Oct 29, 2018 | Computer technology
So, IBM is on hard times. In my lifetime, I didn’t think I would say that. But I guess the 21st century IT support big boys, like Apple, Google and Amazon, are becoming too much. However, they just bought software firm Red Hat. Will the Red Hat save IBM?
So IBM bought out this cloud computing company of over $34 billion. This is the kind of tech they’re banking on now. However, for years now, they banked on Watson. Watson is, or should I say was, their new artificial intelligence system. But that’s not happening now. In fact, Watson is now more of an asset than liability.
Now, IBM expects to return to the software and business services that made them IBM in the first place. Investors got tired of watching Watson hemorrhage money and profits. But that’s only the beginning. Because Watson gave? bad health advice to doctors fighting serious diseases, like cancer. This is according to medical journal Stat. However, IBM looked at cloud computing for years. With Red Hat, they might finally have the edge. The IBM executives hope so. In fact, one said it will make number one in cloud computing. Imagine what this will do for Red Hat, too. I’m already reading reports of their stocks going through the roof.
As for Watson, we’ll always have the memories. Remember when Watson beat the two greatest Jeopardy players of all-time? Well, that was back in 2011. Think about how much things can change in seven years, especially in the IT service world. Also, think about Watson giving doctors bad medical information. The doctors pass that on to their patients. What kind of ramifications could that spread? Then think of how other companies took over the AI market ever since. We can say the same thing for cloud computing. However, they have the Red Hat now.? But will the Red Hat save IBM?
Oct 26, 2018 | Smartphone
So today, Apple releases it’s new iPhone XR to Apple stores and retailers around the world. It’s on the low end of Apple’s new phones coming out this year. In fact, you can get one for under $800. But Bloomberg Magazine just released a bombshell by rival Samsung, on this very day. Did Samsung ruin Apple’s big day?
First of all, Samsung, through Bloomberg Magazine, gave many a detail about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10. But that’s just the beginning. They teased about the revolutionary folding smartphone. The call the secret device Winner. Furthermore, Samsung worked on this project for years. The work still continues this day because they don’t know whether to make this horizontal or vertical. From pictures I saw, the landscape nature portrait looked great. However, many on the designer team don’t like it. Here is what we know. You can fold the device. Furthermore, when you do, the screen will be four inches. The display will open like a snap. But there are still concerns. Just make sure your screen doesn’t crack. Because when it does, it will crack like paper.
Keep in mind Samsung tested this ‘Winner’ over 200,000 times, by closing it that many times. They don’t expect the phone to be released until the Spring of 2019. That’s all I know for now, because, like I said, much of this project is under wraps. But back to this question: Did Samsung ruin Apple’s big day? They did announce their upcoming products on their XR release day. I doubt that was coincidence. That was by design.? It’s a typical one in the IT service/smartphone wars. I also read stories of how XR sales are going right now. They’re not good. You don’t see long lines at Apple stores for this XR. That may mean little to us computer repair folks, but to Apple, that’s pretty concerning. Did Samsung ruin Apple’s big day, or is that happening without Samsung’s announcement?
Oct 25, 2018 | Security
So two major concerns are security and online privacy. This is true in the computer repair industry. Furthermore, you know this is true in the government. But yet, they can spy on the President. Do we have any hope?
So according to some tech insiders, President Trump has 3 iPhones. Well, let’s give him credit for even doing that. Because before 2016, he had a Samsung, which had Android IT support service. Over the years, we all know Android is more venerable to hackers and attacks than Apple. But if you have an iPhone, know that you’re at risk too. I digress. But even in the White House, which should be the most secure place in America, Signaling System No. 7 (SS7).
This system makes it easy for hackers to spy on phone calls and text messages. In fact, experts say SS7 is so messed up that hackers even use the verify codes, break into them, and drain bank accounts and get other info. Guess what system the White house uses right now? You guessed it, the SS7. Do you see what a huge problem this could be? However, even this is a step up from what President Obama got during his second term. The phone they gave him didn’t even have a camera, and the Presidential Records Act didn’t even let him text.
So these three iPhones is a step up. But they need to do more. Keep in mind Russia and China can easily intercept the system and get all kinds of information from SS7. This include enough info to crash the economy, shut down electricity/tech infrastructure, even start wars. They could even learn nuclear capabilities. I know that sounds scary, but that’s what a mediocre security system can lead to, especially in the White House. They can spy on the President. Do we have any hope?
Oct 24, 2018 | General
So in Brussels, Belgium, IT service and IT support’s best and brightest gathered. Apple CEO Tim Cook was the main event speaker. But he wasn’t promoting the latest iPhone this time. Instead, he sounded an alarm about tech’s future. It was Tim Cook vs data industrial complex.
So I should say, there is no official ‘data industrial complex’ in Brussels, Europe, or anywhere else. However, Cook warned against how data and our own info can be used against us. Also, he said ‘they’ are turning our own data and information against us with ‘military efficiency’. Cook didn’t name names, but he didn’t mince words either.
One area that really worries cook is AI, or artificial intelligence. Cook worries that if this trend keeps up, tech companies will know us better than we know ourselves. Cook admitted that AI’s purpose is, and still can be, good. But that’s not what is happening. This AI is collecting huge personal profiles at a rapid pace. And it’s getting more out of control daily. The threat of privacy particularly concerns Cook. He told the Brussels crowd that if AI is going to be any good, then it has to respect human privacy and human rights. He called on all nations around the world to do this.
Cook also stated he supports federal privacy laws in the United States. Then he called on other nations to push for tech privacy laws. This is Tim Cook vs data industrial complex. He’s not the only one. Late in his life, Stephen Hawkins warned against AI. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk goes as far as to build colonies on Mars and the moon because he feels AI is that much of a threat. Now Tim Cook offers his concern about this not just trend, but new way of life. If our tech billionaires and leaders are this concerned, then shouldn’t we be as well?
Oct 23, 2018 | Computer technology
So times are a changing. When I was a kid, if you bought a Nintendo Game Boy to school, they took it away from you. Then there was the time my mom grounded me because she thought my Nintendo playing affected my grades. But now, Nintendo comes to elementary schools.
So I think I should explain. These aren’t Game Boys or consoles, or Wii’s, but they’re Labo Kits. They make these IT support education sets out of cardboard. Here, you can make all kind of things. However, that’s the idea: to get kid’s creative and tech mind’s flowing. And these ideas are flowing right into the classroom.
But not all classrooms. In fact, only certain elementary schools in New York City will get these Labo Kits. Nintendo will ship these kits to around 2,000 kids between grades 3-5. We can thank the Institute of Play for this. That’s a NYC non-profit organization the encourages education through play. So it makes sense for them to start this experiment in the New York City area. And keep in mind right now, that’s all this is. Teachers will also play along. To do so, they’ll get a Nintendo Labo Teacher Guide. This will also have sample lessons for the kids. This is all part of what they call the STEAM courses.
So NYC will be the base. But Nintendo’s plan is to extend this system to 100 schools in the US. They plan to do this by March 2019. Nintendo will give the kits and switches to these schools. This website will explain more about Labo Kits more than I can. But let’s face it, IT service is the future. And this upcoming generation needs be equipped for what’s ahead. These kits help do that. That’s how Nintendo comes to elementary schools. Did you ever think you would see a day when Nintendo comes to elementary schools?
