Nov 2, 2017 | Computer technology
Ah, traveling in the IT service era. It sure ain’t what it used to be. Because now, people are plugging in and tuning out more than ever before. Then there are the security rules and baggage fees. Ever feel your luggage is? in the 1980s? Then G-Ro might be for you. G-Ro introduces smart luggage: A good buy?
So why should I call it smart luggage? Because it does cater to at least some of our tech needs. For instance, all G-Ro luggage includes a built-in rechargeable battery. That way, we can charge our smart devices anytime. The traveler needs that right now, whether we want it or not.
This luggage also has ‘The Office’. The Office has a laptop case. In addition to a laptop case, it has a document filing system and has a little room to spare. Most, if not all of them, have extra pockets to separate your devices from the rest of your luggage. This prevents screen cracking (but if you do mess up your screen, we specialize in laptops fixed). You can also inflate and deflate this bag by as much as 10 inches. These G-Ro bags vary in price. Kickstarter offers a promotion for as low as $129.
Then there is the Backpack XV, perhaps G-Ro’s best creation. This one includes a 13 backpack specifically for a laptop. But that one will cost you $269. Other than these things, it’s just your typical luggage. I don’t own a G-Ro luggage set. And for this amount of money, I probably won’t get one. Look at the price. For a fraction of $269, I can get good luggage that can hold devices, or get accessories, or something. I can probably pull this off for less than $129. G-Ro has a great concept, and a needy concept. However, they need to do one of two things. They need to offer more or lower their prices. So I ask you about the G-Ro smart luggage: Is it a good buy?
Nov 1, 2017 | Computer technology
We all know computer repair is here to stay. We also know we need to pass this skill onto the next generation. This is where startup tech company Kano comes in. Kano creates kid friendly coding.
So one way Kano teaches coding is by self-building hardware kits. Furthermore, just in time for the Christmas shopping season, Kano got over $28 million in funding. Kano plans to use this for retail and promotion. They also want to build future products that teach tech skills, even robots. Since September 2014, Kano’s coding machines produced 227,000 apps. These apps come from 86 countries, including the USA. But what’s most admirable, kids as young as 6 years old are developing apps through Kano’s coding. That’s a powerful start.
So now that their foundation is secure, they’re pushing hardware like self building laptops. They start as low as $249. Before long, there will be in most major retailers, and online stores. However, their emphasis is still hardware. Kano does this because it wants to help build future businesses around software. Then, they learned from other companies that focus so much on hardware. Plus, they want to be one of the top companies in self-building computer systems. Kano’s fund raisers include Thames Trust and Brayer Capitol, and Mark Benioff, and Barclays.
All of these things lead to Kano creates kid friendly coding. We need it. Computer servicing is growing, and it’s not going anywhere. I read too many reports about tech jobs not having enough trained workers to fill jobs. This is a huge problem. And the only way to fix this problem is to help our kids be tech savvy at an early age. Teaching them to code, and other aspects of software, is a great start. The price of $249 is a great start. Just think, the Apple iPhone X cost four times as much. So would you rather invest in your kids’ education, or have the next biggest thing?
Oct 24, 2017 | Computer technology
When people think of tech and IT service leading nations, which nations come to mind? So I’m guessing the United States, China, Germany, India, or Israel. But what about United Arab Eremites, and the city of Dubai? Dubai start-up invests in AI (artificial intelligence) to save lives.
The company is called Derq.? They also got $1.5 million in funding from tech investors Techstarts Mobility in Detroit. Part of Derq’s goal is to reduce accidents. They even want to help cars talk to each other. Furthermore, they invest in vehicle to vehicle communication. It sounds like an old TV show, but it’s very real. They hope this predicts car crashes before they happen, then notify nearby drivers to avoid the potential accident.
This Dubai start-up is years in the making. It started in 2011 at MIT, just miles from our Boston computer service shop. In fact, Derq CEO Georges Aoude graduate from MIT with a Ph.D in aerospace engineering.? Derq and Dubai leaders signed a deal to test and demonstrate connected vehicle technology. They want to show off and lead the path to safety. They believe Dubai is at the forefront of technology as well as car improvements. That could be right.
But I love the fact Derq, this Dubai start-up, is starting an office in downtown Detroit. It’s because they want to build relationships and pedal this AI technology to car makers. Keep in mind Detroit had been in the economic ditch for many years. The city that used to lead the nation in jobs and economic prosperity now leads the nation in crime, poverty, and people leaving their city. I hope Derq can employ Americans and help get Detroit back on it’s feet again. To me, that would be a feat even better than AI tech or improving car communication. What do you think of this Dubai start-up?
Oct 22, 2017 | Computer technology, News
It’s been around a month since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. So according to the latest reports, forty-nine are confirmed dead. Some speculate the death toll could be as high as 450.? Also, there are dozens are missing, and much of the island is still in the dark. But the US Virgin Islands hardly fared any better. However, AT&T claims to help, and in many ways, are helping. It’s AT&T and Maria.
Phone giant AT&T partnered with Google to bring at least some kind of Internet service. This includes text messaging, emails, and basic Internet service and computer servicing.? At first, the main goal was to establish communication between Puerto Rico locals and their relatives on the mainland. They also use Google Alphabet X’s Project Loon.
These IT support balloons can bring coverage up to 1,930 square miles. That’s over half of Puerto Rico. Soon, they hope to cover most of the island. They use LTD band 8. This works only for those using the most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy’s, Moto G’s, and a handful of others. This should provide connectivity during daylight hours only. Apparently, Project Loon worked before. Because last years, they used it for Peru when floods hit that nation. As of this date, AT&T claims they helped 60% of Puerto Rico get power. They also claim they helped 90% of US Virgin Islands get power again.
But some statistics would disagree with that. According to this Weather Channel report, three million are still without power. That’s about 75% of their population. So that means only 25% of locals have power back.? Furthermore, these balloons will only help those who have the newer smartphones. But what about those who have phones more basic? I’m no expert, but I would guess that would be the majority of the island’s population. I could be wrong. Look, I applaud AT&T for trying to do something. However, are these balloons the right thing for the right time?
Oct 20, 2017 | Computer technology
You need the Internet to do almost anything these days. This even includes things we take for granted today. But what if it goes down suddenly? Then there is the good hack: This gets you on the Internet.
So let’s look at computer servicing programmer legend. His name is Melvis K. Melhus. One of his clients had no Internet. But most of his work involved cutting and pasting. We all know what that simple online task is. So Melhus tried an experiment. He turned his microphone/speaker system into a modem. Then, before he continued, he told them this hack may not work. But he tried anyway.
So Melhus used his speaker system in HTML 5, then converted texts to modem tones. The speed was far slower than the client was used to. However, it took some of Python and took it to Visual Editor. Melhus wrote about this experience. He wrote how Google and Stack Overflow are vital to his success. So as you can imagine, no Internet hinders that success. It’s only then how he realizes how much cutting/pasting takes place. Also, a laptop and a jack socket can apparently cure a lot of tech ills. Who knew?
What am I getting at? Well, the IT support world is full of wonder. Today, at our computer service shop, we’re using a phone charger for data transfer. I’m proud to be part of an industry where virtually anything is possible, as long as you choose to be positive about it. But the other thing: there is a such thing as the good hack. Not all hacks have to be destructive and cause pain. In this case, it did the opposite. It probably saved a lot of people from a lot of destruction and pain. This is what computer repair should be all about. How can we save you from destruction and pain?
Oct 18, 2017 | Computer technology
So what do Apple and GE (General Electric) have in common? Well, they’re both on the forefront of IT support. They have been for decades. Apple and GE forms alliance for tech development.
But what will this look like? They’re making tools to develop apps using iOS. But that’s just the beginning. They will also push GE Predix. This is GE’s cloud and software platform. This platform exists because this is how they study data from computers and other industry machines. Already, GE updates Apple devices for 330,000 GE employees. Not only that, they offer the Apple Mac as a preferable computer choice.
But here is what is awesome about this Apple and GE alliance. The software they’re working on can predict failures. So this can stop lots of money loss before it starts. Furthermore, they can build apps on top of Predix software. Therefore, they can now use all Apple systems a lot easier. Yes, this even means iPhone X (though I don’t want to encourage them). How would this be practical? For starters, they can check their equipment on an iPad, and share the data. Then, they can make better choices on what to do about it…together. This will even come down to computer servicing.
I’m going to get the elephant out of the room. Naturally, this Apple and GE partnership will make GE employees more dependent on Apple, and vice versa. Or at the very least, the products will look way more attractive. I’m wondering if Apple execs said, “We better make this deal because if we don’t, Google or another competitor will”.? But look at the history of both these conglomerates. Yes, they started a century apart, but both made revolutionary contributions of their day. General Electric did so between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Apple has been doing so since the late 1970s. So should it be a shock they’re making allies now? What will become of it? Should competitors be scared?
