So, Domino’s Pizza is filling up potholes. Yes, they’re helping fight a crisis on our roadways. But the IT service?industry is doing it’s part. They’re not just warning, but they’re doing something about it. Tech companies warn of road potholes.
So they call the company RoadBotics. They use computer technology to determine which roads has the most cracks, potholes, and other hazards. Furthermore, they’re already testing this in Savannah, Georgia. The first thing RoadBotics did is surveyed every road in the city. And I mean all 700 miles of them. They partnered with the city to do this. Then, they use smartphones to take pictures of these roads.
They also use deep learning and AI technology to show what roads are good and which ones are not. Just like traffic lights, the roads in green dots show roads in good conditions. But the roads in yellow are just in ok condition. However, the roads in red means they are full of potholes and cracks. Savannah leaders praise RoadBotics’ efforts. One of them says this totally changes the road assessment game for Savannah. But of course, you know the city or state government didn’t fund all of this. In fact, I’m not sure if they funded any of it, or how much.
This is where investors like Urban-X comes in. They’re a startup company that backs IT support companies trying to make urban life better. I think they found a winner here. Who wouldn’t want a warning of which roads are in better condition? The pothole issue sure didn’t start with our generation (although by now, it should sure end with it). Even the Romans would send officials to see which holes they needed to fix. I hope this reaches other cities. In computer repair, we’ve had tech get in car trouble over bad potholes. Now, tech companies warn of road potholes. Do you hope this comes to a road near you?
So let’s face it. Facial recognition is a controversial subject in the IT service? and IT support community. Some say it helps keep us safe and protects us from terrorists and hackers. But others say it’s another step towards privacy invasion. Microsoft addresses it all. Microsoft and facial recognition: What does it mean?
So in July 2018, Microsoft President Brad Smith wrote a blog. This blog talked about all things facial recognition, the good and the bad. He also said the company worked on a set of rules to control this new technology. But now, let’s fast forward six months to today. Yes, Smith wrote another blog post addressing facial recognition.
However, in this one, he laid out six principles that will guide Microsoft’s ambitions. They include things like fairness, consent, and accountability. They also include a term, ‘lawful surveillance’. But to Micorsoft’s credit, they are asking everybody’s opinion about this. This includes everyone, from employees, customers, lawyers, law officials, even some political leaders. They talked about other concerns too. Racial profiling is a huge one. It also seems like they want to ensure ‘human control’ of this before this controls them. Microsoft will spend much of early 2019 asking for people’s say about this.
It seems Microsoft is saying and doing all the right things. I applaud them for it. I hope they keep this up. Plus, I hope they don’t do what Amazon did. They sold their facial recognition programs to the law. Some may say this is a good idea, but I don’t. I think this gives both Amazon and law enforcement too much powers. I’m not the only one. At least with this case, Microsoft is asking for people’s input, and people from all walks of life. Of all the tech companies who control facial recognition technology, Microsoft is being the most democratic about it. Microsoft and facial recognition: What does this mean? Did you know the Real ID coming out will involve facial recognition technology?
So Forbes Magazine came out with 2018’s highest paid You Tube stars. It is an interesting list. Some of these guys cause controversy, some launched music careers. But one is only seven years old!
So let’s start with the more controversial ones. For example, there’s Logan Paul. His video features pranks and dare-devil like stunts. But back in January, he filmed a video, with a man hanging from a tree in the background as a result from a suicide. You Tube offed him from their Preferred program, which gives You Tubers great status with advertisers. He lost a few subscribers as well. But he bounced back nicely. Because his 2018 You Tube pay is 14.5 million dollars.
Then there is PewDiePie, a Swedish gamer. Last year, he got in trouble because of some anti-Semetic remarks. He quickly made thing up. Now, advertisers are back and his channel is going strong. In 2018, his channel made him $15.5 million. There is Jacksepticeye. He critiques video games, but his strong language can raise eyebrows sometimes. However, not only did his strong language earn him $16 million in 2018, but it got him a series, with, of all companies, Disney.
Second on the list is Jake Paul, Logan Paul’s younger brother. His rap songs got over 3.5 billion views.? These songs helped him get over 21.5 million dollars in 2018. I see everybody on this list is under 30. Also, many people on this list are gamers. Many people in the IT service and computer repair industry are passionate gamers, so maybe they’re onto something. But the top of 2018’s highest paid You Tube stars is only 7! His name is Ryan and his channel is Ryan ToysReview. He plays with and reviews toys. He has over 17 million subscribers and counting. In fact, his line of collectibles are selling like hotcakes at Walmart. In 2018, You Tube made him over $22 million! I skipped a lot of people on the list, but who is your favorite You Tube star?
So people my age remember those Pepsi vs Coke challenge commercials. Furthermore, what’s this I hear about Burger King offering one cent whoppers to one up rival McDonald’s? I bring this up because there’s nothing new in throwing shade at your rival. But now, IT service is doing it. Microsoft vs Apple: Battle for the commercial.
So let’s look at Microsoft’s Surface Go commercial. It’s set to the tune of Christmas classic, “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”.? A 10-year-old girl sings about wanting a Surface Go, urging her grandmother not to buy an iPad. The iPad was good when she was 6, but now she needs a ‘real computer’. The girl wants a real computer to do coding and save the manatees, and only Surface Go can help her. Dang, iPad!
However, the iPad Pro threw a little shade of it’s own. Their commercial also features a kid, somewhere between 10-13 years old. He’s doing everything on this iPad all day long: studying, talking with friends, buying food, and researching. An adult neighbor sees him on his iPad in the backyard. Then she asks, “What are you doing on your computer?”. The kid replies, “What’s a computer?”. This hints that the PC, which Microsoft helped start, is becoming so obsolete that today’s kids don’t even know what a computer is.
Between these two commercials, I think Microsoft Surface Go wins this one. I give it to them because trust me, as someone who works in computer repair, the PC ‘computer’ era isn’t dead. Obviously, more people are on mobile devices. But most people will tell you their desktop is equally as important. Will it be by 2025? That I don’t know. Also, Microsoft’s commercial had a little subtle social commentary. The girl talked about wanting to do coding. Keep in mind there’s a push to get girls and young women interested into coding and bridge the gap between men and women in IT. And Microsoft Surface can do that better than iPad, or so the commercial says. Who do you think wins Microsoft vs Apple: Battle for the commercial?
So we all know the Christmas carol ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’. Well, Amazon is getting in the spirit…well, whatever that means to them. The #1 IT service and #1 retail site in the world has Amazon’s twelve days of Christmas.
So today is Amazon’s twelve days of Christmas. But I must tell you…it started yesterday. However, it will go on until December 13. Each day will feature gift themes and items. Each day, they will give deep discounts on certain items for the daily category. For example, yesterday was home improvement day. So if you needed a deep discount on home improvement items, then that day is gone.
So today is gaming day. That’s going to excite a lot of us in the computer repair industry. Today, there will be deep discounts on all things gaming. Another exciting day for us computer servicing folks will be Thursday the 6th. That’s PC day. That’s when you can get all things PC: desktops, monitors, Windows gear, and everything else. So to all our Computer Geeks customers, mark Thursday, December 6 to get your supplies. And obviously, give us a call to help you set it up. Other themed days include toys (that’s tomorrow, parents), electronics, sports, kitchen, and fashion.
This is a way to keep the magic of Black Friday alive. This is also a way to keep the competition at bay. If Amazon sets a certain day for certain items, then people are more likely to target that day for this group of items. But did you miss home improvement day? You’re still in luck. Because you can go to your local home improvement store and still get that tool set for that loved one. Okay, that’s a little nudge about supporting local businesses. But yes, I can see how these 12 days of Christmas can be successful. Will you be celebrating Amazon’s twelve days of Christmas?
