Apr 26, 2018 | Computer technology
So, how many of you remember the big Google Glass craze? Everybody wanted those things, didn’t they? Okay, forgive my sarcasm, but a social media company is trying smart eye wear again. Introducing Snapchat Spectacles V2: Will it sale?
So these smart glasses go on sale today in the US and three other nations. Then, on May 3, they go on sale in 13 more. Furthermore, their price is $150, and you can get them only?at Snapchat’s website. Recently, they tried their luck with smart glasses with V1 spectacles. They only sold 220,000 of them. But Snapchat insists they learned their lessons and are ready to launch Snapchat Spectacles V2. So what’s different about these new ones?
The case and glasses are 1/3 smaller. Also, these glasses have such strong battery life they can hold and process 70 videos a week, on average. They come in sleek colors, like ruby red and sapphire bad. It comes with good hardware, like an extra microphone. They’re even turning to professional video makers for their input. Some of the videos look really nice. For example, I saw a video of a guy swimming the breaststroke with his Snapchat Spectacles V2. That’s a clue that these glasses are waterproof as well.
Will it sale? They look better than Google Glass did, I tell you that. Anybody in IT service will tell you that. If I remember right, Google Glass costed you thousands. These only cost $150. This assures more people can get them. They look better, too. But there is an elephant in the room. It’s privacy. I have these debates often, whether it’s in our Boston computer service shop or corner…ahem…coffee shop. I’m glad Snapchat is stepping up their game here, but I haven’t heard any of them talk about privacy issues. Until they talk about it, then I can’t purchase Snapchat Spectacles V2. Will it sale?
Apr 25, 2018 | email
Do you use Google Mail? If you do, then get ready for some major changes. The new G-Mail: Self-destructing messages and more.
So not only does the new G-Mail have new services, they have new designs. Now, you can take actions like archive, trash, and mark fresh from the inbox. There’s also the new snooze action. With Snooze, you can come back to a certain e-mail whenever you feel like it. But keep in mind snooze is only in the inbox. Say you’re don’t know if a certain email is worth reading or not. Then, you can Snooze it, think about it, and come back to a later before immediately throwing it away.
Then there is the ‘nudging’ feature. Google’s AI technology will determine if your email is important. Google is also using AI to bring smart replies. You can send an email in ‘confidentiality mode’. You choose how long the recipient has to read and respond to the email. Furthermore, you make sure nobody can forward, print, download, copy, or paste the email. Is that not secure enough for you? You can even have send the recipient an SMS message. That way, you send them a password. Then they have to type the password before they can even read the email.
But wait…there’s more. A sidebar feature has Google note taking, as well as a Google calendar. There is even more I can tell you, but we don’t have time too. Hey, our Boston computer service shop is busy with laptops fixed. Some things I like about the new G-Mail. I like the security G-Mail is trying to offer you. I also like the confidentiality it offers. However, I’m weary about them giving AI that much power. You think I’m crazy not being a fan of this AI technology or where it might lead to? Then listen to this recent TED talk, from an expert! That’s another story for another time. What do you think of the new G-Mail?
Apr 24, 2018 | Uncategorized
So in the early 2000s, hardly anybody heard of Netflix. They were some mail-in company you got videos from when you were too lazy to go to the video store. But now, it’s an IT service entertainment monster, worth around $100 billion. However, there still seems to be financial issues. Is Netflix in debt? This is hard to believe.
So according to their own statement, Netflix will raise $1.5 billion in ‘offering senior notes’. The statement is in such legalese and corporate jargon that I won’t even try to interpret it. But in their statement, they will use this new debt to increase their business. By that, I mean better production of shows, make better investments and making better strategies.
All these changes sound exciting to Netflix leaders, but their stock holders…not so much. As of this writing, Netflix stocks are down around 10 points. That’s about three percent. Like I said, their statement is legalistic. However, most think it will use this new debt to invest in new programs. They did this in previous years. Over the years, they raised billions to produce new shows of their own, depending less on other networks and studios. Are these new shows worth the new debt? That’s up to each person to decide for themselves.
Is Netflix in debt? Maybe the title is a little misleading. What they’re doing is creating debt to build better programming. This IT support entertainment firm came a long way from shipping DVD’s. Also, from the stats I’m reading, this is a move Netflix can afford. As of April 2018, Netflix has over 125 million worldwide. In fact, in Q1 2018 alone, they got over 7 million new subscribers. This trend has no signs of slowing down. So maybe this new debt is good debt, if there is a such thing. C’mon…admit it. How many times do you use the phrase, “Netflix and chill”?
Apr 23, 2018 | Computer technology
So now, Amazon is in a? lot of things. They’re taking over retail, groceries, and voice IT service. Then I read about Amazon robots. Will they run our home?
I say this because according to many in tech media, Amazon is working on a home robot. They’re calling it Vesta. However, don’t go running to Amazon for their home robots anytime soon. They hope Amazon robots will be ready by early 2019. I wish I could tell you what this home robots do. I can’t. As we suspect, Amazon is very hush about this project. Yes, there are some successes with home robots. There is Roomba the cleaning robot. There’s also Amazon’s own Alexa and Echo.
But this is just the beginning. I think Amazon wants to do even more. They’re not the only ones. There’s Misty Robots. They’re proud of their robotic progress, but aren’t naive. They’re giving themselves 10 years to make the perfect robot. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is a huge robot fan. In recent years, he’s bought out robot companies and turned them into Amazon Robotics. The focus is on just shipping and other ways to make Amazon better…now. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Amazon Robots literally come to your home next year.
Then there’s the Google/DARPA/Boston Dynamics. Boston Dynamics is close to our computer service shop (in geographic only). Look at what they’re working on. I’m about to give my age here. But I grew up watching shows like Buck Rogers and Small Wonder (yes, I’m an ’80s kid). I also grew up with songs like Styx’s Mr. Roboto. I never imagined this. I never imagined the robot and AI tech boom literally come to life like it is. Then again, I never thought robots would threaten our jobs and even our marriages either. But that’s another blog for another time. Amazon Robots: Will they run our home?
Apr 20, 2018 | General
So one of the biggest issues Silicon Valley has is wealth inequality. On one hand, you have tech billionaires eating good. But on the other hand, even people making $100,000 a year struggle to eat and pay rent. However, one company fights that. Survey Monkey starts a Silicon Valley movement.
So Survey Monkey is a $2 billion company that provides online surveys. Like many tech companies, they hire third-party contractors. Generally, tech companies give third-party contacts perks, like free food and tech toys. But among most of these workers, there is a feeling of second-class citizenship. Then you have issues like affordable housing. However, unlike most tech companies, Survey Monkey took a poll with their contract workers. They found out their perks aren’t enough. So they did something about it.
Starting in January 2018, Survey Monkey gave contractors more benefits, like health, and paid time off. They offered free public transit to and from work. Also, they offered paid sick time if a family member is ill. This generality is paying off. Though they don’t pay a 401k plan, they have advisers to help all their employees obtain one. This may not sound like much, but it’s making a world of difference. One contractor even said nobody invests in them anymore to this extent. Another was so grateful she had tears in her eyes as they gave her these benefits.
It comes at a time when the IT service world over there seems to be financially coming apart. Remember when I said making $100,000 a year barely pays the bills? Well, try making $19,000 a year in Silicon Valley. Or try being a white collar worker making $55,000 a year. Now $55,000 might go a long way in some parts of America, but not where the average one bedroom apartment costs over $2,800 a month. People and whole businesses are leaving that area because of this inequality. I hate to say it, but greater Boston isn’t much better. Yes, our area is becoming a tech hub. But near our computer service shop, rent cost have doubled in just the last 15 years. Will Survey Monday start a Silicon Valley movement?
