So last week, investigative reports caught Google in a privacy snafu. Because they discovered even when you turn off your location, Google still tracks you. But I found some ways of how to keep your privacy in check.
In some cases, it’s just as easy as going into your Google settings app. Follow instructions, and from there, you’ll find review your privacy settings. Then you’ll find privacy checkup. Once you hit get started, then you can study your own privacy options. There are several things you can switch off in this app. For example, you can go to the?turned on?button. Then, flip from blue to grey on the next page and hit the pause button. This way, you can either delete certain locations or turn the whole thing off altogether.
You can also turn off your location history. Click on?turned on,?which is next to Location History. Then, go to?manage settings. It will show you that your smartphone is showing off your location history to the world. Here is where you can turn it off. You can even get rid of old data that’s haunting you. Just go to the Device Information center and click?manage activity.?Then, click on?delete all.?
They assure me this will work on all Android smartphones. I’m getting this from computer repair experts, who are also concerned about their privacy. I find it disturbing that this came from an IT support source; I mean a third party source. So far, Google is saying and doing little about this issue. Let’s face it. It’s awfully hard not to use Google these days. If you use any Android at all, then you’re using Google. If you watch You Tube, then you watch Google. Also, if you even search for something, then chances are you’re going to be using Google. This is how to keep your privacy in check. But shouldn’t this come from Google itself?
So back in 1938, Orson Wells came out with radio broadcast War of the Worlds. This piece of fiction sounded so real people really took to the streets expecting aliens. Now, there is social media footage that kinda reminds me of that. Robot freaks out Twitter. Is AI going wild?
So a few days ago, someone put up a Tweet of a robot walking around. This robot looked almost too human. He had all the human forms we do: head, two arms, two legs, was upright, etc. This bot walked around cars in the front yard like it was nothing, with no human help. Before long, this Twitter video got over 5 million views. The feedback was that of fear and even apocalyptic paranoia.
So many called the footage, ‘scary’, ‘creepy’, and ‘terrifying’. Then you have mentalist Darren Brown tweeting, in all capital letters, “We’re all going to die!”. One person tweeted back an evil robot that was on the verge of killing people. Then another person posted a movie clip and in the titles it said, “We’re not going to make it, are we?”. But everybody can go ahead and relax. Because the robot isn’t even real. Because 3D artist Maxim Sullivan used CGI (computer generated imagery) to make Adam, this robot, look all too real.
That’s how I make the comparison between this robot and War of the Worlds. People really did think War of the Worlds was real, and it scared them to death. In the same way, people thought this robot was real, and it was scary. But this should tell you what people think about AI technology in IT support. That is is scary. It is scary that every job from cooking to nursing to computer repair will be replaced by robots soon. Yes, it’s scary to think people are taking robots for mates, even as spouses. Of course it’s scary to think robots will serve as police officers and military personnel one day. No wonder why robot freaks out Twitter. Then you have scary robots that are as real as can be. So what do we do about it?
So most of you remember Apple just made the trillion dollar mark. I also argued if they want to keep it up, then they need to start selling new products. They must be listening. Because there is a new Apple MacBook. There are also early problems.
So first, the rumor mill says there will be a new Apple MacBook coming out in the months to come. It will either be a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Also keep in mind this rumor mill comes from Asia. These same reports say they will be inexpensive MacBook. However, we don’t even know what kind of Macbook it will be. The best candidate will probably be a new 12-inch MacBook. When they say inexpensive, their cheapest form of Apple laptop could start at $999.
But before they start selling and promoting this mysterious new Apple MacBook, they might want to fix what they already have. Because Apple users are already complaining about crackling sounds. According to customers, the strange sound comes from playing audio. So far, Apple, one of the mightiest IT support conglomerates, can’t fix this issue. Furthermore, just last month, new MacBook Pros had a glitch that caused major slowdowns. They did have a software fix for that, eventually.
So now I get it. I can see why Apple is so slow and so hush about releasing new computers. Maybe they should first work on the new machines they have now. If they want to keep having a trillion dollar company, then they need to fix the problems they have now. I guess they do need to release new products too. Because other companies are releasing new products. The way I see it, Apple really is between a rock and a hard place. Although if they do give you problems, we specialize in laptops fixed. Do they fix the problems they have, or do they continue sending new products?
So in Japan, there is university professor Hiroshi Ishiguro. One time, he built a top of the line robot of himself. Also, keep in mind this was back in 2010. So keep in mind how far IT support and robotics are now. This is where Ibuki comes in. Meete Ibuki the robot. Are robotics going too far?
So Ibuki is a robot that patterns after a 10 year old boy. It (yes I call it ‘it’ and not ‘he’) has wheels for legs, but the face and hands look eerily human. However, that’s not the scariest thing about Ibuki. It scans for faces. It also uses a half track system for moving around. Ibuki the robot can’t talk, but it blinks and can move it’s head. That is the way it communicates with humans. In fact, I saw a video of Ibuki doing this with it’s creator, Hiroshi Ishiguro. Not only can such robots interact with humans, but with other robots. That is his goal. To have robots communicating with humans as well with other robots. Ibuki has wheels for legs, but he can move around and walk like a human being.
However, keep in mind it’s not completely human. So if you see Ibuki the robot walk down the street, you’ll still know it’s a robot. It has exposed wires for a head and neck. But you and I know this is just the beginning. We see it everywhere, don’t we? From Sophia the robot in Saudi Arabia to Boston Dynamics near our computer service shop, there seems to be a robotic race. It’s a race to make robots look and act more human and animal like on a daily basis. The scary part is, they’re succeeding. How long before they become so intelligent they come after us and want our world for themselves. Are robotics going too far?
So many New York City citizens complain IT service ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft clog up NYC streets. Furthermore, The New York City Council listened. Because now, New York City limits ride sharing apps.
They passed the local law that will slow down licences for ride sharing apps. In fact, the only new ride sharing cars allowed will be for handicapped riders. This law also sets a minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers. However, here is a twist. From the looks of things, the majority of NYC ride share drivers approve the bill. But from what I’m reading, Uber and Lyft executives do not.
Yesterday, a group they call Independent Drivers Guild demonstrated outside Citiy Hall. They praised the bill. One person said he hopes this starts a fairer ride sharing industry everywhere. He also stated this prevents ‘gig economies’ from stripping workers of their rights. Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft tried to get drivers to fight this new bill. They say it will lead to fewer drivers. And when you have fewer drivers, then service takes longer because more people are in line. They even proposed a $100 million fund to help drivers who may need assistance.
You can bet this is far from over. Already, they’re trying to find ways to keep up with ride sharing demand and obey these new laws. Sometimes they say, “as New York City goes, so goes the nation”. But I understand the complaints. Outside our Boston computer service shop, I see traffic backed up and frustrated drivers stalled. All because one ride sharing driver is waiting for one Uber/Lyft customer. Also on other busy streets, they can back traffic up because ride sharing drivers pick up customers, causing back-ups. So yes I understand the complaining. Here is what you can do. Customers, please wait outside promptly for your driver. When he/she comes, get in the car quickly so you guys can go on and traffic can go on. New York City limits ride sharing apps. Should other US cities?
So many people are into mobile gaming now. Here at our computer service shop, it’s a favorite activity and talking piece. This is among customers and computer repair experts alike.? But Google sees it and wants to take it somewhere. Google and mobile gaming: Are they taking gaming too?
Well, Google focus on mobile gaming advertising. In fact, they’re teaming up with Unity, a game developing company, to do so. Let’s say marketers advertise with Google on games that Unity makes and backs up. Keep in mind Unity’s audience plays a combined 9 billion minutes a day playing their games. Think about how much revenue and people these companies can reach.
Then think about this: mobile gaming is worth over $50 billion a year. In fact, over 30% of all apps on all smartphones are games. They could range from anything from solitaire to Pac-Man to Call of Duty. When you think of mobile gamers, you probably think of young men and techies, right? Not exactly. Because according to some stats, nearly have of all mobile gamers are now women. These girls and women can be as young as 10, or as old as 65. So look at the age range. Almost all gamers, boys, girls, men and women play their games for free. And most of them said they’d rather watch advertisements then pay for these games out of pocket.
Not only is Unity the leader in gaming production, but it’s becoming a leader in the VR and AI race is well. Plus, keep in mind Google’s biggest rival, Apple, searches for mobile gaming advertisers. It looks like Google beat them in securing an alliance with Unity. And it seems like a good mood. I predict Google and mobile gaming could be the most powerful alliance in advertising history. I know that sounds out there now, but this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Could mobile gaming be the new TV of advertising?
