Dec 3, 2016 | Computer technology, Software
Remember when Windows 10 said this was the last Windows edition? You didn’t think Windows 10 would stop changing, do you? So they know the IT industry is changing. And Windows 10 needs to change with them. So pay attention: Introducing Microsoft Home Hub.
Microsoft Home Hub is software feature. It’s somewhat like Google Home and Amazon Echo. But here is where Microsoft got smart. Home Hub has a screen; the others don’t. Hence, it is for Windows 10 PC. Although, Home Hub could work on any Windows 10 machine. But the reason Microsoft Home Hub focuses on PC’s is to enhance the PC sharing experience. This includes new sharing features and user interfaces.
Also, they want to make PC sharing easier. They believe Home Hub will do that. For example, a user can unlock Home Hub without a password. On the surface, that can be dangerous. However, with this feature, households can share apps and other data, without jumping through hoops. Everyone will have their own account, but will have access to the ‘family account’. Then there’s the Welcome Screen. It contains sticker notes, a calendar, and Cortana. Apple has Siri. Google has Alexa. Amazon uses Echo. So Windows, and Home Hub, has Cortana.
So what does this has to do with IT? Quite a bit. Home Hub is the first of it’s kind, especially for the PC world. And how many offices and household still depend on their PC? I know I depend on mine. And how many offices and homes share a PC? Lots of them. In addition to that, there’s competition. Home Hub offers competition to Google Home and Amazon Echo. Yes, Home Hub is available on Windows Phone. I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’ve heard, and experienced, many problems with this brand of phones. Is Home Hub good for smartphones? Could Microsoft Home Hub be good for you?
Nov 30, 2016 | Computer technology
The drone is one of the fastest rising gadgets in the tech world today. Drone and video production maker GoPro looked forward to capitalizing off the drone craze. But that’s probably not going to happen. GoPro cuts staff and entertainment plans.
As a result, GoPro announced they will cut 15% of it’s entire workforce. That means over 200 people will lose their employment, just in time for the Christmas season. But that’s not all. GoPro President Tony Bates is also stepping down. And he left high-level positions at Microsoft’s Skype Technologies to lead GoPro. Many thought this was going to be a golden age. Now, that’s hardly the case.
In addition to the layoffs, GoPro closes it’s entertainment division. GoPro depended on new products, camera Hero5, and new drone Karma, to boost sales. They released the new items in October 2016. But these new gadgets did nothing to help. Furthermore, they had to recall 2,500 drones. We don’t even know if they’ll ever distribute Karma again. Also, there the lawsuits. These lawsuits claim GoPro made false ‘too good to be true’ statements about Karma. Stocks fell off. In late September, stocks peaked at $17.15 a share. On November 29, they closed at $9.83 a share. Basically, in two months, GoPro stocks were nearly cut in half.
Maybe these layoffs can be a fresh start. The last time I check the ticker, stocks were back into the $10.00-$10.30 range. That’s a start. Personally, I think they should abandon the Karma project and start all over. Competition isn’t waiting. You see, Apple, Amazon, Snap Inc., and Chinese company DJI Technology Inc. all want to get in on the drone game. I’m sure more companies do too. So even after these changes, they don’t have long to mourn. They need to get back into the drone game, and fast. I’m sure Tony Bates is kicking himself for going to GoPro. But that’s just the way it goes sometimes. What is your future outlook for GoPro?
Nov 28, 2016 | Computer technology
You see a drone over your home. But according to the FAA, that’s a legal no-no. So you grab a bazooka and shoot it down. Oh what fun to see the explosion and the pieces. However, that’s not how this works. Here’s introducing the anti-drone gun: a semi-beast.
This anti-drone gun comes from Drone Shield. They’re a tech firm from Australia. While it looks like the Drone Gun can wreck something up. But it’s surprisingly gentle. While there is a trigger, no explosions will follow. No drones pieces will fly to your front yard. But this gun intercepts communication between the drone and drone pilot. Then, Drone Gun brings the drone back to the ground.
Also, the Drone Gun has a ‘return to home’ function. With this function, authorities can find track illegal drone activity. Furthermore, they can find where the drone flew and find out who owns the law breaking drone. The Drone Gun looks intimidating. But it isn’t. It weighs 13 pounds. It can take down drones 1 1/4 miles away. First of all, make sure Drone Gun is legal in your town or community. If not, Drone Shield won’t sell you one. Consequently, Drone CEO Peter James said his biggest customers were government agencies and military leaders. Others were CEOs trying to protect their business.
The Drone Shield is just coming out. So we don’t know what price is. But you better watch where you fly that drone. I’m convinced this device will get very popular, especially as more drones take to the sky. Then, add to that all the drones flying illegally. Ladies and gentlemen, there are FAA regulations about drone safety. They are there for a reason. While I applaud Peter James for making this Drone Gun, it shouldn’t take a drone gun to control your drone. Your common sense and decency should do that. What do you think of the anti-drone gun?
Nov 25, 2016 | Computer technology
Black Friday is here. It’s the one day customers trample, fight, and almost kill each other over deep discounts. Every year seems to get more insane and violent. But I know that won’t stop some of you. So here are some tech Black Friday deals…if you insist.
First of all, let’s say you’re getting a smart device for Christmas. You’re going to need headphones. As a result, Power Beats 2 by Dr. Dre phones are over half off, from $200 to $90. While the Bose Sound Sport In Ear phones cut prices from $100 to $40. But maybe it’s a speaker you need. The Harmen Kardon Onyx Mini Wireless Speaker has you covered. They cut their prices from $200 to $100. But there’s a catch…these deals are only at Best Buy.
But you’d rather have tech trends under the tree. Well, Google Home is a fast seller. Consequently, Best Buy’s selling Google Home for $99 (the actual retail price is $129). This AI device helps you control your home and tell you the temperature, among other cool things. I have a feeling this one will be high in demand. Furthermore, at Target, the Apple Watch series one is selling for $198 only. Of course, you must report to a physical Target for that one. Stay safe out there. All Apple TV models are from $70-200. Do you have a fitness lover on your list? They can get the Garmin Vivo Smart tracker for half off. Finally, you can even get a home coffee maker for half off.
But these deals are only at Best Buy and Target. Let me be clear: This IS NOT a promotion or endorsement of Best Buy or Target. However, my research just points to these two chains as offering the best deals. But let’s face it, Black Friday isn’t what it used to be. More people are shopping online than ever before. Can you blame them? I’m sure one can get a great deal online without the chaos. And don’t forget Small Business Saturday. I’m sure you’ll find great tech deals at your local store, and you’ll be pumping money back to local, American businesses. I know some will insist of this Black Friday tradition. That’s the only reason I put these prices out there. But don’t take part if you don’t have to. What are some ways you’re avoiding the Black Friday madness?
Nov 22, 2016 | Computer technology, News
Yesterday, I did a blog about robots and robotic technology. While these were the less pleasing aspects of robot technology, it gets even worse. A robot attacked a human being…literally.
So this happened in China, at a tech fair. In fact, the fair was the 18th annual Chinese International Hi-Tech Fair. They held it in the city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong. There’s a robot they use as an educational tool. But this one had other plans than educating. Out of nowhere, the robot smashed a glass. Then, it attacked a man brutally and repeatedly. In fact, he had to leave on a stretcher. His next stop was the local hospital. But now they’re saying the injuries aren’t serious.
The fair’s managed services said something else. Furthermore, some Chinese websites say human error is to blame. One official said somebody confused the ‘front’ button with the ‘back’ button. Then the robot got confused. He went crazy and crashed into another display. The crash injured an innocent bystander. Actually, the glass the robot shattered did cut into the man. If anybody is wondering, the robot costs $1,890. So financially, this was a pretty devastating blow. But more to the point, don’t expect the ramifications of this to go away anytime soon.
Already, speculation is flying. Some on Chinese social media say this is the first shot in a human versus robot war. Many of us know of movies like I Robot, and other films predicting this. One person flat out tweeted, “The invasion of the robots have started.” I don’t know if I’ll go that far. But do you know what’s ironic? In a matter of two days, I’ve read two articles of how robots mess with humanity. The first talked about how they could take our jobs. The second is a robot taking people’s health. Or am I just getting paranoid?
Nov 21, 2016 | Computer technology
Meet Silicon Valley CEO Tien Tzuo. He runs Zuora, a software company. But he has quite an observation for technology’s future. It’s not good. According to this Silicon Valley CEO: We’re losing jobs to robotics!
While technology is a gift to us all, it can be a curse. Hence, it’s the curse that worries Tzuo. He says tech and employment are approaching a crisis. The World Economic Forum estimates five million jobs will shut down by 2020. Tzuo also worries about this. Some call it ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution‘. That’s because robots and artificial intelligence dominate it. Tsuo says this will destroy more human jobs at a faster pace. That’s the last thing we need right now.
It seems like Tzuo is right. According to Oxford University, 57% of all jobs are replaceable by robot or AI technology. Tzuo also worries that companies won’t be able to keep up with this disturbing trend. Furthermore, Tzuo believes if we don’t solve this problem, it will hold all of society back. But Tzuo isn’t the only one showing concern. There’s Lord Adair Turner. He’s a high ranking official at Merrill Lynch Europe. He believes this could threaten capitalism as we know it. But British Telecommunications (BT Group) CEO Gavin Patterson went even further. He said 80% of existing jobs today won’t exist in the future. Scary stuff.
This is why workers are scared. Remember the good ol’ days, when America lost jobs to other countries? But now, we’re losing jobs to things that aren’t even human. It’s already happening. In Japan, there’s a hotel completely run by robots. In San Francisco, there’s a hospital in which robots make your bed and cook your meal. There’s a Washington, DC restaurant, where the waiters are gone and computers do everything. In addition to all that, there’s the minimum wage controversy. Instead of waging workers salary, one fast food chain is laying off all human workers and replacing them with robots. This is real. It’s getting more real. Why isn’t the tech community talking about it more often?
