Aug 9, 2015 | Computer technology
In the 1990s, if I told you self-driving cars would be embraced by all, you’d think I was crazy. The self-driving revolution is here, so whose the crazy one now?
There are many reasons for embracing the self-driving revolution: safer roads, better environment, less dependence on foreign oil. Many people flock to self-driving: poor drivers, good drivers who share the road with poor drivers, environmentalists, engineers, tech gurus, job creators even politicians. That’s right. Political leaders in Virginia, California and Texas are in a race to get the auto industry to bring the self-driving craze to their state. They believe jobs and revenue will come with it. That’s because with self-driving comes car testing zones such as fake suburbs, building and running the cars, and mere attraction to an ever increasing popular concept. Someone has to manage, build, test, work and promote these facilities. Self-driving can earn these states $20 billion for the next five years. Lawmakers are banking self-driving cars can do a lot to improve traffic. The greater Washington DC/Northern Virginia area is notorious for having some of the worst traffic in the United States. Maybe self-driving cars can help curb that. These aren’t the only three states opening their hearts to the self-driving movement. Michigan, once the car building capitol of the US and perhaps the world, offered a 32 acre testing facility in Ann Arbor. Florida is setting up a fake suburban facility at Florida Polytechnic University.
California will be in the obvious running, since it is the home of Google and Silicon Valley. But I look at all these other states in the running. Michigan needs the self-driving revolution more than anybody. While I do sympathize with Northern Virginia’s traffic problem, at least they have a good public transit system (yes, I’ve taken it before). Michigan has been in an economic slump for decades. They’ve seen jobs shipped overseas. There are articles saying much of Detroit is now owned by China! Self-driving cars and their testing facilities could be the break Michigan needs. Which states do you think need to be in the running for self-driving testing?
Aug 8, 2015 | Computer technology
Do you have the week of September 7, specifically the day of September 9 marked on your calendar? If you’re a lover of all things Apple products, you should have this time marked!
Sources in the tech world say Apple will have their annual fall media blitz on September 9, the same day they had it last year. It should be made clear this is just speculation. Apple hasn’t confirmed this and they’re declining to comment about it. But there will be a lot for Apple to showcase this year, and there’s no dispute about that. First there’s a fresh batch of iPhones coming. The new ones are expected to have cool features like Force Touch display, improved cameras, and a new and improved wireless chip. Watch for a new crop of iPads, like the 12.9 inch iPad Pro. Then there’s the new Apple TV system. It was supposed to be revealed back in June at the WWDC conference. Now sources say they’re going to reveal Apple TV at this September media extravaganza. Say goodbye to that top box and say hello the Apple A8 system, better on-board storage, and Siri voice control, among other features. I can’t stress this part enough: this upcoming conference is speculation only. Apple has yet to confirm any of this.
I hope this conference does happen and Apple needs to knock it out of the park. Apple hasn’t had much good news recently.?Apple?stocks fell six percent in one week, and seems to be taking the rest of the market with it.?Apple’s iWatch is being blamed for a sharp decline in US watch sales. Apple Pay has it’s share of problems. Needless to say, Apple needs this conference to happen. Apple needs this to be the best fall media blitz they’ve ever had. Apple needs results in the wake of this media blitz. Will September 9 be a day of breakthrough or a day of infamy for Apple?
Aug 7, 2015 | Security, Uncategorized
Yesterday, news broke that Russia is the main suspect in launching a sophisticated cyber attack against the Pentagon. This international hacking confirmed what many of us in the tech industry already knew: nation is on the cyber warpath against nation.
According to leading mainstream US news agencies like NBC News, US officials accuse Russia of cyber attacking the Pentagon Joint Chiefs of ?Staff unclassified mail system. Thanks to the hack, this email system had to be shut down for two weeks. Officials say the intrusion happened around July 25 and around 4,000 Joint Chiefs of Staff employees were hit. Sources say the hacking started with an automated system that gathered overwhelming data in a matter of one minute. Then that overwhelming data was distributed, all at once, to thousands of machines and accounts throughout the Internet. Officials say Russian hackers pulled it off through encrypted social media. Authorities aren’t claiming the Russian government had anything to do with this cyber attack…at least not aloud. But some officials say, “It was clearly the work of a state actor.” Authorities also insists it was only unclassified email accounts that got hacked. No classified emails were in danger or compromised. The email system should be back to normal in the very near future. It may be already be.
It shouldn’t be surprising at all this was an international attack. China has been accused of hacking several US institutions over the years. And look at the tensions between the US and Russia over the past several years. ?Some foreign relation experts fear we’re slipping back into the Cold War. But what is a surprise is that it made national news. Often times this would only make tech news. I guess they don’t want to scare the masses. What Russian entity do you think is responsible? Or is there something ‘the authorities’ aren’t telling us?
Aug 6, 2015 | internet
The year 2015 isn’t boring for social media website Reddit. Former CEO Ellen Pao resigned under a whirlwind of controversy. ?That was followed by another whirlwind of trolling and bullying, much of it by Reddit users. Maybe that’s why Reddit takes this strong stand.
The strong stand I speak of is Reddit hate speech. Steve Huffman, the new Reddit CEO, rewrote the set of users’ policies and code of conduct. This new code includes ‘quarantining’ entire communities and banning abusive Reddit users. Quarantined communities will be banned from the general Reddit population. Only those who have access to the quarantined community is allowed in. This sort of censorship is geared toward communities that use extreme and abusive language. Huffman put this practice into motion. He banned Reddit community r/CoonTown and their sub-communities for their racist content. Huffman says these bans will be enforced on communities that, “…exist solely to annoy other redditors.” In a Reddit post, Huffman stated a few other Reddit communities have been quarantined for the same reason. Huffman also addressed those who are angered or annoyed at this newly enforced policy. He said Reddit leaders and staff already spend so much time dealing with disruptive communities that they’re losing time serving the other 99.98% of Reddit users.
I understand what Reddit is trying to do. The Ellen Pao controversy certainly opened up this can of worms with trolling. They want to make sure nothing like that happens to Reddit again. I get that. It’s too bad it took this to get Reddit to crack down on bullying and trolling. I believe in the First Amendment and free speech as much as any patriotic American. But I can’t stress this enough; with freedom comes responsibility. However, a line needs to be drawn between freedom and censorship. The question for Reddit is: Where is that line?
Aug 5, 2015 | General
Netflix has changed the way we look at TV shows and movies. Netflix wants to change how we raise and care for our babies.
This week, Netflix introduces perhaps the most radical maternity leave program in United States history. According to a blog written by Netflix Chief Talent Officer Tawni Cranz, new parents can take unlimited maternity leave for the first year after the birth/adoption of their child. That’s right. Whether that be two weeks, or the entire year, that’s the parents’ call. During that year, the new mom and/or dad can come and go as they please, either full or part time. And they’ll get this time off with pay. Cranz believes this will contribute to Netflix’s culture of ‘freedom and responsibility’. That’s the freedom to make your own decision, especially when it comes to personal issues, keeping in mind the responsibilities you still have to the company. ?Netflix also believes this generous maternity leave program will help keep their best employees around and away from competitors. They may be onto something. Yahoo has a very generous maternity leave. So do Facebook and Google. Keep in mind back in the 2000s, Netflix offered free lunch and XBox to keep employees around and working.
Tech companies are leading the way in spoiling their workers rotten. And it’s a beautiful thing. Yes, this maternity leave program can be abused. I’ll give the critics that much. But denying parents the right to be parents is even more abusive. I‘ve heard too many heartbreaking stories of teen and adult children resenting parents because they spent too much time working. I’m glad Netflix and other tech companies are breaking this sad trend. This is a good business move as well as a personal one. In 2015, if a new parent feels they’re being denied family time, there’s nothing stopping them from leaving the company. Is Netflix’s maternity leave program a good thing?
Aug 4, 2015 | General
Samsung Electronics Inc. is an international smartphone maker and tech giant. That being said, no tech company is without problems. Samsung is shelling out enormous cash for such an enormous problem among it’s employees.
At their Seoul, South Korea headquarters, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. spokespersons announced a fund for Samsung employees diagnosed with cancer. This fund is worth 100 billion won, or about $86 million dollars. Proceeds of this fund will be given to employees, and their families, who got sick while working in Samusng plants making chips and other hardware products. Other proceeds will go to fund research and preventative methods, keeping this from ever happening again. According to South Korean activist group Sharps, around 200 people were stricken with cancer while working at a local plant. Of those approximately 200 employees, about 70 have died to their illnesses, leaving their next of kin to relieve their share. While Sharps is aware of this fund, they didn’t comment about it. This fund is now a reality because of negotiations between Samsung, stricken workers, family members of the deceased, and lawyers/experts in corporate responsibility. It’s widely believed radiation and dangerous chemicals in this plant caused sky high lymphoma and leukemia rates among plant employees. This tragedy didn’t start yesterday. This dispute has been going on for about a decade. It wasn’t until Samsung’s public apology last year that?sides started being civil toward one another.
Why did it have to take that long and that much mudslinging to come to an agreement? From a business perspective, I understand you’re afraid of putting your company in a bad light. But lives are on the line! People are dying! Sometimes you have to put business aside and do what’s best for your fellow human beings…the human beings you hired. I’m glad Samsung is finally doing that. I’m glad this issue is finally resolved. But is $86 million enough for these victims and their families?
Aug 3, 2015 | Computer technology
Gone are the days of putting on and listening to cool messages on your bulky answering machine. Gone might be the days of leaving and hearing a human voice over the phone.
That’s because Apple wants your voicemail. They’re already testing Siri not only to take your missed calls, but to transcribe incoming voicemail. The Apple iCloud will send you the texted content of that voicemail. If these tests are successful, this reality can be available for all sometime next year. Let’s just say a caller calls using iCloud, but the recipient is unable to take the call. What would go straight to voicemail will go straight to Siri. The iCloud can already tell people where you are and why you couldn’t pick up the phone (or just don’t want to; admit it). But with this test Siri can turn voicemail into text messages. Apple’s upcoming mobile operating system, iOS 9, is giving Siri a series upgrade. In conjunction of this upgrade, Apple is also focusing on iCloud Voicemail.
They can do all the testing they want to. They can release iCloud Voicemail and promote the heck out of it. But will consumers want it? Some tech insiders predict the younger generations will embrace this. The older generations will not. Without giving too much information about myself, I’m in the middle. And I don’t embrace iCloud Voicemail. Call me old fashioned, but I like to leave humorous messages for callers to hear before they leave a message. I like hearing a human voice when I miss a phone call. I value the human emotion behind the voice that Siri can’t give. You guys are aware that Siri isn’t human, right?
p.s. We at Geek Choice would like to congratulate Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Pracilla Chan on their expectancy of a baby girl. We wish Mrs. Chan a safe pregnancy and delivery.
Aug 3, 2015 | Computer technology
The HoloLens is a virtual reality device headset. This device allows a high-definition world to come to you in your own home. It may be coming to a home near you sooner than later.
According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the first edition of HoloLens should be out within the next year. He talked about it during an interview with BBC. The first HoloLens to debut will be the ‘V1’. Nadella pointed out the V1 will be geared toward developers and businesses. He predicts the HoloLens will be ‘a five year journey’. So I guess he’s telling the average consumer not to get too excited about HoloLens. It could be years before it comes to our doorstep. But I guess one has to start somewhere. And this BBC interview?should give viewers a sneak preview of what to expect form this revolutionary device and when to expect it (Nadella starts talking about HoloLens at 2:48 in the interview). HoloLens is part of the Windows 10 family. Some thought HoloLens would be a gaming product. To which I think Nadella would say ‘Not so fast’. In his past interviews, he’s emphasized this would be multi-focus, and bridge the gap between consumer and enterprise. Even after the consumer version of HoloLens comes out, it’s expected to evolve.
Evolution is critical to all technological products. Imagine if we were still using Commodore 64, CDs, or pagers. I‘m almost certain the longer it takes HoloLens, the bigger the public interest will be. Not only are they giving the hype machine more time, they’re banking developers and businesses will help out with the hype. But my concern with HoloLens is too much usage. Let’s face it; the real world is becoming a dark place. Will people use virtual reality that they’ll escape real reality every chance they get? Can virtual reality be as addictive as any drug?
Aug 1, 2015 | General
Since it’s rise, Uber has made plenty of foes, from cab companies to local governments. But they’ve made friends along the way. They’ve made very rich and powerful friends.
I’m talking about friends like Microsoft. Microsoft is said to invest $100 million in Uber Technologies Inc. A spokesperson confirmed it on Friday. This helps bring the value of Uber Inc to $50 billion. It was just $40 billion earlier this year. Microsoft is just one of the investors who view Uber as the future of car transportation. Back in June 2015, Microsoft sold a piece of Bing’s mapping services to Uber. This deal opened up 100 jobs for Microsoft employees in data analysis for Bing’s mapping. Bing is Microsoft’s search engine. That’s not all. Uber and Microsoft combined Microsoft Cortana’s voice-controlled assistant (sort of like Siri) so it can hail Uber rides according to rider’s schedules. This upcoming investment is proof that the two companies have been working together for years. And they don’t plan on breaking up the relationship now. But Microsoft is being hush-hush. When Microsoft spokesperson Tony Imperati was asked about this alliance, he refused to comment.
This will only add fuel to Uber’s blazing inferno of success. The ride sharing app was founded in 2009. It didn’t make international waves until two or three years ago. And that was often because of the wrong reasons. Uber has been banned from California to Brazil, despite being in 300 cities and 57 countries. From New York to London, cabbies and limo drivers have taken to the streets in protests. Taxi and limo services around the globe have been disrupted. Now with an alliance with one of the most powerful tech companies in the world, Uber has arrived…even more so. I‘ve always believed competition is good for any free economy, and it helps everybody steps up their game. My only concern is that Uber is so loosely regulated they may feel they can get away with too much. Will Microsoft help them get a ‘too big to fail, too big to care’ attitude?
Jul 31, 2015 | internet
There’s a lot of new beginnings in September. It’s the beginning of the school year. It’s the beginning of the TV season. It’s the beginning of Apple TV season.
This September, Apple will launch their new Apple TV system. It was supposed to be revealed in March, but other things, like the iWatch, took first priority over that. It’s given them time to fix tweaks and make a leaner, meaner Apple TV. For instance, the Apple A8 system has been improved by ?touch pad technology, on-board storage, and an operation system in which the consumer can upload Siri voice control. Apple TV is coming a long way from it’s 2012 debut. Remember that set top box? The set top box that hasn’t yet seen improvement, or even refreshing? Apple is depending on a busy fall and even busier upcoming holiday shopping season (I don’t even want to think about that time of year yet! It’s still summer for goodness sake!). They’re hoping the success of the next few months will lead to their own subscription internet-TV service. That’s been a dream of theirs for years. According to an Apple spokesperson, that dream should come true in the next year. Keep in mind Apple TV’s hardware service is different and will be separate from the TV service.
Logically, that makes perfect sense. I know many of you anticipate yet another way to stream TV. But what if Apple TV concentrates of the TV service first and you get the service? After a hard day, you turn it on for a night of entertainment. That night turns to frustration because the hardware is dysfunctional and can’t bring you quality service. What if you invite friends to watch the big game on Apple TV,(disclaimer: I don’t know how sports are going to play into Apple TV’s system) and the hardware won’t let you? Imagine the embarrassment on your face. You’ll hear it for months. So isn’t it better for Apple TV to take care of their hardware issues before working on their TV subscription?
