Jan 14, 2019 | Computer technology
So, one of IT service and tech’s biggest stars is Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO’s submarine helped save a Thailand soccer team in 2018. He also wants to build colonies on Mars and the moon. But he wants to do more. Will Elon Musk build a flying car?
So according to Musk’s own Twitter feed, he’s proposing a flying car be out by 2022. It’s similar to the Delorean. Some of you might remember that flying car from Back to the Future 2. To quote Musk himself, “The new Roadstar will actually do something like this”. Then he shows the GIF of the Delorean.
However, many think this is a joke. Again, according to his Twitter feed, he really wants to build this flying car. In fact, he even gives details. It will use a Space X cold gas system. Then, the system will have high pressure air in a vessel. This vessel will be in the back seats of this car. So sorry, this flying car won’t be a 4, 5 or 6 person venture. It will be two at the most. For now, that’s all much of the IT support community and the public know. But the fact he’s using Space X technology, which literally sends things out of space, should tell us something about this potential flying car.
However, Musk talks about potential new projects often. Some of them happen. But some of them don’t. The Cave 3 submarine happen. And it saved the lives of children. However, he talks about an electric pick-up truck. On the surface, that sounds a lot easier to build than a flying car. Yet, he said it will have big progress in 2018. But we hear nothing else about it. But look at what he did with space exploration and travel just over the last few years. He deserves a Nobel Prize for his work in space. But will Elon Musk Build A flying car?
Jan 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
So classic arcade games are making a comeback. These games range from Pac-Man to Mike Tyson’s Punch Out. But what about the original video game, Pong? Is Pong making a comeback? This is a CES update.
So Universal Space showed off their modern day Pong ant the CES tech conference. Maybe I shouldn’t call it modern day. Because from what I’m seeing, it’s still more 1975 than 2019. I say this because this Pong is a heavy, bulky table-style machine, just like they used in the 1970s and ’80s. But instead of joysticks, they use magnets as controls. Okay, there are a few buttons too.
So here’s how it works. There is a square ball in the center. Then there are paddles the size of rectangles on each side. One player is on one side, and the other is on the opposite side. You control the paddles by controlling the magnets. The game starts off slow but gets faster and faster. You score every time you strike the ball coming your way. Your orange button fires back at your opponent. This game can go on and on. Furthermore, you can use the one player option, playing against the game itself. But this one is more fun with two.
I know this game sounds a lot like the 1970s game, doesn’t it? However, the price sounds all too 2010s. You will pay about $3,000 for this table top game piece. Or, you can buy an arcade style version of Pong for $1,500. For those born after 1990, sorry, but I don’t have time to explain what ‘arcade style’ gaming is. But I do know CES is like the promise land for IT service heads and computer tech addicts alike. So of course we’ll see games like this. Yes, arcade games are coming back. However, nobody wants to let their modern day games go either. And who is going to pay $1,500-$3,000 for this? Is Pong making a comeback?
Jan 10, 2019 | News
So yes, the super rich do have problems. Just ask Amazon CEO, multi-billionaire, and IT support mogul Jeff Bezos. Yesterday, media announced Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie will divorce after 25 years of marriage. Furthermore, this announcement came from the Bezos’ themselves. The Jeff Bezos divorce: What does this mean for us?
So the two met in the early 1990s, at a New York City hedge fund firm. In 1993, they married and moved to Seattle, where they went on to build the Amazon empire from scratch. Eventually, they had four children. However, they had a period of, “…loving exploration and trial separation…”. This is quoting their tweet. Also, according to some media reports, Bezos is seeing? TV icon Lauren Sanchez (who is also married).
MacKenzie played a big role in building Amazon in the early days. Jeff himself said that over and over. But after they got super rich, her role got smaller. Friends say this was her choice because she wanted privacy for herself and the kids. Keep in mind Bezos is worth $137 billion. In addition to owning all things Amazon, he also owns the Washington Post and Blue Origin, a private aerospace company. The Jeff Bezos divorce: What does this mean for us?
So far, Amazon stocks are being pretty chill with this news. Furthermore, Washington state law requires 30 days of ‘cooling off’ before divorce proceedings. After that, it could mean MacKenzie could get almost $70 billion. It could also means she could get some control of Amazon and Bezos’ other companies. It’s way too early to speculate anything. However, we can look at other divorces in IT support’s billionaire’s row. For example, Google and Oracle was left pretty much unchanged after their co-founders went through a divorce. I just hope Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos can keep the divorce civil, friendly, fair,and? clean. They should keep in mind they have over 566,000 employees to think about, That’s 566,000 jobs, careers, livelihoods and families in America and around the world. Obviously, they have their kids to think about as well. How will this turn out? Should this even be tech news?
Jan 9, 2019 | Smartphone
So the CES Conference in Las Vegas is in full swing now. The Consumer Technology Association sponsors it. Many people are looking to many things, but I think one device will stir things up. It’s a cell phone that folds. The folding smartphone is here.
So a Chinese IT service company they call Royale took the CES stage. They revealed their FlexPai. Not only did they show it off, but they let the tech media and the public play with it for a while. However, we don’t know whether to call it a phone or tablet. That’s because it’s 7.8 inches.
But you can fold the AMOLED display in half, literally. Well, there is a small gap between the two halves. When you do fold the phone in half, it’s smaller than the average smartphone (about 3.9 inches). Yes, it does work when you do fold it. All your stuff will move to one side of the phone, apps, emails, texts, and all. It runs on Android (ha ha, Apple!) software, and has all the features you should expect from an expensive smartphone/tablet. It better. Because FlexPai’s Royale will run you an average $1,300 in the US. There are other phone makers trying to build the smartphone, like Samsung.
However, FlexPai beat them to it. Yes, the folding smartphone is here. Here comes the real question: Will it sell? Royale seems to be banking on it. Because later in this conference, they plan to show a video displaying their folding smartphone. There’s also a debate whether to go on their own or team up with others in the IT support world. If they were smart, then they would team up with other tech corporations. Most of today’s tech is controlled by three or four major tech corporations: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft. In a world like that, you can’t afford to go at it alone. It would be foolish for Royale to do so. But the question is: Who would join them on their folding smartphone quest?
Jan 8, 2019 | Computer technology
So Neofect is a company that helps people going through physical rehab. They come out with products, many of them tech based, that helps people dealing with crippling injuries and illnesses. But one product could be a huge game changer for many. Neofect releases IT support glove.
So they call the name of this glove NeoMano. It’s a smart device that people can wear on their hand just like a glove. It helps give people dealing with paralysis in their hands and arms feeling in their arms again. This includes people fighting brain and muscular diseases like ALS and MS. It also helps people recovering from strokes and car accidents, among other health crises. Some of the things it helps patients do include feeding themselves and turning on lights and appliances.
So how does it work? Imagine a pulley that depends on AAA batteries. Then imagine that pulley controlling the glove. Yes, the glove runs on this pulley that is run on a AAA battery. I’m guessing they’re not going to include the battery, but you can get one at any store. However, it does come with a Bluetooth controller. This patient holds the controller with the other hand just for that purpose. They say the NeoMano will be out this June. They also say it will cost patients around $2,000.
But it’s already getting great support. They showed it off at the CES last year and it got rave reviews. It also raised more venture capital than Neofect planned for. Neofect releases IT support glove, and it sounds like it’s in the right direction, except for the price. Yes, I know Neofect has to cover their costs and make a profit. However, I feel most people who really needs NeoMano will probably not be able to afford it out of pocket. So I’m hoping Neofect can negotiate with doctors and insurance companies. Together, they can come up with a way to get this in the hands of the patients that really need it. If they can do this, then everyone can come out winners: Neofect, the health care providers, and the patients. Is that too much to ask?
Jan 7, 2019 | Computer technology, internet
So for years, IT service Petcube allowed owners to see their pets while the owners are away. In fact, they can even play with toys through this piece of IT support. But now, they came out with two devices to take it further. Petcube enhances the Pet/Owner relationship.
So now, Petcube comes out with two new items. They are Petcube Bites 2 and Petcube Play 2. They both offer Alexa voice commands, a 180 degree camera, and better sound. Furthermore, they include a 4-microphone piece and can support up to 5GHz as well. Oh, and Alexa will work alone with these two devices. There will be no more adding other voice technologies just to get Alexa to work with Petcube. Because they already did that for you. That’s a huge relief for just about anybody.
But wait…there’s more. These new Petcube devices can play music, check weather, turn on lights and other appliances, even give you a news reports. It can also do other things I know I’m leaving out. Yes, these devices use AI tech. They use it to study barks and other pet sounds to see if the pet is distressed. It also tries to predict the pet’s behavior before the pet even behaves. They come in Matte Silver and Carbon Black. The Petcube Bite 2 will cost you around $250. The Petcube Play 2 will cost you around $200. As of right now, you will only find them on Petcube.com. However, if sales are that good, I can see them moving them to retail stores. Or at least I hope so.
So this is how Petcube enhances the pet/owner relationship. I think it’s great that they play music. Studies show that pets react to music almost as good as humans do. That’s a huge plus. The 180 degree camera is also a huge plus. And the price is right. But I’m not a fan of how AI wants to predict the pets’ behavior. What if they’re wrong? Are these new Petcube devices good investments?
Jan 4, 2019 | News
So 2018 was a so-so year for Apple. But 2019 seems to be off to a catastrophic start for the once trillion dollar company. I say this because Apple’s stocks plummeted yesterday.
Not only did their stocks tank, but they sent the whole Dow Jones stock market tanking. Their stocks went from $157 to $142 a share yesterday. But the whole Dow Jones lost over 660 points, mostly because of Apple. In one day, Apple investors lost around $75 billion. Apple reported they expect to miss earnings by billions of dollars yesterday. So naturally, investors don’t like that news. But why do they expect this kind of loss?
Because Apple sales in China are collapsing. Economists say there are several reasons for this. They include a weakening Chinese economy, and a nationalist movement going on in China. This movement has a lot of people abandoning Apple and other American companies. Also, they’re buying more local, Chinese products. This includes smartphones. There are more China based smartphone companies as well, so they’re more local businesses their citizens can choose from. New iPhone sales also declined in nations like Brazil, India, Russia, even here in the US. All of these nations are critical for Apple’s success in sales.
As of today, January 4, 2019, Apple stocks are making a comeback. But it’s still early. That could change. Apple’s stocks plummeted yesterday, but these problems go way longer. In fact, Apple stocks dwindled over 35% in just the last 100 days. Other stocks haven’t been doing so well, either. The stock market had their worst December since the Great Depression era. Then you have competition from other markets. Many of our computer repair customers love Apple. However, many other computer repair customers love to hate Apple. There is no middle ground there. Does Apple need to work on their consumer relations, around the world, to get people back in their good graces?
Jan 3, 2019 | Computer technology
So Elon Musk warns about the dangers of AI (artificial intelligence). Also, during the last year of his life, Stephen Hawking said it could end humanity. Could they be right? I ask this because AI tricks their own creator.
So it starts with AI researchers from Google and Stanford. They created this AI to take aerial pictures, then turn them into street maps, then back to the original image. However, this AI had other plans. Because it hid the info it needs in a high-frequency signal. The humans’ goal is to improve the Google Map system through AI. At first, it went well. In fact, it went a little too well.
So well that the AI captured details that weren’t there before. Humans intended for the AI to match the map with correct features. But this piece of AI did was show how close the aerial map was to the original. It secretly encoded these features on it’s own, as in without any human help. In fact, it can now encode any street map into any aerial map and vice versa. So you can imagine the creator’s astonishment when they discovered this. AI tricks their own creator, then, beat them at their own tasks.
Remember when we in IT support and IT service told the computers what to do? Well, those days are dying now. Yes, AI has a mind of it’s own, and this proves it. In the last few years, many tech expects told it it’s coming to this. Some of you may say, “Calm down, Damien! It’s just maps!”. This time, it is just maps. However, next time, it could be your money and banking information. Or it could be our national security AI plays with. How about if it’s our natural resources or infrastructure? Maybe it could be our military or defense AI jokes around with. It won’t be so cute or funny then, will it?
Jan 2, 2019 | News
So how do terrorist groups like ISIS (Islamic State) get so big? One tactic they use is propaganda through social media. So it sounds like they’re up to their old tricks again. ISIS uses dormant Twitter accounts.
In recent weeks, IT support leaders learn groups like ISIS uses dormant Twitter accounts for recruiting and other purposes. But they’re more subtle with it now. For instance, they’ll tweet in Arabic sharing propaganda from other accounts. Twitter’s security leaders deleted most accounts that are doing this, but some still exists. But how are they able to do this in the first place?
What these hackers are exploiting Twitter’s lack of email confirmation, so they can’t be traced. Therefore, they can use these, create new emails, and create new ones to re-register the Twitter account. I said many of these tweets are subtle, but not all of them. In fact, some of these tweets praised terror and violence. There’s one Twitter video that shows ISIS fighters showing off their weapons. Then there is one that praises violence and other attacks. Other tweets from ISIS talk about killing Christians and urge fighters to bomb innocent people with their cars. These aren’t the only tweets glorifying terror.
So why is this a big deal? Because there are people who are very venerable to this type of propaganda. There are people who feel at the end of their rope and that nobody loves them. There are those feeling they have nowhere to turn. Terror groups like ISIS prey on these kinds of situations. Now we find out they’re using dormant Twitter accounts to do just that. However, I do credit Twitter for staying on this, and suspending these accounts that are promoting this madness. But as we can see, more needs to done. But that can we do?
Dec 31, 2018 | General
So we’re coming to the end of 2018. Things are not boring in the tech and IT service world. So I want to look back at some of 2018 in tech: The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else.
We can’t talk about 2018 in tech without talking about AI (artificial intelligence) and robotics. Let’s look at the good side of AI in 2018. It led to science and medical discoveries. It also led to educational tools and creation. Furthermore, AI helped us explore the moon, planets and other things in space. However, we all learned about AI’s dark side in 2018. Some governments, like China’s are using it to impose their will. Privacy advocates worry it will spy on us 24/7 and infringe on all our rights. Then there is the fear AI will cost, many, many jobs. I’m concerned that major corporations, governments, and even consumers are embracing AI before really thinking about the consequences. Am I right, or is this just paranoia?
Then there is the smartphone race, particularly between Apple and Samsung?In 2018, Apple became the first American company to be worth over one trillion dollars.? They came out with the IPhone XR, XS, and SX Max. While sales did okay, they were still disappointing by Apple’s standards. So let’s look at Samsung. They overcame a lot this year, like exploding phones?and corruption scandals. For example, their Galaxy Note 9 phone exceeded all exceptions. Not only did they run with Apple, but beat them in some instances. In fact, in Q3 2018, Samsung made record profits. They have many tricks up their sleeve for 2019. Will Samsung overthrow Apple in 2019 (I sure hope so!)?
Then there are the world’s two biggest companies: Amazon and Google. Amazon became the second company to be worth a trillion dollars. It established cashier-free stores; it’s also the first company to guarantee a $15 minimum wage. But the real highlight of the year is establishing their second headquarters. They chose three places: Queens in New York City, Arlington, Virginia in Metro DC, and Nashville, Tennessee. Google celebrated their 20th anniversary with mixed results. Yes, they gave us Google Hub and came out with an awesome auto answering service. However, many criticized them (myself included) of enabling China’s censorship ambitions. Then there were sexual misconduct scandals and the $5 billion fine by the European Union. How will Google overcome these issues in 2019?
I can go on and on about 2018. For example, 2018 in tech is a time that I’m sure Space X wants to remember. However, 2018 in tech is a time I’m sure Facebook wants to forget. But I want to hear from you. What does 2018 in tech mean to you?
