Oct 12, 2018 | Computer technology
So what if you could jump into a photo? It kind of reminds me of the 1980s A-Ha’s “Take On Me” video. This new photo technology won’t let you do that, but it could be getting close. Facebook, AI, and 3D photos: Oh my!
So Facebook now rolls out 3D photos for you. This piece of IT service should add realism to your photos. In fact, it’s so real you can feel like you can almost jump in them. All one does is ‘3D Photos’ in status update, then select a portrait made photo. Then, users from their regular News Feed, or the VR/Oculus? features can tap it to see their in-depth photo. This photo option should be available a few weeks from now. Also, the combo of Facebook, AI , and 3D photos is available to all Facebook users.
Plus, this is just a part of Facebook’s new creations to stay fresh. For instance, a lot of people are using the Stories feature now. Instead of writing a post to express themselves, many a Facebook user tell ‘Stories’ through a series of photos. Then there is Facebook Live. Many a Facebook friends use videos to post their story instead of words. Some are good, some are really powerful. Other new feature include, GIF’s and 360 photos are doing well, too.
So how will the combination of Facebook, AI, and 3D photos do? Well, many people won’t know anytime soon. Because in order to get 3D photos, you must have either an iPhone 7, 8, X or XS. I know a lot of people have those devices. But a lot more don’t have them, and don’t plan on getting them. Many in PC repairs don’t plan on getting them.? Of course, if you do have these, then the rest of the service is free of charge. But doesn’t other features Facebook have already enhance your experience? Would you use Facebook 3D Photos?
Oct 11, 2018 | Smartphone
So many of us know Pocket as the ‘article app. In fact, some of us in computer repair call it ‘the media app’. That’s because it gives and manages your Internet news articles. It’s now growing up because Pocket’s app reads for you.
So you find an article. But you don’t have time to read it right now and save it in Pocket to read later. But now, Pocket’s app reads for you. However, you have to get Pocket’s latest app, the Pocket 7.0. With this, you can listen to your favorite articles, news, and other audio things without even looking at your smartphone. How does this work?
All you have to do is tap ‘Listen’. Then, listen to spoken versions of your articles. Are you tired of voice technology sounding like robots? Then Pocket 7.0 will accommodate you. Because it add what they call ‘a more human voice’. This way, it actually feels like a human being, not a computer, is reading you your articles. The Pocket 7.0 also includes less clutter on your view. It also has new fonts and texts and lights, so you can read in the dark. The Pocket 7.0 is available on Android and Apple devices. You can also get it on your desktop.
I think this would be a good app for Pocket users. But I do have a few quite a few questions. What will this human voice sound like? Or will there be different versions of voices for people to choose from? With the way IT support is going, they can do that now. Imagine driving in your car listening to your favorite articles in 7.0 instead of looking at them. You learn a lot faster, and of course, it’s never safe to drive and look at your device. Unfortunately, some people still have to learn that the hard way. Will you be getting the Pocket 7.0 app?
Oct 9, 2018 | Smartphone
So the Apple vs Android/Google rivalry is probably the most famous business rivalry since Pepsi vs Coke. However, from our computer repair experience, some people take that a little too seriously. But one You Tube channel shows that. In fact, this You Tube channel exploits smartphone rivalry.
The You Tuber’s name is Jonathan Morrison. First, he took selfies with what he said was a Google Pixel 2. Then, he revealed the lie. He really took the pictures with an Apple iPhone XS. Morrison is a popular You Tube tech/IT service reviewer with over 2.5 million subscribers. But he used his platform to teach a lesson: Don’t give into the smartphone loyalty hype.
Some people call what he did trolling his own audience. But Morrison made a statement that explains his actions. “Don’t let a preconceived notion or headline skew your judgment…” he said. He said this because when he said his Google took the pictures, Google/Droid fans rejoiced. Then you had Apple apps booing and hissing. This is the point he’s trying to prove. This isn’t the first time he’s been through this. It probably won’t be his last either. Because for eight years, Morrison played peacemaker of sorts between Android fans and Apple fans. Oh, there are also the Samsung fans, the Boost Mobile fans, etc, but we’re focusing on Apple and Android/Google.
I’ll give you my personal experience. My first smartphone was an Apple. But years later, an incident happened. Then I needed a battery. The battery was so expensive that I switched to an Android phone. I’ve been an Android customer ever since. But that’s just me. I’m sure there are people who have powerful testimonies as Apple fans. I’m kind of glad this You Tube channel exploits smartphone rivalry. Because we take this rivalry even more seriously even than the Pepsi vs Coke rivalry ever did. Are you still on anybody’s side?
Oct 8, 2018 | Computer technology, News
So, how many of you know about the ‘spy chip’? It’s a chip that can read and compromise data on motherboards all over the world. But that’s just the beginning of it. It’s US government and corporations vs spy chip.
So last week, a scathing report came out of Bloomberg. This magazine claims China built these spy chips on motherboards. Also, SuperMicro owns and builds these motherboards, so they share some blame as well. However, the allegations don’t stop there. Because this article accuses Amazon and Apple of using this kind of equipment in their super data centers. Then, this would let China spy on these mega IT support and IT service?companies, and their many, many customers. Too many to count, in fact. Bloomberg say that they used over a dozen sources to confirm this.
But these companies aren’t letting their name get dragged around.? Because Apple, Amazon and SuperMicro released statements on their respective websites. They all deny it. In fact, even Homeland Security is getting in the mix. They’re siding with the three companies. They say they have no reason to doubt these three companies are telling the truth when they deny this spy chip. If anything, they doubt Bloomberg’s articles.
Lets look at this US government and corporations vs spy chip thing. Do you realize how rare it is for Homeland Security to issue a statement like this? Yes, they fight cyber terrorism and other threats. But rarely do they side with corporations over journalists. However, neither side is going to back down. This really is a case of they said vs they said. Then add on the China factor. First, you have this tariff fight. Then, you have Vice-President Pence calling out China’s intense censorship laws, and Pence asking Google to stop enabling this kind of censorship. Do you think there is more to this story?
Oct 5, 2018 | Computer technology, News
So most people know about the trade tariff war between President Trump and China. But now, Vice-President Mike Pence gets involved. Pence asks Google and China to break up.
He said this to the Hudson Institute yesterday. Yes, the trade conflict is a factor. However, Pence talked about China’s oppressive censorship issues, especially online. Google plans on making a mobile Google just for China. Also, they’re even working with China on this. That doesn’t sit well with Pence. Because Pence openly criticized China about? their Internet restrictions. But he didn’t stop there.
In his speech, he named names. He praised other companies for skipping over the Chinese market and, “abetting Beijing’s oppression”. Then he called on other major corporations to do the same. That’s when he literally called out Google. Specifically, Pence asks Google to end anymore development of the Dragonfly app. Because the Vice-President worries will strengthen China’s Communist Party’s already strict censorship. His concerns also include privacy rights of Chinese citizens. If you don’t know what Dragonfly does, it’s their version of the search engine that bans Twitter and Facebook. But why would any engine want to ban Twitter and Facebook? They’re two of the most popular websites in the globe.
That’s because Twitter and Facebook are banned in China. But of course, many in that nation find a way to get it anyway. To that, I say good for them. China also blocks historic tragedies like the?Tiananmen Square massacre (I wonder why). I must say. On the surface, these motives look good. IT support and IT services like social media should be open and free by all governments. I wouldn’t want any company to help anybody nation who is pushing censorship. So I like the message. But what worries me here is motive. Does Pence really care about censorship in China? Or is this a way to fight the trade war on China?
