Category: Competitive intelligence

Ethereum killer, Bitcoin rival, and industry disruptor — these three phrases are frequently used in relation to the Solana blockchain. But does Solana really have the potential to take over the DeFi sector?

Excitement about Solana and its SOL cryptocurrency is quite understandable. The blockchain was launched not so long ago, in March 2020, and made headlines in numerous media outlets due to its unique features and, of course, growing value. SOL’s price has witnessed a significant increase: on January 1, 2021, SOL was worth $1.51, and on November 4, 2021, you could buy one coin for $240.29. The same thing happened with Solana’s market capitalization, which at the beginning of the year was $85.8 million, and by November — $72,7 billion. Impressive, right?

Meanwhile, there is Ethereum. Launched in 2015, it is already considered an industry veteran. As of November 4, 2021, its market cap is $537 billion and 1 ETH is worth $4,540.63.

The question is what is the difference between these two blockchains and how possible is it for a newcomer to become the blockchain familiar to most developers and the crypto world in general? Let’s find out!

AI is becoming a universal tool for game design. Despite video game artificial intelligence still being in its infancy, game companies have already started to recognize attractive benefits such as enhanced player experience and cost reduction.

Ever since the first program that played chess in the ’50s, video games have been associated with artificial intelligence. The efforts to solve the challenge of computers defeating human experts in strategy games such as chess, poker, and Go have significantly advanced AI research. In turn, this has led to enhancements in the design of new games.

In a broad sense, most video games incorporate some form of AI. Nevertheless, modern AI methods can be applied in distinct areas that help game companies realize business benefits as well. For example, through enhancing photorealistic effects, generating content, balancing in-game complexities, and providing intelligence to non-playing characters (NPCs), AI improves the overall user experience while saving game companies budget and time.

Read on to find out more about the importance and impact of AI in games, typical applications, commonly employed AI methods, the most popular games that utilize AI, the business benefits, current limitations in how AI can be applied, and the future of AI in games.

The world of mobile applications has grown spectacularly in recent years. But with the increasing number of app hacking episodes, developers must be extra careful when developing mobile apps so that they can ensure users’ information is protected.

Mobile devices have become universally accepted and used today because they are easy to carry and can perform nearly the same functions as laptops and desktops.

Mobile devices have apps that allow users to play games, manage financial services, and access the internet. Unfortunately, these apps collect potentially sensitive information like phone numbers, email addresses, and credit card information that can be hacked. That’s why companies need to be certain that their apps are completely secure before they are made available to the public.

This article will help you understand the importance of mobile app security, the threats to mobile apps, measures for preventing problems, and the tools and standards for app security testing.

Multimillion-dollar fines and site closure. That’s what can lie in wait for you if your website does not meet the accessibility laws and standards.

What does web accessibility mean? The web accessibility of a particular site relates to how its interface is adapted for use by people with disabilities. This fundamental principle is set out by the W3C organization, which developed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) — the basis of legislative norms in many countries.

Some users of your site may have a visual impairment or some kind of restriction with regard to physical movement. They might only be able to use the keyboard and screen reader to navigate the site, so if the interface of your web pages does not allow them to do this, unfortunately, they will not be able to use your site at all.

Other website visitors may have fine motor problems, which can make it difficult for them to use touch devices. This means that if your site has clickable elements that are too close to each other, people with these impairments will likewise be prevented from using your site.

In short, a website can be called accessible if anyone can use it. Site owners need to ensure they comply with the EU Web Accessibility Directive, as this determines the local laws in many European countries. Let’s dive into the details.

Web accessibility is an approach to developing interfaces, ensuring that they can be used by every group of users, regardless of any individual impairment. In some countries, such as Canada, web accessibility is a mandatory requirement for websites and is governed by local law.

Here’s a fact: there will be over 36.39 million Internet users in Canada by the end of 2021, and that number will surpass 37 million by 2022. With a population of just over 38 million, it’s clear that web accessibility is a very important component of all the country’s websites.

What does web accessibility mean to the Canadian government? Basically, it involves a set of policies (as defined in WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) applied to user interfaces that all local sites must comply with by default. Sites that do not comply are subject to certain penalties.

Below we will tell you about the laws in Canada that govern web accessibility, as well as share a list of parameters to comply with and details of how to verify that you are doing so.

Blockchains are transforming the way business is done across a huge range of industries. They also have the capacity to enhance the customer experience and lift some obstacles which prevent loyalty programs from achieving their full potential.

In today’s highly competitive business world, customer loyalty and customer engagement are among the top priorities for many companies. Most marketing and sales efforts nowadays are directed towards retaining existing customers. Among many tools that companies utilize, loyalty programs – when done right – can have long-lasting effects. That’s why loyalty programs are considered strategic investments in a brand’s life-cycle.

Loyalty programs have been adopted across many industries, including retail, travel, and financial services. However, while loyalty programs are desirable, acquiring and trading reward points is something customers are starting to dislike. Blockchain technology can improve this situation by solving some of the fundamental issues of traditional loyalty programs, including low redemption rates, high account inactivity, and low customer retention. Instead of becoming members of many loyalty programs, customers can join a network where points can be earned and spent better and more efficiently.

Read on to learn more about blockchain in loyalty programs, blockchain-specific benefits and limitations, the loyalty program journey, and the most successful use cases.