So, it’s officially a week before Christmas Day. But you still can’t figure out what tech or?IT support gift to give. How does a wireless charger sound? Wireless chargers: Last minute holiday gifts.
So you think a wireless charger is too expensive, do you? No, they are not. Because thanks to online shopping electronics store AUKEY, you can get a charger for under $20. First, the AUKEY wireless charger will run you about $13. It will recharge any smart device up to 5W. It’s lightweight, and comes in only one color: black. It also works will all the latest and most recent smartphone models, like iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9. After all, you did pay around $1,000 for the most expensive phones (some of our computer repair clients did). So why break the bank even more for a wireless charger?
Then there is the AUKEY fast wireless charger. It will run you around $18. Please that I’m not including any kind of special shipping costs. But this one will charge your smart device at 10W. It also works with all kinds of phones, including the latest ones. It has the same safety features and package goodies as AUKEY”s regular wireless charger. The only thing that’s different is: The fast one charges at twice the speed, for what it’s worth.
However, there is a bit of bad news. Apparently, yesterday and yesterday only, Amazon ran a sale in which they cut these prices in half (just one more reason for me not to like Amazon that much). They could a least have these sales for 3 or 4 days. But these chargers are excellent buys. There will be no more looking for plugs and outlets, though more public places are accommodating that. Furthermore, no more lugging around these wires, because they can be a pain, trust me. In fact, trust anybody on that one. I’m not one bragging about other people’s products, but I think this is a good buy for a Christmas present. Wireless Chargers: Last minute holiday gifts. Does this make a good one?
So Friday, I was to catch a plane. However, they delayed my flight for three hours. Thankfully, they let me know from my smartphone. A few extra hours lounging at home is better than long hours of frustration at the airport. But Google Assistant wants to do this as well. Google Assistant and flight delays: Is it necessary?
In fact, Google Assistant wants to go even further. Because they’re now predicting your next potential flight delay. They will use AI algorithms to predict your flight will be delayed. Then, they will notify you on your smartphone. They just came out with this today, but in will be in waves. By February 2019, everyone should have this feature…if you want it.
For example, they can see if an flight before you is going to be late. If it is, then they will tell you that your flight may be late too. Also, they use these algorithms on flight data and patterns. Google tried something like this before. Back in January 2018, they introduced a system that told you about cancellations, not delays. Furthermore, few people know about it. In our computer repair business, not too many people knew about this, either. And believe me, we serve a lot of people who travel a lot and nobody said anything about this January 2018 feature.
So this Google Assistant and flight delays feature: It it necessary? It is not! Here’s why: If your flight is delayed, then chances are somebody will notify you. It could be the airline, the third party booker (like Expedia or Booking.com), etc. As long as you have a smartphone, somebody else will notify you. Also, this Google Assistant feature is all about speculation. What if they tell your flight might be late, but it isn’t? Now you missed your flight all because of Google Assistant’s speculation. Is Google Assistant going to pay your rebooking fees? Are they going to do anything about your frustration at the airport?
So in the computer repair industry, many of our customers don’t really want Windows 10. They give several reasons for this. But could they be onto something? Is Windows 10 sending and keeping our data?
So according to a new report from a Reddit user, Windows 10 could be collecting and sending and keeping our data. This is really concerning because Microsoft gave Windows 10 a Privacy Dashboard. This includes secure data security and privacy settings. The Reddit user himself said he still got Activity History data. That means he found out Windows 10 sends his history to Microsoft servers, even though he doesn’t want them to. However, he turned off this app on his machine. Yet, he’s still getting this. Windows 10 need Activity History for their timeline.
People use this app, on all their devices, to see their history of web surfing. But Microsoft keeps that data in a log so it can be ready to reveal your history. In order for this to happen, Windows 10, has to send your history to Microsoft. That raises eyebrows, like it did this Reddit user who brought it up. However, according to How to Geek, you can remedy this. Just set your Windows 10 data collection from Basic to Full. Because in Basic mode, your activity can reach Microsoft servers. But in full mode, it can’t.
This may of be of little concern to a lot of people. But privacy and security are critical issues in IT service these days. For instance, what if a hacker, or somebody with a grudge, breaks into these Windows servers? Then, what is they get this information, and use it to ruin your life? It happens. Or worse, what if a terrorist or foreign enemy, or domestic terrorist here at home, uses this to cause havoc? I’ve thought about that. Is Windows 10 sending and keeping our data?
So we all know AI/robotic technology is the wave of the IT service and tech future. We may not like it, but we can’t deny it either. We also know it has severe setbacks; an Amazon warehouse is finding that out the hard way. Amazon robot goes wild: Should this shock us?
This all happened at an Amazon warehouse in Robbinsville, New Jersey, about 40 miles northeast of Philadelphia, PA. A robot accidentally opened a can of bear repellent. This nine ounce can had?Capsaican, a powerful poison they use in mace and pepper spray. So as you can imagine, the fumes the employees breathed in were pretty powerful.
They sent 24 workers to local hospitals. In fact, one employee ended up in critical condition. They immediately sent fire and paramedics to the scene. Also, they treated another 30 employees right there in the warehouse. However, there is some good news. They treated and released most of the injured within 24 hours. Then, they were able to give the all clear to the warehouse so it could restart it’s activities. Amazon released a statement about this incident. They thanked the first responders for their quick action and told the public that safety was Amazon’s first concern.
Like I said, thankfully, there were no fatalities and only one major injury. This could be a lot worse. But this does raise questions about robot safety in workplaces. It did for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. Their leader said, “Amazon’s automated robots put humans in life-threatening danger today.”. Then he called out Amazon for continuing dangerous labor practices. Well, Amazon certainly got lucky this time. But this isn’t the first time people got hurt while working for the world’s richest corporation. That is a fact. Does Amazon hold so much power that governments and media are too scared to investigate? That’s even scarier. Amazon robot goes wild. Should this shock us?
So Go Pro is an IT service firm that makes action cameras. They also make mobile apps and video software. Their targets are people who film extreme sports and other high-risk activities. But they can’t escape the volatile economic world we’re in today. Go Pro vs China: Tariff war warrior or casualty?
So as most of us know, China and the US are in this tariff war. As a result, Go Pro promises to move their manufacturing services out of China. They’re not the only ones, but as huge players in technology, they’re the most vocal. Furthermore, Go Pro says all their building and making operations will be out of China by summer 2019.
Go Pro leaders flat out said they’re doing it because they want to lower their costs. They don’t want to deal with the tariff effects, either. So where are they going? Don’t get too excited or hopeful. Because these manufacturing jobs are not?coming to the USA. However, they mention nations like Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan. These are China’s neighbors, who will make these cameras at an even lower cost. Go Pro leaders don’t shy away from this. In fact, they brag about owning their own equipment. However, they say they want to make this move at a low cost.
And that’s the catch-22 between this tariff war. Many actually think, or even hope, that this war will eventually bring American jobs back. But I don’t see it happening. And Go Pro isn’t the only one doing this. Because they’re other companies moving their operations out of China. It isn’t even because of the trade wars. This is because China is getting too expensive for some of these companies. In computer repair, when he hear a part is coming from China or that part of the world, it frustrates everybody. Go Pro vs China: Are there any winners here?
