So as you know, I talk about robotics and AI technology a lot on this blog. You also know I’m very cynical of this kind of computer technology.?This Ted Talk explains why. But I saw some footage that might change my mind. Let’s talk about robotics’ good side: Can they heal?
So robotics company Ekso Bionics provides us with this potential breakthrough. They build exoskeleton robots and other devices. The CEO is Max Scheder-Bieschin. First, I love the faith in his product, saying what smartphones were like 10 years ago. Now look at them today. Then he says 10 years from now, exoskeleton technology will be just as big. Furthermore, Ekso Bionics always had our armed forces in mind.
At first, Esko was about helping soldiers carry weight. Then a Navy Seal became injured. In fact, his injury paralyzed both arms and legs. This changed Bieschin’s goal to helping this man and other injured veterans get their movements back. Then there is Darrell Musick. He’s a physical therapist and an Esko VP. He says their exoskeleton technology helps patients get upright a lot faster. They have over 300 patents. They also say all their technology is getting better, from the electronics, senors, to even their cloud technology.
But you know what impressed me though? The patients they treat. Watching them get up and walk with the help of this kind of IT support. The exoskeleton wraps around their limbs. Then, they get up and can move, get up and even walk. That’s awesome. That is what I mean by robotics’ good side. Personally, what Esko Bionics is doing inspires me. To use robotic technology to help our soldiers is very honorable. I can only hope they can help all people dealing with paralysis. So this story somewhat changes my opinion of robotics… kinda….sorta.
So surely you took a picture on your smartphone. It came out unsavory. Their was a stranger in the background. Then the photo was dull, or maybe you took the picture before everybody was ready. Google wants to help. In fact, Google uses AI to fix smartphone pictures.
So most of us know how good Google Photos are at making photos better. But now they add a new feature they called Suggested Actions. This new action will be out sometime in summer 2018. This software will give you ideas and instructions on how to doctor up your photos. It will also color tools. As in, one thing you can do is change black and white photos to color.
But that’s just the beginning. Now, AI will recognize people in those pictures. Then, Google Photo suggests sending which photo to which person. If your photo is too dark, then AI will tell you how to make it brighter. It can even convert a Google Photo to PDF. But wait…there’s more. You can make all kinds of edits to your photos. For example, you recently take a photo. But you want to make it vintage. Google uses AI to help you fix that, like colors that look more 1968 than 2018.
So that is how this piece of IT support works. I can see how this would work for those who have old photos on they’re systems. For instance, last Christmas, my family put on a small play about my uncle’s 1960s upbringing. We used photos from that era. Obviously, we didn’t have Suggested Actions because it wasn’t around yet. But we did have some great tools, some by Google. People at this play enjoyed these photos. And some of this photos were on a smartphone. Most of you know I am NOT a fan of AI, or it’s potential. IT service never ceases to amaze me. But would you use Google’s AI Suggested Actions to fix your photos?
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?
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?
So over the last several weeks, a debate raged on. The debates raged from online privacy rights to powerful tech leaders selling our information. In fact, these debates happen everywhere, from homes, bars, coffee shops, even our Boston computer service shop. Maybe we can help. Here is to deleting your Google history and checking your activity.
Yes, you can delete your browsing history. But even doing that doesn’t get rid of all the information Google has on you. However, by deleting your Google history, you can limit how much data they have on you. But that’s not the only way. In fact, Google isn’t the only candy store in town.
Ever hear of GoDuckGo? It’s a rival search engine that doesn’t track you online. Their CEO, Gabriel Weinberg, sees to it GoDuckGo doesn’t track you online. Another way to take out your Google history, or at least some of it, is to delete map activity. Google says it will delete your data…after you delete it first. Another thing you can do is adjust your Google settings and choose, ‘Stop Saving Activity’. It will do just that.
I don’t have all the answers, nor do I have all day to research and give you all the answers. But I can give you a pointer or two.
How to turn off your activity: 1. Go to Activity controls. 2. Turn off activity you don’t want to save. 3. To confirm, hit pause.
Deleting your Google history: 1. Go to My Activity. 2. At top right page, choose More -> Delete activity by. 3.? Below ‘Delete by Date’, select the Down Arrow-> All Time. 4. Select Delete. 4 1/2. You can control what you want to delete in ‘My Activity’.
So there are just some ways to keep your privacy private. But there are risk, like losing your saved passwords. If you are going to do this, then I hope you have a good memory. Also, I think Google realizes they’re not the monopoly they think they are. In fact, they know competitors like GoDuckGo are gaining on them. That’s why they’re taking such steps to help you delete your history. I applaud Google for doing it, but do you think they would if it were the only game in town? Now do you see why competition is so critical in IT support and online tech?
So I tire of reading about the Facebook scandal, and other IT service woes. Then I think, “What else is going on out there?”. I found a smartwatch that might interest some of you. Introducing the Android Skagen Faltser.
So we can thank our friends in Denmark for the Skagen Faltser. You read the time on an OLED round face. It can also serve as an alarm clock. You can wake up to a white on black color. If that’s too plain for you, then I see some cool blue color schemes as well. It has Android Fit for you workouts. It also has translations for your language needs. However, what it doesn’t have shocks me. It doesn’t have GPS, LTE Connectivity, or even a heart-rate monitor.
They say it’s because the watch is too small it can’t fit everything. According to many who wear this watch, it’s easier to use than many Apple or Samsung smartwatches. I like the display it has that tell you what time it is around the world. It can last about 24 hours without a recharge. It works with Android devices, and Apple ones too. The Skagen Faltser will cost you around $275. But you can upgrade with to a leather or metal band for an extra $20.
I’m not so sure about this smartwatch. To me, this really is a question about quality vs look. If you want a nice look, then the Android Skagen Faltser is for you. The fact that it’s from Denmark gives it a chic feel. I see the pictures, and it will give you props, especially is you were to wear it to our computer service shop. However, if you’re looking for tech efficiency, then this isn’t the watch for you. It doesn’t even have a heart-rate monitor. That should tell you something. As for me, I think I’ll pass. Sorry, but I like more efficiency and less look. Would you buy the Android Skagen Faltser?
