Fruit fly larvae detect light via bodys network of photoreceptors
Light activates class IV dendritic arborization neurons. Pre-stimulation image showing larval dorsal cluster sensory neurons. Image credit: Nature, doi:10.1038/nature09576 (PhysOrg.com) — New research in the U.S. has discovered that fruit fly larvae have a series of photoreceptors covering the body that can detect light even when their primitive “eyes” are covered or removed. The ability to sense light is important for fruit fly larvae because they burrow into rotting fruit, covering their rudimentary eyes (known as Bolwig organs) on their heads as they do so. If their entire body is buried in the fruit there is less chance of predation, and so having a way of detecting light alerts them to the fact the body is exposed and therefore vulnerable. Young larvae can also die if exposed to bright light for too long.The researchers, Yang Xian and colleagues from the University of California at San Franciso, New York University and the Janelia Farm Research Campus in Virginia, compared the reactions to light of intact wild-type fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and those with non-functioning Bolwig organs. Their results showed both groups of larvae moved away from light at intensities of 0.57 mW mm-2 or higher, but at lower light intensities those lacking Bolwig organs were less sensitive to the light. (A typical bright sunny day represents light intensity of around 1 mW mm-2.) Both groups of larvae were highly sensitive to short wavelengths (blue, violet and ultraviolet) and less sensitive to longer wavelengths (red and green). PausePlay% buffered00:0000:00UnmuteMuteDisable captionsEnable captionsSettingsCaptionsDisabledQuality0SpeedNormalCaptionsGo back to previous menuQualityGo back to previous menuSpeedGo back to previous menu0.5×0.75×Normal1.25×1.5×1.75×2×Exit fullscreenEnter fullscreen This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Explore further Play This movie shows photoavoidance of a wt larva to the light spot of 0.57 mW/mm2. Video: Nature, doi:10.1038/nature09576 The scientists identified the mechanism by which the larvae detect light, which is a network of neurons of a type called class IV dendritic arborization neurons covering the larva’s body. They tagged the neurons with a fluorescent molecule that glows green in the presence of calcium, which is released when the neurons fire, and this made the network visible when a light was shone on the larvae. They found the neurons were sensitive to light even when dissected from the larvae, and no other factors such as touch, temperature or reactive oxygen concentrations are involved.The report, published in the journal Nature concludes that in dim light the Bolwig organs are the primary light sensors but in bright light the array of neurons becomes the main light sensing mechanism. The authors said further research is needed to reveal the molecular mechanism that enables the neurons to respond to light, and to find out if any other animals use a similar network of photoreceptors. More information: Light-avoidance-mediating photoreceptors tile the Drosophila larval body wall, Nature advance online publication 10 November 2010. doi:10.1038/nature09576 © 2010 PhysOrg.com Citation: Fruit fly larvae detect light via body’s network of photoreceptors (2010, November 12) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2010-11-fruit-larvae-body-network-photoreceptors.html Gene causes blue light to have a banana odor 
Light activates class IV dendritic arborization neurons. Pre-stimulation image showing larval dorsal cluster sensory neurons. Image credit: Nature, doi:10.1038/nature09576 (PhysOrg.com) — New research in the U.S. has discovered that fruit fly larvae have a series of photoreceptors covering the body that can detect light even when their primitive “eyes” are covered or removed. The ability to sense light is important for fruit fly larvae because they burrow into rotting fruit, covering their rudimentary eyes (known as Bolwig organs) on their heads as they do so. If their entire body is buried in the fruit there is less chance of predation, and so having a way of detecting light alerts them to the fact the body is exposed and therefore vulnerable. Young larvae can also die if exposed to bright light for too long.The researchers, Yang Xian and colleagues from the University of California at San Franciso, New York University and the Janelia Farm Research Campus in Virginia, compared the reactions to light of intact wild-type fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and those with non-functioning Bolwig organs. Their results showed both groups of larvae moved away from light at intensities of 0.57 mW mm-2 or higher, but at lower light intensities those lacking Bolwig organs were less sensitive to the light. (A typical bright sunny day represents light intensity of around 1 mW mm-2.) Both groups of larvae were highly sensitive to short wavelengths (blue, violet and ultraviolet) and less sensitive to longer wavelengths (red and green). PausePlay% buffered00:0000:00UnmuteMuteDisable captionsEnable captionsSettingsCaptionsDisabledQuality0SpeedNormalCaptionsGo back to previous menuQualityGo back to previous menuSpeedGo back to previous menu0.5×0.75×Normal1.25×1.5×1.75×2×Exit fullscreenEnter fullscreen This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Explore further Play This movie shows photoavoidance of a wt larva to the light spot of 0.57 mW/mm2. Video: Nature, doi:10.1038/nature09576 The scientists identified the mechanism by which the larvae detect light, which is a network of neurons of a type called class IV dendritic arborization neurons covering the larva’s body. They tagged the neurons with a fluorescent molecule that glows green in the presence of calcium, which is released when the neurons fire, and this made the network visible when a light was shone on the larvae. They found the neurons were sensitive to light even when dissected from the larvae, and no other factors such as touch, temperature or reactive oxygen concentrations are involved.The report, published in the journal Nature concludes that in dim light the Bolwig organs are the primary light sensors but in bright light the array of neurons becomes the main light sensing mechanism. The authors said further research is needed to reveal the molecular mechanism that enables the neurons to respond to light, and to find out if any other animals use a similar network of photoreceptors. More information: Light-avoidance-mediating photoreceptors tile the Drosophila larval body wall, Nature advance online publication 10 November 2010. doi:10.1038/nature09576 © 2010 PhysOrg.com Citation: Fruit fly larvae detect light via body’s network of photoreceptors (2010, November 12) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2010-11-fruit-larvae-body-network-photoreceptors.html Gene causes blue light to have a banana odor
Advice for bag-in-box wine drinkers: Keep it cool Credit: CC0 Public Domain © 2017 Phys.org Explore further Taste, like most everything else related to the senses, is purely subjective—one person may love the taste of chocolate while another finds it dull and pasty. How, then, could scientists possibly conduct an experiment designed to decide which of two methods of storing wine is “better?”The answer lies with science. Rather than just asking people which they prefer, the researchers plan to put sensors on the heads of taste testers while they sip. The sensors will monitor brain pleasure responses and translate them into numbers that can be used for comparison purposes. The researchers will also be looking at other factors that might be related to how we register the taste of wine. Does hearing the cork pop, for example, induce greater or lesser enjoyment? What about participating in opening the bottle? Does smelling the wine before drinking have an impact? Do different types of cork cause the wine to taste differently? The researchers plan to find out.Logic suggests that wines stored with corks likely taste different—the cork allows fresh air to enter the bottle while air inside gets out—corks allow the wine to “breathe,” unlike screwcaps, which hold everything in place.The debate over which storage method tastes better extends beyond those who drink wine—winemakers, too, have engaged in such arguments, making assertions that until now have not been based on objective facts. It is likely many will be rooting for the screw cap, however, as approximately 20 percent of wine that is bottled with a cork is lost to cork taint—a fungus that ruins the wine.
(Phys.org)—A team of researchers with Oxford University (with assistance from Bompas & Parr) in collaboration with the Portuguese Cork Association is gearing up to settle the dispute over whether wine tastes better when stored in bottles with corks or screw caps—and they are not simply taking the word of tasters. They are going to study wine drinkers’ brains while they sip. The event, Neuroenological Tasting—The Grand Cork Experiment, is scheduled for today and tomorrow, and those in London’s Soho area who are interested in participating are encouraged to sign up. Citation: Scientists to settle dispute over taste of wine in bottles with corks versus screw caps (2017, July 28) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2017-07-scientists-dispute-wine-bottles-corks.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
Where does the name of your band come from? Akash: While I was in Visakhapatnam during the initial days of my college there I used to hang around a lot with my friends near the beach so that’s how we came up with our band’s name Parallel to the Beach.Tell us about how you guys started off?Manas: Initially prakhar and me were part of a metal band called Capitol Punishment then it got disintegrated due to various reason then I got to know about Akash through Prakhar and I knew Ayan since my school days then later on Sharaj and Arnab joined us. Also Read – ‘Playing Jojo was emotionally exhausting’What is your original brand of music? Do you guys have a signature sound?Arnab: We believe in randomness so as such there’s no signature sound kind of thing. For the time being we play alt rock.Tell us about the initial years after kick-off till how it has been thus far?Sharaj: Well its been a great time since the beginning of PT2B. I’ve waited for a long time for such thing to happen. So it feels great to be a part of a band like this. Honestly speaking I’ve been craving to be a part of such a band. So it does feel awesome. Also Read – Leslie doing new comedy special with NetflixHow does it feel to perform with three other bands?Ayan: It feels awesome . its been a pleasure to play with such brilliant bands. we feel happy about it. The best part is that we get to know by a lot of people. So its cool.What plans for 2013?Prakhar: for 2013 we plan to grab all opportunities and play on stage as much as possible. We wish to compose more new songs and make it reach to a large number of people.What got you to take part in a music festival like Metanoia and how do you see this working for you?Akash: Well we saw metanoia as a great opportunity. We wanted people to hear us and we hope they liked our music. Thus Metanoia gave us a grand platform to perform.
Kolkata: At a time when the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is requesting owners of old and dilapidated buildings to maintain the structures or pull them down to make rooms for new ones, an old house in shambles has been restored.The house situated on Radha Kanta Jew Street at Fariapukur off Shyambazar in north Kolkata now houses the Calcutta Bungalow.Iftekhar Ahsan along with his friend Chris Chen purchased the old and dilapidated three-storeyed building, which was constructed in 1926, almost four years ago. The building is a classic example of the golden era of Calcutta’s (now Kolkata) architecture. Also Read – Heavy rain hits traffic, flightsThe Calcutta Bungalow is a guest house with bed and breakfast facilities. There are six well appointed rooms with all modern amenities. The breakfast is typically Bengali cuisine.One of the unique aspects of this Bungalow is its own perfumery which is an attempt to revive the perfume tradition of old Kolkata. It may be mentioned that H Bose, the inventor of Kuntalin, has set up a perfumery which had received kudos from Europe. There will be an in-house curio shop where the produce of local artisans will be kept. There is also a plan to open a rooftop coffee shop. Also Read – Speeding Jaguar crashes into Merc, 2 B’deshi bystanders killedIftekhar Ahsan, the founder of Calcutta Walks, which organises walk through lanes and by lanes of the city to gain knowledge of its heritage said: “The whole purpose of the guest house is to have an idea of Kolkata’s rich history and tradition. The guests can interact with the locals.” Restoring the old structure was a real tough job and it took over two years to complete. The originality has been maintained. The long verandah, a typical old Kolkata style has been restored. The iron beams have been repaired. The roof which was in bad shape has been repaired thoroughly. The masons who are experts in restoring old structures particularly door sized windows and roofs were engaged.”We want to set an example and expect more people to come forward and restore old buildings which are Kolkata’s pride,” said Ahsan.Senior KMC officials lauded the attempt and said the civic authorities are encouraging people to buy old structures and restore them keeping their originality. It may be mentioned that the house of Rajendranath Mookerjee on Harrington Street has been renovated.
Dr B P Sharma has taken over as Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans Ltd (PHL). Prior to this he was working as APD and ED- Projects at AAI, Kolkata Airport. He is graduate engineer with an MBA and PhD in Business Administration Change Management in Civil Aviation.Sharma has 28 years of multifaceted experience in the field of Civil Aviation Management, planning & developing engineering proposals for airport facilities i.e. runways, taxiways, aprons, terminal building, airport ground lighting systems, airport operations/management, contract & project management, capital budget and revenue generation budgeting, progress and revenue/capital budget monitoring, maintenance & operations of various Engineering Services.
Kolkata: In a bid to ensure the safety of passengers while they travel in buses, an initiative has been taken to organise training programmes for as many as 1,200 bus drivers of South Bengal State Transport Corporation under the project Safe Drive Save Life.The training has been organised at the Traffic Training School of the Kolkata Traffic Police. The 1,200 drivers of the state-run buses will get trained in phases and the programme will continue for one-and-a-half-months. Also Read – Speeding Jaguar crashes into Merc, 2 B’deshi bystanders killedAfter inaugurating the training programme, Suvendu Adhikari, the state Transport minister, said: “The main target is to ensure safe and secured journey of the passengers. I hope the training will be helpful for drivers.” He further added that around 85 to 90 percent road accidents take place due to human errors. Mistakes can happen both in the case of drivers as well as pedestrians. Programmes to create awareness among people have been taken up. Now, the training of the bus drivers will improve the situation further. Also Read – Naihati: 10 councillors return to TMC from BJPIt may be mentioned that the state government has taken several steps to check road accidents in Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had launched the state-wide Safe Drive Save Life campaign that has helped in bringing down the rate of accidents in the state. The state Transport department has also allotted funds for different police Commissionerates and the state police to create necessary arrangements to check road accidents. Besides creating awareness among people, steps were also taken to create the necessary infrastructure to control road accidents. It may be recalled that the state Transport department and the police had earlier taken up an initiative to ensure that drivers do not use mobile phones while driving. It is learnt that during the training, the drivers will be told about the situation that often leads to accidents and one of the causes is the use of cell phones during driving. The police also pasted stickers and posters on vehicles containing messages on the quantum of punishment if caught speaking on mobile phones while driving. The small-size stickers were pasted at a corner of windscreens of vehicles so that it acts as a constant reminder for drivers.
Two militants of Pakistan-based 
The Trinamool Congress made a clean sweep of the three civic bodies, including the high profile Bidhannagar-Rajarhat Municipal Corporation, the Asansol Municipal Corporation and the Bally-Howrah Municipal Corporation – the results for which were declared on Saturday.The victories reiterated the Trinamool Congress’ continuing hold over 
Kolkata: Thousands of students pursuing education in distance mode in the state will be suffering as University Grants Commission (UGC) has excluded four universities from the list of varsities offering distance-mode education.Rabindra Bharati University, North Bengal University, Vidyasagar University and Kalyani University do not feature on the UGC list.The only two varsities in the state that appear in the list includes Burdwan University and Netaji Subhas Open University. Also Read – Rain batters Kolkata, cripples normal life”We are completely in the dark about why the UGC has excluded us. We have not received any written communication from the UGC. We have as many as 44 study centres in the state from Alipurduar in North Bengal to the Sunderbans in South 24-Parganas. Every year, nearly 20,000 students seek admission in distance mode,” said Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University (RBU).RBU V-C has personally spoken with state Education minister Partha Chatterjee and informed him the matter. Also Read – Speeding Jaguar crashes into Mercedes car in Kolkata, 2 pedestrians killed”I will act as per instructions of the Higher Education department,” he added.According to sources, the UGC has been dissatisfied with the teachers of the universities when it comes to offering distance-mode education. “We have already given the undertaking that we are recruiting teachers. So, the UGC’s stand has come as a surprise,” Basu Ray Chaudhury said.All the four universities have already started recruiting teachers and expect to complete it in less than a month.”The UGC has given us a month’s time in which we can present a fresh representation for recognition. We will revert to the UGC within a month,” a senior official of Vidyasagar University (VU) said.VU has been offering education in distance mode for a period of 25 years.The universities will now abstain from bringing out any notification regarding admission which would have otherwise started from this month itself.
Art of North India was revealed in an entirely new way with the book launch of ‘Contemporary Art North India’, at India International centre, with the member of Rajya Sabha, Dr Karan Singh launching the book written by three dynamic writers Rajesh Chadha, Nonika Singh and Guneeta Chadha .Being an ode to visual art, the book not only brings together artists from the northern region – a region which has never got its due for its immense contribution in the field of art but artists from the region who carry the flame of bringing it to its present level and the legacy of carrying it forward. ‘Contemporary Art North India’ delves into the contemporary art scene in the northern region and profiles artists from the region. To say that most of the artists who make into the pages of this book are the real deal of the art world won’t be an exaggeration. From ace lens man Raghu Rai, gifted artist Arpana Caur, much celebrated landscape painter Pamamjit Singh to internationally acclaimed Ranbir Kaleka, printmaker Anupam Sud, Kavita Nayyar, Sidharth, Viren Tanwar, Diwan Manna and Madan Lal the list is vast and impressive. Also Read – Add new books to your shelfUnlike most books on art, this is an endeavour to bridge the gap between art lovers and artists. As a rule, artists only create their art and leave the rest to imagination of viewers. This is where the book steps in. After browsing through its pages, the authors are hopeful of creating new channels of communication. Written in lucid style, the intent is to bring the art of these great artists closer to art lovers. In the process of understanding art, either art becomes too simplistic or its complexity is enhanced manifold. Also Read – Over 2 hours screen time daily will make your kids impulsiveHopefully, the book retains the mystique of art which as internationally renowned artist Ranbir Kaleka feels, if art could be completely fathomed, it would be pointless to create it.The book while providing an insight into the artist’s mindscape doesn’t rob it off its elusive quality. Bhawna Kakar editor, curator and gallery owner who has written the forward puts it all succinctly: “Contemporary Art North India charts the trajectory of modernism in the region, tracing aesthetic influences and history leading up to its contemporary art.”
The beauty of Yoga Day is the truth that it binds together people of all nations, all castes, and creeds. The popularity of yoga all over the world as a lifestyle has developed into a deep and abiding interest in yoga and daily human practices of it.Sculptor Arun Pandit has created a bronze sculpture of the seated yoga asana which goes back to ancient historical roots in India based on a far more wide-ranging spiritual and philosophical practice and meaning. Also Read – Add new books to your shelf”I created this work keeping in mind the practice as well as the heritage symbol it contains,” says Pandit who is a National Award winner as well as known for his Garuda at the Tirupathi Airport. “The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit term meaning ‘union’ and it is actually about connecting the mind, body, and soul,” adds Pandit. Pandit’s bronze is a striking work that at once speaks to us about the truth that yoga harnesses the senses in an ever-flowing movement towards liberation, or the Absolute, which in yogic philosophy lies as much within the body as without. Indeed it is the meditation that gives us the power to visualize as also the practice of self-control and stillness. Yoga as a practice links us to the metaphysical and this image of the human in the mould is one that speaks to us about the many masks that we are surrounded by. Also Read – Over 2 hours screen time daily will make your kids impulsiveThe outer mould is one that Pandit has used for more than 10 years. But this outer mould also speaks to us about shutting out everyday thoughts and emotions and focusing our energies forwards and upwards. Yoga practitioners say that it provides a clarity and peace, far removed from the distractions and stresses of the everyday world. This sculpture is a reflection of positive energies, it is a catalyst for spiritual enlightenment. This yoga asana is like a spiritual roadmap that represents the body as a microcosm of the universe. This is the kind of sculpture that needs to be kept in one of the airports in the country. Making sculptures in bronze is a slow art form, with human hands – casting, made materials and its traditional processes, and the subject matter of yoga provides an inspiring signature.
Government of Delhi, Urdu Academy is organising the 30th Urdu Drama Festival at Sri Ram Centre from November 24 to 29 from 6:30 pm onward daily. The aim is to attract the audience towards different theatrical performances which will be featured during the six-day event in the Capital.The event will be inaugurated by Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi on November 24 with Imran Husain, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Delhi, who will be the Guest of Honour. Dalip Pandey, a renowned writer and member, SKP is invited as the distinguished guest for the event.
The winter season can bring some key challenges for new parents as newborns are a little more sensitive and need extra care in the cold season. Ensure their skin is well moisturised and protected, say experts. Experts have a few suggestions: Must-have body lotions for winter: To fight dryness of baby skin in winters, selecting the perfect baby lotion can be a task for parents as babies have thin skin which loses its moisture faster in comparison to adults. Body lotion with Parabens-free formula and richness of sweet almond milk are ideal for protection and moisturising baby’s delicate skin. Also Read – Add new books to your shelfMoisturising rich cream: In winter, parents should always make sure that baby is being moisturised properly, especially the most exposed areas like face, hands and legs after bath to keep the baby’s skin soft and supple throughout the day. Good quality cream with the richness of Omega-3 and Vitamin E helps in deeply nourishing skin’s driest areas keeping it nourished all along the day. Nourishment through massage oil: The skin of a newborn is very gentle and requires special care each day. Massaging the baby with special baby oil that is parabens-free and enriched with high nourishing properties of rice bran oil is very beneficial for the baby’s delicate skin. Also Read – Over 2 hours screen time daily will make your kids impulsiveWinter apparels, for keeping your baby warm with comfort: While shopping for babies, parents must look for certified and high quality natural fabrics which are soft and comfortable so that it does not cause rashes and discomfort to the baby. Protection from dry air: In winter, the humidity level drops and dry air can affect baby’s health – from nasal infection to sore throat – which they can’t even let you know, and from dry skin and cracked lips to breathing issues in some cases. A humidifier in the baby’s room adds much-needed moisture to the air and creates favourable breathing conditions, allowing your baby to sleep comfortably. Take Care of the skin: Do not apply too much of soap and leave it on the body for long as it dries up the skin causing irritation. Bath duration should not exceed 5 minutes in order to prevent over hydration of skin which may lead to easy fragility of skin and decrease threshold of injury. Give a quick bath: As baby skin is very thin and fragile you should dab rather than vigorously rubbing which results in damage to superficial layers of skin. Finish bath quickly. Keep the child warm: Make sure the baby is warm inside the home. Your baby should be well covered while you take him/her out in the winter and must be covered in woollen clothes, socks and mittens (if there’s any allergy or irritation, use cotton). The child should not be exposed to cold winds which cause can cause cold, cough and pneumonia.
Kolkata: The National Ayurveda Students’ & Youth Association (NASYA-WB) in associated with the Independent Research Ethics Society (IRES) and Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development (CARIDD) conducted a seminar at the CARIDD in the city remembering the contribution of Charaka, one of theprincipal contributors to Ayurveda. The renowned personalities in the field of Ayurveda from across the country took part in the discussion highlighting various aspects of the life of Charaka and his teachings. Also Read – Rs 13,000 crore investment to provide 2 lakh jobs: MamataThe event was organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of the historical personality. One of the main objectives of the seminar is to make people aware about Charaka. Dr Achintya Mitra, a research officer of Ayurveda, delivered his lecture on the 50 lectures of Charaka. He discussed in detail the preachings of Charaka how they are still effective and can be applied in the modern era. Another research officer Dr Dipsundar Sahoo discussed on the commentary on Charaka given by another scholar. Dr Ranjita Ekka who is also a research officer delivered her lectures on the ten diagnosis procedures as propagated by Charaka. Dr Pavan Kumar Sharma, the president of IRES in Kolkata and the director of CARIDD Dr Amit Kumar Dikshit were among the other dignitaries present in the programme. Many Ayurvedica teachers and students also took part in the programme.
Enroll Now for Free This story appears in the June 2011 issue of . Subscribe » American consumers conduct 20 billion credit card transactions each year, totaling $1.9 trillion in annual spending–numbers too eye-popping for any merchant to ignore. Yet while shoppers love the convenience of plastic, credit cards are anything but convenient for small businesses. Transaction fees can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month, dramatically reducing profit margins in the process.Actually, traditional card processing isn’t an ideal option for many types of businesses–food trucks, for example–which translates into any number of missed sales opportunities.That’s why more than 100,000 merchants nationwide sign up with Square each month. The brainchild of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, Square gives small businesses the ability to accept credit and debit card purchases anywhere, anytime via iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone.Sellers simply input the transaction total and swipe the consumer’s credit card through a dongle that plugs into the device’s audio jack. Square handles the rest. There’s a flat 2.75 percent transaction fee for all swiped Square transactions, with a 3.5 percent fee (plus a 15 cent surcharge) when transactions are keyed in manually. And that’s it–there are no additional activation costs, recurring charges, early termination penalties or hidden fees.Square, based in San Francisco, launched in late 2009, and it’s now being used to process more than $1 million in transactions each day. Want to add to that total? Here’s how.Getting StartedDownload the free Square app. If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, you can get the Square app from Apple’s iTunes App Store. If your device runs the Android operating system, visit Google’s Android Market. Black-Berry and Windows Phone users are out of luck for the time being, although Square says it’s looking to expand to other mobile platforms.Sign up. Square is available to all users with a U.S.-based bank account, U.S. mailing address and Social Security number. Businesses may also supply their employer identification number. Once registration is complete, Square sends off the free card reader–expect delivery within two weeks.Link Square to your bank account. After you’ve provided your account and routing number, Square will make two small deposits and then withdraw the sum of those deposits to verify everything’s in working order. Moving forward, Square will automatically initiate the deposit of all funds accepted using the service directly to your account within 24 hours of each transaction.Start accepting cards. Once your Square account is fully activated and your dongle has arrived, plug it into your smartphone and get down to business. Input the transaction amount and product/service description, then swipe the consumer’s card quickly and smoothly, with the black magnetic strip facing the thick end of the reader. Once the transaction is approved, a signature screen will appear; your customer signs with their finger, you input their phone number or e-mail address and the receipt is delivered. In the event that the Square reader is lost or malfunctioning, or if the customer is placing an order via phone, mail or the internet, you can still make Square transactions by manually inputting the credit card information.Toss your old credit card processing terminal. You don’t need it anymore.Money Goes MobileSquare isn’t the only mobile app transforming how goods and services are bought and sold. Wireless operators, banks, financial service providers and Silicon Valley startups are all introducing solutions designed to transform smartphones into digital wallets, enabling cutting-edge payment options as well as coupon promotions, loyalty programs and related commerce efforts. Here are just some of the companies vying to redefine how you and your customers do business.Isis, a nationwide mobile commerce network (still in the rollout stage) backed by Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile USA, makes point-of-sale transactions possible by tapping a radio microchip-equipped smartphone at a corresponding digital reader unit.By late this year, Sprint will allow small businesses to add point-of-sale purchases directly to a consumer’s monthly wireless bill. In lieu of claiming a cut of each transaction, the carrier may share in revenues resulting from sales of mobile ads and coupons transmitted to subscriber handsets.With Sprint’s Mobile Wallet, customers can make purchases directly from their phones using a universal PIN code. The merchant then bills the customer’s existing Visa, MasterCard or Amazon Payment account.Retailers can accept payments from customers who affix a quarter-size microchip sticker to their wireless device with Bling Nation’sBlingTags. The company supplies a free BlingBox–featuring an RFID reader terminal (or “Blinger”), 100 BlingTags and marketing materials. The Blinger plugs in to any electrical outlet at the point of sale, requiring no additional integration with the existing POS system. 4 min read June 7, 2011 Free Workshop | August 28: Get Better Engagement and Build Trust With Customers Now This hands-on workshop will give you the tools to authentically connect with an increasingly skeptical online audience.
August 27, 2012 Register Now » Cult of MacThe jury in the much-hyped Apple vs. Samsung patent infringement lawsuit recently handed down a verdict which basically gave Apple everything it wanted: A billion-dollar payment from Samsung, plus the possibility of an injunction against sales of infringing Samsung smartphones and tablets.Will this mega-lawsuit dramatically alter the way our devices are manufactured and, in turn, affect our decision-making process when buying a smartphone for personal or business use? Probably not.The New York Times predicted that this decision would wreak design havoc in the mobile device landscape: “Consumers could end up with some welcome diversity in phone and tablet design — or they may be stuck with devices that manufacturers have clumsily revamped to avoid crossing Apple.” Growing a business sometimes requires thinking outside the box. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Free Webinar | Sept. 9: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook for Going Global The real outcome of the Apple vs. Samsung lawsuit is likely to be more lawsuits. And perhaps higher prices for non-Apple smartphones. But in the long run, I suspect the effects of this case will be negligible to consumers and business users of mobile devices.Patent expert Thomas Frey of the Louisville, Colo.-based think tank the DaVinci Institute explains, “This is gamesmanship, it’s all moving queens and rooks around the chessboard. In the end the legalities won’t matter. All the solutions will be off the chessboard. The players will say to each other: ‘If you pay me $X, I’ll say you win.'”The recent decision will likely be appealed, and it’s possible that it may be struck down. But even if the decision stands, it’s more likely that Samsung and all Android device makers will keep doing business mainly as usual.Electronics manufacturers, especially mobile device makers, license patented technologies from each other all the time, for a fee. For instance, after a patent “misunderstanding” last year, Apple started paying Nokia an estimated $11.50 for every iPhone sold. Similarly, in a settlement agreement last year, Samsung agreed to pay Microsoft $10 to $15 for each smartphone or tablet it sells.In the U.S. market, the vast majority of smartphones are at a price heavily subsidized by wireless carriers, along with a two-year service contract — which further obscures the effect of licensing fees on phone prices.So, for smartphone users, the changes likely won’t be too noticeable and infringement lawsuits probably won’t factor into their buying decisions.Will this lawsuit affect which smartphone you buy for business? Let us know in the comments below. min read
Growing a business sometimes requires thinking outside the box. March 17, 2018 Register Now » There’s a long road ahead for us women. While our voices might be louder than ever today, what’s our true impact? Unfortunately, in technology — an industry that’s seen incredible growth over the past decade — there’s still much work to be done. Women hold a lower share of computer science jobs today than they did in the 1980s, and they make up only 20 percent of the technology workforce — even though women make up over half of the total U.S. workforce.Related: Why Investing in Women-led Startups Is the Smart MoveThe problems start when girls are young. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, many young girls are losing interest in pursuing careers in STEM. Overall, only 13 percent of young girls receiving a STEM education actually say that a job in STEM would be their number one career choice. The research found that many girls become interested in STEM at 11 but lose that interest by 15-years-old likely due to the lack of female mentors, lack of hands-on experience opportunities and gender inequality in STEM jobs.Even older women are feeling discouraged from pursuing jobs in technology because of the reputation the industry has developed over the past few years, including sex parties, gender bias and a lack of rules against sexual harassment.Related: Why Companies Lose 17 Percent of Women Employees at Mid-CareerBut some companies, nonprofits and public figures are trying to change the industry. To learn more about women in the world of tech, check out Evia Events’ infographic below.
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