devices and locations.

    Apple TV users can now quickly and easily zoom in and out on radar conditions locally or anywhere in the world.  The enhanced AccuWeather app for Apple TV also provides highly detailed weather forecasts including AccuWeather’s patented MinuteCast minute-by-minute forecast with precipitation type and intensity for the next two hours, as well as start and end times, hyper-localized by Apple TV location.

    Additional new features include AccuWeather’s Day by Day 15-Day Forecast, expanded view of hourly weather forecasts, and AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature.

    The app offers an expansive variety of weather HD video content available from any news and information provider.

    “AccuWeather continues to demonstrate its commitment to an expansive global digital strategy with this application,” said Steve Smith, President of Digital Media for AccuWeather.  “Viewers can rely on AccuWeather’s personalized, exclusive weather experience on Apple TV, in addition to the AccuWeather iOS app, for weather information and updates with Superior Accuracy.”

    AccuWeather is the only app in the weather category to offer expanded language support on Apple TV, meeting localization needs with more than 100 languages and dialects. The app also provides real-time global severe weather alerts and warnings for Apple TV users.

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