So, you can do anything with drones today. Those in IT service know this. You can you them as toys. However, you can use them in natural disasters and save lives. But how can you better use them to transport goods? Here is introducing the tiny claw drone that perches.
So these drones have claws that not only carry things, but save battery life. Certain birds, like the owl, or songbird, inspire this feature. So do bats. Because these creatures have specific claws that help them do anything. One thing they do with these claws is hunt and gather prey. But another thing they do is perch, which means to align or rest on something.
This is where the claws come in. They are grippers that can grab certain objects. Then, these drones can perch on these objects as they travel in air or rest on something. Or the drone itself can rest on something. I saw some cool pictures where the drone perches on poles and trees. For example, say you’re flying one of these drones. Instead of bringing it to you, you can rest, or perch it, on a tree in your backyard. Then, it will rest itself and shut off it’s own motors. That’s how you save battery life.
In some cases, this may be a necessity. But there are some difficulties. First of all, how do you secure it tightly enough so that it perches right without the drone being dropped? Then, how do you keep it from being stolen? Let’s say you’re indoors. Yet, someone knows that you perched the drone. They can take control of the drone, un-perch it, and you’ll never see it again. But keep in mind, they’re just introducing the tiny claw drone that perches. This is still in the research stage. And as anyone in computer repair will tell you, research is critical.? Do you see this drone having a future, or doing well in the future?
So wireless headphones are convenient? as well as popular. In fact, Apple sold over 28 million Apple Airpods so far. This shows no signs of slowing down. But health experts and researchers worry. Can wireless headphones cause cancer?
So these concerns mainly come from the UN (United Nations) and WHO (World Health Organization). About 250 health leaders signed pacts with these global institutions. Because they have serious concerns about Apple Airpods and other wireless headphones causing cancer. Already, there are legal limits to avoid this threat. For example, they can only allow so many EMF’s (electromagnetic radio waves). But is that enough? Some of these health leaders say no, it’s not.
Because some of these experts say EMF’s isn’t the only problem. The big problem is how we wear these wireless headphones. We wear them in the ear canal. One health professor argues headphones this close to the ear canal exposes the canals to radiation. He also goes on to say EMF exposure this close can affect them, even though the EMF is at or below the legal limit. They say more needs to be done. This is why they signed these petitions. They also lists other potential effects of wireless headphones: memory loss, brain disorders, even the increase of stress.
So what do we in IT service and IT support make of this? Obviously, a lot more research needs to be done. I’m not going to change my listening habits over the report of 250 scientists. I don’t care how intelligent and hard working they are. But it is something to consider, and not to totally ignore. This is why I’m glad they signed the petition, but I want more proof. At least this starts the conversation. They also say cell phones cause cancer. Some people dismiss that. But some other still believe that. So can wireless headphones cause cancer?
So thirty years ago, Sir Tim Berners-Lee gave a plan for a computer information management system. That system eventually became what we know today as the Internet. The IT support era was about to begin. But now, he finds himself in a new battle. Let’s see how this Internet pioneer fights online misinformation.
So Berners-Lee’s new letter of concern talks about three issues of misinformation. The first is malicious intent. This includes hacking, online bullying, sextortion, and promoting criminal behavior like terrorism. Then there is the second concern. Berners-Lee calls this, “…creating perverse incentives.”. This includes companies rewarding third-parties to publish misinformation. But the third is the grayest of them all. This is what he calls, “…unintended negative consequences”. You may not mean to harm someone. But the damage is already done.
But first, let me call to Berners-Lee’s optimist spirit. He says we should never give up on the Internet. However, he makes it clear there is a lot of work to do. He calls on laws to make the first concern tougher for the bad guys to do. For the second and third concerns, he calls for all of us in the IT service industry to consider new designs and patterns. Like most, he’s tired of the social division online and calls for us all to come together. Because all of us, governments, businesses and individuals need to come together to solve these problems.
I agree with Berners…somewhat. Look at his first concern. How many lives do malicious intent destroy? I think too many to count. So yes, I’m with him there. But the second, and especially the third, I don’t know. Because this is what could lead to censorship. What I mean is, if it offends somebody, then they can just take it down. That’s an assault on free speech. Yes, we do need to exercise responsibility and common sense.? But I’m afraid where this could lead. They could call anything that offends anybody, “misinformation”. Censorship is even more dangerous than the bad content itself. So this is how this Internet pioneer fights online misinformation. I agree it’s a big problem. But what do we do about it?
So what does the upcoming 2020 election and big IT service have in common? Apparently, lots. Because one presidential hopeful vows to break up big tech companies. It’s Senator Elizabeth Warren vs. big tech.
So recently, the Massachusetts senator called for major tech companies to break up. These include Amazon, Google and Facebook. She also called out Apple. Sen. Warren suggests that Apple should spin off it’s Apple Store. As you know, that’s where Apple users get all their apps from. She claims these companies “bulldozed” small companies and gives competition little, if any, chances. Then she pledged strict anti-trust laws.
One thing she would do is prevent all these mergers, like WhatsApp with Facebook and Whole Foods with Amazon. There would also be stricter regulations for those IT support companies who make over $25 billion a year. For example, Amazon wouldn’t be able to sell it’s own products against competitors on it’s website. Google wouldn’t be able to promote it’s own ratings features over Yelp. She compared Silicon Valley in the early 21st century to big oil and big railroads of the early 20th century. In her plan, for example, Google would have to sale Nest and Waze.
So what is to make of this? In principal I do sympathize with Sen. Warren. It’s a shame that most of big tech is in control of a handful of companies. Also shameful is that when a group of entrepreneurs want to start a tech company, they’re often either swallowed up or bought out by the big boys. Then look at the retail industry. For example, in two days, over 450 retail stores went out of business. Gee, I wonder where these consumers are going. However, I doubt what Sen. Warren is proposing is realistic. How is she going to force Apple to give up it own Apple Store? How is she going to force Google to sale back Nest and Waze? They won’t. This fight between Senator Elizabeth Warren vs. big tech is just beginning. How will it end?
So, a miracle is taking place in the IT support world. After years of scandal and scrutiny, from Russia hacking allegations to Cambridge Analytica, Facebook vows to do something about it. Now, Facebook cares about your privacy.
So on Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his plan to make Facebook more secure for all. This includes encrypting messages. This also could include combining Facebook services. I’m talking about things like WhatsApp and Instagram. Also, soon you can send messages using SMS (short message service). But this will be an optional service. There’s a reason why Facebook would merger it’s big 3 services. It’s because by combining the 3, you can send encrypted messages.
As of now, you can’t do that. Zuckerberg himself said the three fastest features have to do with privacy. They are small chat, private messaging and diapering content. Then there is the Stories feature. You tell your story in moving still pictures. But these stories disappear? in 24 hours after you put them up. With post you write, they can stay up there forever. Maybe that’s why 500 million are using the Instagram Stories app. He also stated that people should feel comfortable about posting. They shouldn’t have to fear what might happen later.
But some people are still skeptical. One senator from Hawaii tweeted his praise for the encryption, he was cynical about the privacy. But I say let’s give this a try. It’s a start, and a good one. The conference I saw Wednesday was a good one. Zuckerberg said the right things and made good promises. Can he keep them? IT service companies have let us down before. That’s why so many are so cynical. Maybe recent hackings and scandals woke him up. Who knows, maybe it will wake up other Silicon Valley leaders as well. Now, Facebook cares about your privacy. But is it because they have to now?
