So I predicted the US vs. China trade war and the Huawei controversy had no end in sight. I appear to be right. Because China threatens blacklist over Huawei.
So most of you know, the US pretty much banned Huawei from doing any business in this country. But now, China seems ready to retaliate. According to Gao Feng, a China’s commerce spokesperson, they’re putting a list together. This list includes any company, or nation, that hinders business with Chinese companies. Feng calls this list ‘unreliable entities’. This all stems for the Huawei controversies. However, within 90 days or go, Google can still aid Huawei. But that’s only for emergency services.
So what does any of this have to do with IT service? Well, Google, Intel, and other Silicon Valley giants are either limiting or outright cutting off ties with Huawei. Furthermore, Huawei leaders say this stoppage of business with US companies will hinder business. They also say it damages their reputation. So far, the US imposed a $200 billion tariff on Chinese goods. In response to this, they expect China to pose a $60 billion tariff on US goods. That tariff could already be in the works. And this could be just the beginning.
Because now, Huawei is taking this to the courtroom. They claim what the US is doing is unconstitutional. But let’s get back to this blacklist. We don’t know who is on it yet. But you can best believe some of the biggest IT companies are, like the Google’s, the Amazon’s, the Intel’s, the Microsoft’s. If they do this, then this will have a huge impact on the American IT support industry. I’m not excusing Huawei by any means, nor am I in support of the way China does business. In fact, I don’t approve of it. But China has the world’s 2nd largest economy. So if China threatens blacklist, then where do we go from here?
So there is a chip out there that can take on many of IT service’s issues. We’re talking everything from e-cars to the debate about surveillance. In fact, Sony’s new thing could even affect speeds. Sony’s chip. Could it change everything?
So this chip could change how your devices exchange information. This isn’t science fiction, but real life. When you put this chip on, then it will send data to any of Sony’s LPWA. The acronym LPWA means low-power wide area. Yes, you can use the Internet to transfer data to a cloud. But it takes quite some doing. However, with Sony’s new LPWA chip, you can use low power tech and low-bit data to reach a wide area. This could change everything.
Sony’s chip official name is the CXM1501GR. So I hope you appreciate why I’m calling it Sony’s chip. It transmits signals to Sony’s network. It also has a GPS to sensors to get time and position data. Sony says this will stabilize wireless communication over wide distances. This will also move at high speeds. In fact, this new chip can transmit 60 miles from it’s original spot. They can also move in any environment at break neck speed. Sony expects to launch the LPWA chip sometime in fall 2019.
They already have this type of IT service in Japan. Then again, look at all this big brother technology they want to reign over the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Yes, they say this will help track packages and monitor your children better. They also say this will help you catch that train without waiting, or navigate long distances. But please, keep in mind some people want to be left alone. Also, don’t we have enough cyber security out there already? It’s one of the fastest growing industries in the world. So here’s what I’m asking about Sony’s chip. Could it change everything?
So we all know about the swift rise of AI technology. Some say it will be the ruin of us. But others say it will take us to the next level. However, they’re combining AI with some of history’s most precious artwork. It’s Mona Lisa and artificial intelligence. Is this awesome or creepy?
So we can thank the AI Samsung Center for this piece of IT service. What they do is make a facial model with their AI tech. They call it a source face. Then, they will apply that source face to a picture or artwork. It can be a recent photo, or something as old as the Mona Lisa. So now, the target face can do whatever the AI face does when they combine the two.
These AI researchers are using facial features like talking, blinking, turning and other facial expressions. However, they admit this system is far from perfect. It takes a lot of data from the AI model to load up the face to the target in order for this to work. They call this single-shot learning. They’re applying this to the Mona Lisa, perhaps the most famous painting of all-time. They have three AI pictures of this.
The first has the Mona Lisa blinking and talking looking straight at the person. Then the second has the Mona Lisa turning her head, while talking and blinking. The third has her looking down while talking and blinking. I must admit it, it creeped my out looking at the Mona Lisa like this. But then, I couldn’t stop looking. They’re doing this to pictures of real life historic figures too, like Albert Einstein and Marylin Monroe. What do you think of Mona Lisa and artificial intelligence? Is it awesome or creepy? Or could making historic figures talk be leading to something more sinister?
So the foldable phone is supposed to be the next IT service big thing. But it’s not looking good. Huawei’s trade war and Galaxy Ford’s issues keep getting in the way. Despite these setbacks, computer companies are moving on. Introducing the foldable laptop despite phone.
Because now, Lenovo shows off it’s ThinkPad X1. Their foldable display can make this thing look more like a tablet than a PC laptop. Yes, it’s 13.3 inches, but once you fold it, the screen and rest of it’s size is cut in half. I will admit. Those in computer repair know, and respect Lenovo for their innovations. Some worked. But some others ended in disaster.
What the ThinkPad X1 does is remove the screen from the tactical keyboard. That’s how you can fold it in half and cut space. But Lenovo isn’t the only one playing with this. Dell told computer experts they’re working on the same thing. But in the pictures I’m seeing of the Think Pad X1, the screen almost covers the keyboard. That’s how it folds. Experts know how little about this item. We don’t even know the price. But we can expect Lenovo to release it sometime in 2020.
Saying all this, what are we going to do about the foldable smartphone? Well, I’m interested in neither. But if you are, then my advice to keep waiting. Yes, Samsung delays the Galaxy Ford, but be patient. They’ll get there. The Trump administration pretty much blacklisted Huawei from even doing business in the US. Is it bad for me to say that I don’t feel sorry for Huawei at all? Not even a little bit. So needless to say, the foldable smartphone isn’t going so well, and has little resolution in sight. Now, Lenovo is introducing the foldable laptop despite foldable phone. Is this a good time though?
So we all know that E-cars seem to be the wave of the future. Also, they say by the 2030s, the e-car will be the premier vehicle. However, there are others. What is an e-bike? Will they dominate future?
An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor, but the rider can still pedal them. They also use rechargeable batteries. So let’s talk about Bond Mobility. It’s a young IT service firm from Silicon Valley that build e-bikes. These bikes can travel up to 30 MPH. That’s twice the speed of an e-scooter. Furthermore, unlike e-cars and scooters, you can park these e-bikes anywhere, just like regular bikes. You can even tie and lock them up to a pole.
Bond Mobility also has headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. In fact, that’s where all of their products are right now, in Europe. But they’re coming to the USA soon. However, there is a controversy about how fast this e-bike can go. Look at California. There, a bike that can’t go more than 30MPH can be rented with a licence to drive a car. Other states have similar laws. This can work to Bond Mobility’s advantage. In Switzerland, Bond Mobility’s e-bike is wildly successful. Can it do well in the USA?
Well, the want and the stats are there. In fact, some of them say by the 2030s, the e-biking business should be $300 billion in the US. It’s also worth $150 billion in Europe and $50 billion in China. Plus, a lot of people believe in Bond Mobility. Because they got a lot of funding from major corporations like Toyota and SoftBank. I know in Boston, home of our computer repair firm, traffic is one of the worst in the country. So I’m sure here, many people would like to jump on Bond Mobility’s e-bikes. Will e-bikes dominate our future?
So in this tech and IT service era, headphones are no longer a luxury. They are a necessity. So many of us have a smartphone right? Retailers know this. That’s why we have so many headphones for sale; and headphones for cheap.
So how much will you pay for a noise cancelling wireless headphone? $500? $300? You’re in luck. Because now, you can get Treblab’s Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones for as little as around $80. They contain 40mm speakers that keeps your noise in. They also have noise-cancelling technology to keep the world’s noise out. Treblab is a new kid on the block. But at least you won’t be paying for a name, like Bose or Beats by Dr Dre. Here is more info and how to get the Quiet Comfort 35.
What is that you say? You’re more of an earbud person? You’re in luck too. Because JLab has wireless Bluetooth earbuds for as little as $50. Okay, it says $49, but personally, I hate when companies do that, just say $50 and keep it real! But these buds have 10 hours of battery life, a USB cable and they turn on themselves. It’s a great alternative to Apple’s Airpods. Those things will run you $149. And I wouldn’t trust the quality of Airpods, so JLab has the far better bargain.
But the truth of the matter is, nowadays, you can get headsets for under $10. However, they won’t last that long. Just trust me on this one. If you can get the better ones, then please do so. In our computer repair field, we’re even asked by our clients which headsets to get. That just goes to show you what a staple of life they are. That’s why so many companies have so many headphones for sale. And if they were smart, then they would keep the options many and the prices low. What are your favorite headsets?
