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Increasingly parents and schools are relying on technology for children’s education and mobile application development companies are delivering rich experiences through their products in this area. Popular digital education website like Khan’s Academy and the mobile application Byju’s that was recently taken over by Facebook are a strong case in point in favour of the many merits of education apps and the reach they have. The engaging nature of the application, the paces being set to the student’s learning speed and the revisit and recall factor all add to its many benefits in gaining popularity amongst children.  Mobile app development companies work in tandem with education institutions to create applications that use the experiential learning format to engage children as individuals and groups through activities. Android is the leading mobile operating system with over 1 billion applications in its app market, the Google Play Store. It has greater reach since the open source platfor

Google announced the new “In-Apps” application for Android that is a search tab for locating content within applications. To be concise, the search mode will henceforth be named “In Apps” and can be used by users to search contacts, notes or music on their device applications. Currently, the applications activities are limited to Google applications that are YouTube, Spotify and Gmail, and will shortly extend to popular applications such as LinekedIn and Facebook Messenger. How does it work? In App is an offline feature as it conducts search across the Android device, and not the internet or cloud storage. It is similar to Apple’s Spotlight that allows user to find data directly on the phone. Until now, Google used the Firebase App Indexing to help app developers to facilitate search on Google for online information and be redirected to the application. This type of search allows the user to view app content directly. With In App search, user’s search becomes more focused, as they will

Dog owners dish on how food factors into pet bonding  Ask most dog owners and they’ll tell you that they count the bonds they share with their pets among their most treasured relationships. However, that boundless affection and loyalty isn’t a one-sided effort; dog owners are demonstrating their puppy love in numerous ways, especially when it comes to chow time. There’s much to be said for the unique relationship people share with their dogs, according to the 2018 Pets and People Survey by Just Right by Purina . Nearly unanimously (95 percent), respondents said they view their dogs as part of their families, and more than half reported that their pet pals help them de-stress after a long workday and have comforted them after receiving bad news. Just like any relationship, the bond with a dog requires nurturing. As it turns out, most dog owners are working to keep the love alive with a familiar approach: the notion that the fastest path to the heart is through the stomach. After all, wh

When it comes to selecting the right food for their dogs, people often agonize about choosing among a myriad of options. Given that 95 percent of pet owners consider their pets to be part of the family, according to a Nielsen survey on The Humanization of Pet Food, pet parents typically want to provide a well-balanced diet, made from quality ingredients. Whether looking to introduce variety into a pet’s diet or address a problem, such as a food sensitivity or weight issue, the right pet food can nurture pets and address health issues. “There are so many well-formulated dog foods to choose from today,” said Dr. Jennifer Adolphe, senior nutritionist, Petcurean. “Like humans, all animals are unique, so it just takes a little patience and persistence to find the recipe that is best for each pet.” Keep these tips in mind when evaluating what might be best for your pup: Look at the ingredients High-quality, whole-food ingredients like fresh meats, fruits, vegetables and grains provide the es

While a haircut is often the first thing that comes to mind when pet parents contemplate a visit to the groomer, those visits can involve much more than a bath and trim. It can also include spa-like skin and paw treatments, deep moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for healthy skin and a lustrous coat, de-shedding and flea or tick treatments. These treatments are all in addition to the expert clipping, shaving and nail trims you might expect. Grooming is more than an attractive hairdo; every breed, regardless of size, age or coat type, needs regular grooming for overall wellbeing and to help prevent problems such as excessive shedding, skin and paw irritation, painful mats and bad breath. For certain longer-haired breeds, more frequent grooming may be necessary. While grooming is a necessity, it may sound more pleasant to pet parents than pets, especially dogs that are new to the experience or don’t visit the groomer regularly. “While a day at the groomer is enjoyable for some pets,

Despite the fact that cats are more prevalent as pets than dogs, only about one cat per every five dogs receives regular veterinary care. In fact, some research suggests that as many as 50 percent of cat owners don’t take their cats to the vet. There are a number of factors that contribute to limited veterinary visits for cats. According to a survey by Royal Canin, two-thirds of cat owners simply believe cats have fewer health issues than dogs. However, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), routine check-ups are vital for giving cats long, happy and healthy lives. Cats age more rapidly than humans, and they are quite adept at hiding sickness and pain, making it difficult to know if there is something wrong that requires veterinary attention. Hidden diseases commonly go untreated for this reason, which is why the Take Your Cat to the Vet initiative was created to spread awareness about the importance of preventative feline veterinary care. For example, up

Bringing home a puppy or kitten can lead to a lot of excitement. However, discussing issues that may arise and preparing in advance for a new pet’s arrival can help make for a smooth transition. Consider these tips from the pet experts at PetSmart Charities to help make your new pet’s adjustment to its forever home a resounding success. Know that pet parenting is a lifetime commitment.  That oh-so-sweet puppy or kitten stage only lasts so long, so be sure that you’re prepared to give a lifetime of loving care. Nurturing the bond you create during the early months can create a foundation for lifelong companionship. Consider adoption first.  There are literally thousands of animals of all breeds and ages looking for loving homes. Consider adopting a pet that needs a home from a local shelter or adoption event. “When you consider an option like adoption, you can make sure one less dog or cat is living in a shelter while also providing the gift of unconditional love to a furry friend in ne

When temperatures drop, humans know to bundle up and avoid excess time outdoors. The same approach should be taken when it comes to pets. They may be covered by cozy fur coats, but not all of those coats are created equally. "Hypothermia is a real danger for pets in the wintertime, and despite pets' natural fur coats, it doesn't take long for hypothermia to set in and cause serious problems," said Jennifer Freeman, DVM, PetSmart's resident veterinarian and pet care expert. Freeman recommends keeping an eye out for the initial signs of hypothermia, such as skin that's cold to the touch, pale skin and gums, intense shivering and lethargy. In addition, she offers these tips to help protect your pet from a blustery winter: Outdoor access:  Limit walks in extreme cold weather and monitor your pet's behavior for signs of stress or discomfort. Never leave a pet outside during a winter storm. Do not let your dog off its leash after snowfall. Snow masks familiar sc

Take Charge of Your Child’s Vision Health Although many children receive a vision screening at school or by their pediatricians, those evaluations aren’t enough to identify vision issues and manage overall vision health. Parents who take a proactive role in their child’s vision health can help identify and correct problems before they impact everyday life. One common issue affecting children is myopia. Better known as nearsightedness, myopia is a condition in which close-up objects appear clear but, at a distance, everything becomes blurry and out of focus. If untreated, over time it can put the eyes at risk for serious vision-threatening conditions including retinal detachment, early cataract development, macular degeneration and glaucoma. There can be significant short-term impacts, too. Nearly 50 percent of children with myopia experience difficulty in the classroom, and 41 percent of parents with myopic children claim their children struggle with everyday activities, according to

Make a Difference in Education 6 ways to contribute to schools in your community (Family Features) In communities across the country, many cities and towns revolve around their local school districts. As education is considered one of the backbones of society, it’s common for community members to seek ways to assist students through school-related programs. If you’re interested in making a positive impact on your local schools, teachers and students, consider these tips from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer: Donate Supplies From pens and pencils to computer monitors and other tech devices, schools are seemingly always in need of tools to help students thrive in a hands-on learning environment. Consider donating your gently used items for students to use in the classroom. For example, you may have binders, folders and writing utensils in your home office that could be used in a school setting, or you can eve