So it goes without saying. Kids today are a lot smarter than we were some 30 years ago. We can thank computer repair and technology for that. But sometimes it feels like they’re too smart for their own good. Kids infiltrate Apple’s screen control system.
Apple’s screen control system’s goal is to limit how much time kids and teens have on Apple devices. But kids are finding new ways to get around that, and/or hack the system all together. The youngest one to do this is only seven? years old! All he did was uninstall apps, then reinstall them again. Another kid, 13, changed dates and times on his device. That way, he manipulated how much downtime his parents set for him.
This new ‘screen time’ feature came out with iOS 12, because it came out just a few weeks ago. However, the 7-year-old confessed he went to the App store, downloads a formally installed game through the cloud. It works. Meanwhile, the 13-year-old changed the old time to unlimited time. All he did was go to settings and change date and time. This even impressed the parents themselves. This is already getting around like wildfire. Somebody posted about this on Reddit. I’m not sure if it was the parents, kids or who started the conversation. But it’s already getting over 500 comments and have no signs of slowing down.
I saw that this system is only a few weeks ago. So it sounds like Apple has some kinks to iron out. But what else do I often say? Hackers are getting smarter and smarter. So are kids getting smarter with technology. Let’s look at the 13-year-old. He was born between 2004-05. This means he can’t ever remember a time before smartphones and social media. The 7-year-old obviously can’t. So when they’re and raised into this world, then of course they’re going to know more about hacking then we ever did. I myself was amazed when a 13-year-old kid came into our computer service shop. Not only did he diagnose his own issue, but virtually fixed it, too, with a little bit of our help, of course. What do think of this next generation of tech whiz kids?
So Microsoft is about to have their Ignite conference in Orlando. But the star of the show wasn’t Steve Ballmer or Bill Gates. It was AI (artificial intelligence) technology. This is the new Microsoft Office: The New Microsoft Office.
In fact, most of their new features have AI’s backing. The biggest feature is Ideas. These are tools within Excel and Power Point, and their goal is to save time, then energy. They also say Ideas can choose your layout for your specific presentation for you. Furthermore, Ideas can pick your charts for you. These changes are also coming for Power Point Online in the near future.
But that’s not all. Excel is getting new features, all based on AI. These features include turning raw data into easy data you can easy put into spreadsheets. It also comes with image recognition. With this, you can turn data pictures into Exel files. One thing I like about the new Microsoft Office is they make the functions easy and it looks organized. Then there is Microsoft Search. It’s a search network that will soon debut on Bing and Office.com. Who knows? Maybe they’ll come to other sites as the future progresses. This is the new AI Microsoft Office.
For more than a quarter century, Microsoft led the IT service world. And we all know that in the last few years, the AI/robotic technology is the wave of the IT support world. This trend has no end in sight. And it looks like Microsoft is following the trend. This doesn’t surprise me, except for that it took this long. We hear how others companies, tech or not (especially restaurants and fast-food industries) embrace AI. Maybe Microsoft planned this for years and told nobody. Or maybe they finally gave in to the AI craze. Will it work out for them?
So a few years ago, fast food workers protested, insisting on a higher minimum wage salary. Some of them got it, but some of they got replaced. And not by other workers, but by robots. However, there is another IT service company taking this to a whole new level. Let’s see how AI takes over fast food industry.
So there is a company they call Clinc. Clinc is a AI tech firm that specializes in AI voice conversation. They’re already offering their services to fast food giants like Taco Bell and McDonald’s. If they have their way, it will be a robot voice, instead of a human being, taking your order at the window.
However, they already say there are complications. They already admit how difficult it was to get AI to take orders. That’s because the people that run Clinc know that every order and voice are distinctly different. But like all voice technology, Clinc is trying to make their voice as human as possible. They also know a person can change their mind or add extra things at the drive through window. That’s why they’re studying things like speech pattern and voice. But they insists you can talk to this system normally just like you can a human being. We’ll see about that.
However, I will give Clinc credit here. They already have major clients in the banking industry. Okay, maybe that’s more or a warning sign than credit, but it goes to show. Clinc can make this happen. Some even used Clinc’s services at fast food joints in the past. Sometimes it got it right. Then other times, it got it wrong. But then again, humans get it right and wrong sometimes. So what makes this robot so special? And has this IT support firm even thought about the jobs that could go away because of this? As AI takes over fast food industry, what will become of this industry?
So who knows what Instacart is? If you don’t, then it’s a grocery delivery app and service. Late last year, they made a deal with major grocer Kroger’s and their sub-chain, Ralph’s. But recently, they made a deal that topped the previous one. Let’s look at this Instacart expansion.
Today, they announced Instacart will now open for up nearly half of all Kroger grocery stores. Basically, this means by November 2018, Instacart delivery will be available for over 1,600 Kroger stores. However, Kroger isn’t the only one benefiting from the Instacart expansion. Other chains like Sam’s Club and Albertsons also have Instacart deliver their groceries to customers.
They want to reach 80% of Americans by the end of 2018. They just might. Because as of now, they can reach 70% of the people. They’re getting plenty of backup too. In one month alone, they raised $200 million worth of capital. In fact, Instacart is now worth around $4 billion. Now let’s talk about the competition. Because there’s plenty of it. Amazon and Whole Foods have their own delivery services and apps. And they’re worth a combined $14 billion. Then you have Target. Obviously, there’s a clothing and accessories retail store. But they’re doing their own online delivery.
Then again, maybe such competition is a good thing. Grocers like Sam’s Club sees how Amazon is trying to turn the world into their own monopoly. Maybe that’s why Sam’s Club ran to Instacart’s arms. This is interesting because less and less people are going to grocery stores…well, traditionally. Now, they’re shopping for their foods and other supplies online. Then, they go pick them up or have a driver deliver them. So IT support and IT service even affects the way we grocery shop, something that people have done since the beginning of time. The grocery store app race is on. Who do you think will win?
So Sony is coming out with their new gadget. But it’s not a smartphone, laptop, or any normal IT support gadget. It’s a robotic dog. In fact, it’s robotic dog Aibo: Is this cute or creepy?
This puppy robot looks and acts like a puppy. In fact, I saw footage of this puppy wagging it’s tail and blinking it’s bright eyes like a real puppy. Furthermore, it looks at you and charms you like a real puppy. It can beg, fetch, roll over, shake hands, play dead and do other typical dog tricks. You have to train robotic dog Aibo to do these tricks.
But there’s way more to this dog than just real life tricks and companionship. It comes with lots of AI technology and deep learning. The cameras in it’s nose and eyes alone can pick up a person and a pet’s sniff. That way, can truly distinguish it’s owner from other people, and humans from pets. It can even pick up on your mood. Aibo comes with an app, so you can train it to do the things I mentioned. You can use the app to determine Aibo’s gender, eye color and bark. With the app that comes with it, you can even train it to become a camera watch dog.
Yes, robotic dog Aibo can be many things to many people. But inexpensive won’t be one of them. On average, Aibo will cost you $2,900. It will be available in the US in September 2018. I’m sorry, but if I want a cute pet, I will get a real pet. If I want a robot, or piece of AI technology, then I will get a robot or piece of AI technology. Just to train a robot as a pet is beyond bizarre to me. How anyone can ‘ooh’ and ‘awww’ and ‘how cute’ a robot is beyond me. It’s just a robot, y’all! There are many, many, real life dogs out there just waiting to be adopted in shelters. Go there to get a pet. Robotic Dog Aibo: Is this cute or creepy?
So, we can all agree earphones came a long way in a short period of time. I remember when they were big and bulky and still gave you poor quality. But now we come to this. We’re introducing world’s first magnetic wireless earphones.
So I’m talking about planar magnetic headphones. We already have models like Blue Ella. But now, there are CL2 Planar earphones. They are completely wireless. They are also so tiny that the whole thing can fit into your eardrum. Then take into account their record setting transducers and other parts.
It’s wireless, but it comes with an optional Bluetooth neck brace. It also has a 12 hour battery life. However, if the battery life runs out, plug it into the 3.5mm cables. They built the outside from a substance they call zirconium dioxide. That protects the inside from mold, which can easily destroy any earphone set. This CL2 Planar set comes with optional wires acting as a charger, a storage case, flight adapters, foam tips, and other accessories. They create that near perfect sound by creating magnetic balance using opposing fields. It also uses planar magnetic copper coil. They say this is the key to producing better sounds from bass to treble, and every sound in between.
I’m just introducing world’s first magnetic wireless earphones. These CL2 Planar come out September 12, 2018. Starting that day, you’ll find them in retail stores and online. However, you won’t these earphones cheap. From the IT support research I’m finding, these things will start at $900. Basically, they’re going to be competing against some of the top of the line earphones around the world. With computer servicing technology the way it is these days, just about everybody uses or needs earphones, or headphones, these days. So you know some people will buy these. Is $900 worth a pair of earphones to you?
