In October 2015, Google officially became Alphabet. They did this because Google had so much going on. So they combined all their smaller parts, from Google Maps to You Tube. Then they formed Alphabet. It seems to work for them. Because Alphabet stocks rise to n-e-w heights.
However, it’s not just stocks that are rising. Everything else Google is doing very well. Let’s look at digital advertising. Google and Facebook took 75 percent of the digital ad profits. Of course, that left little for the hundreds of other IT support companies. Also, Google’s revenue increased 22% from what it was at this time last year. Their overall net worth was 29% more then what is was in April 2016.
The stock traders are very happy with this. After this news, Alphabet stocks traded high within hours after getting this news. In fact, on Monday April 24, Alphabet stocks started at $868.50. But as of today’s writing, prices were $929.58. But not all the news is good news. You Tube took a hit, thanks to some controversy over offensive content. But then again, this is 2017. Everybody is offended by everything. I digress. But it got so bad some advertisers called for a boycott. But it doesn’t seem to hit their revenue much, if at all.
Financially, things couldn’t ?be brighter for Google, whoops, I mean alphabet. Not only that, but tests for Google cars seem to be going well too. So who knows? Maybe you’ll be driving a Google car sometime soon. But with this awesome news comes a little concern, especially with the consumers. I notice how Google and Facebook, two mega, super tech conglomerates, got 75% of the digital ad profits. But wait…aren’t there hundreds…no…thousands of tech companies out there? Yes, many of them. But only two of them got that much of the pie. Now do you see my concern here?
Since the 2016 US Presidential Election, there is a war on fake news. But what is ‘fake news’? That’s the debate that goes on everywhere, form computer service shops to bars to barbers/hair salons. So Google announces this project to stop fake news, hate speech, and inappropriate language. They call it Google’s Project Owl: Good idea or censorship tool?
Google’s Project Owl is in the form of a customer feedback system. Some say it will also weed out problem searches. It’s not just fake new they’re fighting. They’re targeting rumors, conspiracy theories, racial slurs, spam, strong violent and sexual content. However, Google processes over 6 billion searches a day. How will they tackle this?
So this is where feedback comes in. Here is how it goes down. You type in a search. Google gives you a set of choices. But what if you see one offensive or inappropriate? Then click on ‘report inappropriate predictions’. A form appears. This form lets you choose which phrase you had a problem with. Furthermore, you can choose more than one. Then you can choose why it’s inappropriate. The choices are: Hateful, Sexually Explicit, Violent or includes dangerous or harmful activity, and Other. However, Google processes six billion searches a day. So it may take days, or even weeks, to get them to process your complaint.
I give Google credit. At least they’re letting the people decide what is offensive and inappropriate. No big shot moralist or politically correct snob is calling the shots on his/her own discretion. That’s the worst thing Google, or any IT support company, can do. No one human being, or small handful of human beings, should have that kind of power. That’s not democracy. That’s dictatorship. But Google’s Project Owl could lead to other issues. Nowadays, many people find everything offensive. We’re in a very heightened politically correct society. What may be okay to some may be incredibly inappropriate to others. And what if Google blocks some searches but not others? Is Google’s Project Owl a good idea? Or will it lead to censorship?
Last week, in our Boston computer service shop, we had a debate. It was about how good, or not so good, Windows 10 is. So my argument was, “They’re doing better than other Windows services did”. Hence, it looks like they’re trying to do even better. Here are new Windows features, especially for GMail users.
But don’t expect this to happen overnight. The new Windows features will happen first to insiders, then to the general public. Furthermore, you’ll see them on Outlook and Office 365. That is, those who have ties to GMail accounts. If you want to focus on a certain email, the new features can do it. They can also help you with every day business and personal things, like traveling and package deliveries.
But Microsoft asks users to do their part. They need to send a copy of their email, calendar and contact to Microsoft cloud. This updates your GMail system. In the next few weeks, expect reminders to upgrade your GMail account. And they won’t stop reminding you, either. So if you miss the first prompt, just give it a few weeks. You’ll get another one.
In fact, they’ll probably cram it down your throat until you finally do accept the new Windows feature. That’s what I don’t like about these new features. And it’s not just Microsoft, but just about every IT service does it like this. It’s maddening. Okay, enough of my ranting. But I wish Microsoft would tell us a little bit more of these new Windows features. What else do they have to offer? Or is this it? And I’ve been talking to several Windows 10 users. I also spoke with some GMail users as well. A lot of folks are unhappy with these services. Will these new Windows features make them happy? Or will it further alienate more customers?
Before I begin today’s story, I want to make one thing clear. I love Facebook. It allowed me to connect with people I haven’t in years. Also, a lot of people use Facebook for good. But some use it to glorify their evil acts. There was a murder on Facebook Live: When people stream evil.
So in Cleveland yesterday, one guy recorded his own murder on Facebook Live. His name is Steve Stephens, age 37. On Easter Sunday 2017, he asked a 74 year old man to say a name. Then, he shot 74-year-old Robert Goodwin in the head, killing him instantly. Not only did Steve Stevens stream the murder, he went even further.
He made several Facebook Live videos. He claimed to have killed 15 people that day. Then, he called it his own, personal ‘Easter Day slaughter’. Before this particular shooting, he bragged about killing 13 people. He said he was looking for number 14. Stevens targeted Robert Goodwin at random. He also told police he left 15 bodies in a warehouse. But Cleveland police can only confirm one murder: Mr. Robert Goodwin’s. Facebook took Stephens’ videos within hours afterwards. In a statement, a Facebook rep said, “This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content on Facebook.”
But the damage is already out there. I was on my Facebook page last night, and I saw the videos with my own eyes. I didn’t dare click on the video, but just the still frame alone told this horrible, tragic crime. My Facebook friends talked about it. One threatened to unfriend anybody who put these videos on his page. However, Facebook made the right call in removing such horror. I believe in free speech as much as any American. But with freedom comes responsibility. No free society can allow sociopaths like Steve Stephens to post and brag about murder on Facebook Live. Yes, people use IT service for wonderful work. But unfortunately, evil is always lurking.
I regret to inform you that as of this writing, Steve Stephens is still at large. If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, and if you know anything about his whereabouts, please do the right thing. Please contact your local police. We need to get this psychopath off the streets! What do you think of Facebook’s decision to pull Steve Stephens’ videos?
Here in our Boston computer service shop, we pride ourselves in watching the latest tech trends of today. But one trend even caught me by surprise. They call it the Clip. So it’s this new video editing app. Let’s talk about the Apple clip app frenzy.
Within just a few days, Apple Clip has a million downloads. They released it back on April 6, 2017. Then, they watched as downloads quickly approached the six digit range. But now, not even a week into it, it’s around a million. The app is free. Furthermore, if you love Snapchat and Instagram, you’ll probably love Apple Clip. With Clips, one can use sounds, filters, cartoons and emoji to spice up your video. Also, you can even animate your spoken word or written text.
Despite this Apple clip app frenzy, some still think these numbers are low. They’re not even in the top 20 Apple apps. In the days following it’s release, it reached as high as 28 on the list. But it also reached as low as 53. I’m not sure what the advertising strategy was here. But one Apple app executive said it failed to reach ‘the average user’. However, the Apple clip app frenzy shows no sign of slowing down.
It’s also very easy to use. The editing tools aren’t hard to manage. So to those freaking out about why Apple Clip only has a million downloads in one week: Calm down and chill out. Do you remember how long it took Facebook, You Tube, Twitter and other social media outlets to take off? It often took months, if not years! If I were an Apple app executive, I’d be happy with the million. Because those millions are going to tell other millions. And what about Apple Clip being in only 28th place? Do you know how many apps Apple has? Percentage wise, Apple Clip is doing pretty good. Plus, it’s a fun, friendly family app anybody can use. That counts for something. Will the Apple clip app frenzy continues? And are the naysayers freaking out over nothing?
I read an interesting article last year. It’s about why many people, including those in computer repair and IT service, drop out of the workplace. Then the article gives reasons: horrible traffic, workplace bullying, unsatisfying work, underpay, etc. But here comes tech and retail giant Amazon. Can they save the day? Let’s look at Amazon work from home program: pros and cons.
Amazon plans to hire many people to work from home. Right now, they’re recruiting 5,000 people. But in 18 months, they want over 100,000 in the Amazon work from home program. That’s not all. These jobs also offer benefits, like insurance, help with medical care, even a Career Choice program. According to one Amazon vice-president, this is the perfect opportunity for people to earn a little extra income. I have to agree with that. These are the pros.
But now, let’s look at the cons. This is not a ‘get rich’ opportunity. In fact, the pay will only be $10.00 an hour. In most states, that, little more than minimum wage. Furthermore, these hours seem to be just for nights and weekends. So if someone who is unemployed looks for Amazon to help them get money while looking for work on a weekday, this won’t help them. This is also bad for anybody who doesn’t make enough and is working full-time. They need that night and weekend time to relax and be with family and friends. But this isn’t the only hurdle to cross. These $10 an hour jobs are only available in 26 states.
So if you’re in California and Texas, you need not apply. Because Amazon work from home is not an offer to you. That’s why I call this Amazon opportunity the ultimate con (in this case, that meant bad opportunity). I appreciate the opportunity it provides some people. But they need to fix the kinks in the system. First of all, make it available to all states, or as many as you can. Then, offer it 24/7. If somebody needs to work at home during work hours, make it available. Amazon is a multi-billion dollar company. Surely they can afford to pay out more than $10 an hour to skilled adult workers. A 15-year-old flipping burgers make almost as much. Do you consider the Amazon work from home program a pro or con?
