Jul 17, 2016 | Computer technology, Entertainment
The Nintendo comeback is in full swing. First came the Pokemon Go explosion. Now, Nintendo takes us back to our childhoods (those who grew up between 1985-1990).
Later this year, NES will bring Nintendo classics back. This game will fit in the palm of your hand. But it won’t be game boy. This is the exact Nintendo we played in the 1980s, only smaller. You connect the console with an HDMI cable to your TV or desktop computer screen. It includes the old school controller. It’s just like the one we remember. This controller can connect to a Wii Remote. That means this controller works with Wii or Wii U. The console has suspended points, so you won’t be playing ‘What’s my password again?’. The new NES classic is expected to be releases November 11. That’s right; just in time for the holiday shipping season. The NES will cost around $60. Thirty games come built in this system. These games include Super Mario Brothers 1, 2, and 3. They include Zelda 1 and 2. They include really old school arcade games like Pac Man, Galaga and Donkey Kong. They include Punch Out, Metroid, Techmobowl, Final Fantasy, Ghosts and Goblins, Balloon Fight.
I think of the ones this NES console don’t have. They have Double Dragon 2, but not the original Double Dragon. That one left me scratching my head. They don’t have Duck Hunt because this console doesn’t come with a gun. But they could have built the shots in the remote. Other games I will miss include RC Pro-Am, Spy Hunter, Pro Wrestling, and Kung Fu. How can they not have Kung Fu?! Despite that, I see good thing for this system. For anyone born before 1984, playing this game will allow us to relive memories, before gaming got all complicated. For the younger generation, it will be a great lesson on how things were back in the day. You can’t beat the price! You get a console and 30 games for $60. Who does that today? Who did that back in the ’80s? What games would you like to see on the upcoming NES?
Jun 22, 2016 | Computer technology
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) already has rules for flying drones. Yesterday, they added some more. Let me introduce simple rules for flying drones.
This rules limit drone flying to daylight hours only. Drone operators will be required to get certified every other year. There are just two of the new rules. The FAA’s new rule book is 624 pages. That tells us there’s a lot more where that came from. Drones weighing under 55 pounds must stay below 400 feet at all times. Drones must stay within the owner or observer’s site at all times. Drone pilots must be at least 16 years old. Before flying a drone, potential owners must pass an aeronautical test. This isn’t just a one time test. They must retake and pass the test every 24 months. They must pass a TSA background check. Drones are a huge trend today. During the 2015 Christmas season, nearly 1 million were sold in the United States. They’re drone clubs and groups. The Academy of Model Aeronautics include 188,000 drone enthusiasts. ?Businesses and corporations embrace drone technology. Amazon, Google and Walmart dream to deliver packages by drones. By June 8, 2016, more than 464,000 drone operators were registered by the FAA. Some of these operators have multiple drones.
This is what worries pilots and officials. More individuals own drones. Businesses test drones for delivers. By 2020, drone deliveries will create 70,000 jobs and over 13 billion dollars in US profit. Government agencies and airline unions have been screaming for stricter rules for drones. They worry about interference with aircraft. There are instances of crashes and collisions with aircraft. But drone enthusiasts insist those instances are few and far between. I hope it stays that way. No…change that. I hope we don’t have any collisions at all. I like drones. Personally, they’re fun to fly around. I hope they create jobs and revenue for the country. We need the jobs and revenue. But we don’t need tragedies because of drone collisions, or drone and airplane collisions. What do you think of these new rules? Are they too strict? Are they too lenient? Or are they just right?
Jun 20, 2016 | Computer technology, internet
Early this morning, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey made an astounding announcement concerning his company. Twitter acquired Magic Pony Technology. What is Magic Pony Technology? Why does this matter?
Magic Pony Technology is a London based company. They specialize in machine tool learning and video improvement. This acquisition isn’t a cheap one. Some speculate they bought Magic Pony for $150 million. Magic Pony said they will help Twitter improve visual experiences. Jack Dorsey says Magic Pony will enhance Twitter’s live video experience. Twitter needs to. Consumers complain about Twitter’s live video availability. They’ve even been the subject of some jokes. They’re also competing with You Tube, Facebook and Snapchat for video streaming. It seems Twitter needs Magic Pony more than Magic Pony needs Twitter. This year, they demonstrated machine learning research. They demonstrated upgrades of low resolution videos by using regular graphics cards. The Magic Pony community doesn’t consists of couch potatoes in their mother’s basement. All eleven have PhD’s in computer science,?computer neuroscience, and computer vision. Magic Pony co-founder Rob Bishop uses GPUs (graphics processing unit) and deep learning to improve graphics quality. Bishop is confident his company can improve picture quality on low resolution cameras. They want Twitter videos to be less blurry.
That’s how Magic Pony got that name. A magic pony is something nobody believes until they see it. Twitter better hope it happens. Magic Pony better make it happen. More people are switching from writing post to streaming them. The deep leaning process shows me Magic Pony puts considerable effort in their work. I believe Twitter did a lot of research and combing before acquiring a video improvement partner. At least I hope so. I normally don’t like mergers. But in this case, this isn’t a merger. This is a partnership. Will Magic Pony help Twitter’s video streaming woes? Can they?
Jun 13, 2016 | Computer technology
Linkedin is a premier social business network. Since the early 2000s, they’ve led the way for business networking, bringing personal and professional together. Countless jobs have been found. Countless careers have been made because of Linkedin. Now, Microsoft acquires Linkedin.
Microsoft announces it’s acquisition of Linkedin. Microsoft will pay Linkedin $26.2 billion, all in cash. Microsoft insists Linkedin will remain independent and will run as usual. Their CEO, Jeff Weiner, will report directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Nadella is confident the merger will help Linkedin, Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics grow to unbelievable potential. The acquisition should be finalized by the end of 2016. I hope Nadella’s confidence brings results. This is the first major Microsoft acquisition since he became Microsoft CEO in February 2014. Since then, Microsoft wants to be ‘the world’s biggest cloud’ and ‘world’s biggest professional network’. Linkedin stockholders are loving the news. Stocks are up a whopping 47% percent today. Do you realize how rare it is for stocks to increase that much in one day? Over 433 million people use Linkedin worldwide. This merger will impact at least that many people. The deal was approved by a landslide by both sides of the table.
On the surface, this acquisition makes since. Microsoft is a premier company of all computer technology. Linkedin leads the business world in connections. Microsoft dreams of connecting people. So why not buy out Linkedin to do just that? If you’re Linkedin, congratulations! You’re teaming up with one of the best computer tech corporation in the world. This is great for both institutions. But how will this work for the consumer? Satya Nadella insists Microsoft won’t interfere with Linkedin operations. I hope he keeps that promise. It would be a shame to spoil Linkedin’s legacy because Microsoft wants to impose it’s will. I don’t see Nadella going that far. Anyone who follows me knows I’m not a fan of mergers. But this could work. Will it?
Jun 8, 2016 | Computer technology
I’ve talked about robots running hotels. I’ve talked about robots nursing patients back to health. Now, we’re introducing HERB the robot. He’ll be tending your butler services.
HERB, or Home Exploring Robot Butler, was built at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. This robot is geared to help the elderly and disabled with independent living. HERB will do small task for the resident. This robot can put away books, wash dishes, set a table, clear a table, get food out of the refrigerator, and other daily tasks. Those working on HERB are excited about the human like tendencies.??As we move robots into the home, the robot must be able to operate in much less structured human environments,? said Jennifer King, one of HERB’s creators. As good as HERB is, they want him to do better (I can’t believe I’m calling a robot a him). For example, they want HERB to get food out of the fridge without breaking other items in the fridge. HERB’s software help him navigate such tasks. That’s why HERB isn’t ready to make his public debut. They want to help him be a better servant to other people. In other words, they want him to be more human.
On one hand, it’s a good sale. On the other hand, that’s the scary part. According to this new article, robots could replace half of all jobs by the 2030s. Surely you know about the $15 minimum wage debate. Fast food chain Wendy’s responded. They responded by replacing minimum wage earners with robots and kiosks. Plus, robots will make less errors than humans will. This is the trend I fear. They want to help the disabled and elderly. That’s a noble cause! Wouldn’t it be more noble to give a human being that job and pay him/her a decent wage? And what about those who work in the health care industry? Wouldn’t it be more noble to let human workers work?
May 27, 2016 | Computer technology, Software
Have you ever owned a 360-degree camera before? Have you ever made your own? ?If you have, then you know the high maintenance software and equipment it requires. There might be an easier way.
The good people at Giroptic introduce their 360cam. It includes everything you need to take 36o-degree photos and videos, and you don’t have to add anymore software. It can fit into the palm of your hand. It has three lenses, one on each side, but none underneath. A 360-degree camera may seem complicated and intimidating, but this one doesn’t seem to be. It has one power button. The other button controls the camera’s modes, like video, photo, burst and time-lapse. It shows you the camera’s battery life and camera mode. It has lock in technology for your security and protection. It coincides with the Giroptic 360cam app, which can be downloaded on Apple and Android smartphones. There, you can easily share your photos on Facebook, You Tube and other social media sites. It’s definitely waterproof. I saw a cool demonstration of a man taking videos literally in a wishing well. Not only didn’t it short circuit, it got great views of the city while it was underwater! The Giroptic 360cam will cost you at least $500.
So is the Giroptic camera a good buy? It depends on the individual. If you’re going to spend $500, or more, on this, then you’d better use it regularly and take care of it…regularly. Fortunately, this camera is easier to take care of than if you built one yourself, then had to pay for the sophisticated software. Plus, a 360-degree camera can take pictures and videos like nobody else. If you can get a photo of an entire city spinning around without, and do so underwater, then do so! Just be ready to invest time, money and energy. Is Giroptic 360 camera the right investment for you?
