Oct 29, 2018 | Computer technology
So, IBM is on hard times. In my lifetime, I didn’t think I would say that. But I guess the 21st century IT support big boys, like Apple, Google and Amazon, are becoming too much. However, they just bought software firm Red Hat. Will the Red Hat save IBM?
So IBM bought out this cloud computing company of over $34 billion. This is the kind of tech they’re banking on now. However, for years now, they banked on Watson. Watson is, or should I say was, their new artificial intelligence system. But that’s not happening now. In fact, Watson is now more of an asset than liability.
Now, IBM expects to return to the software and business services that made them IBM in the first place. Investors got tired of watching Watson hemorrhage money and profits. But that’s only the beginning. Because Watson gave? bad health advice to doctors fighting serious diseases, like cancer. This is according to medical journal Stat. However, IBM looked at cloud computing for years. With Red Hat, they might finally have the edge. The IBM executives hope so. In fact, one said it will make number one in cloud computing. Imagine what this will do for Red Hat, too. I’m already reading reports of their stocks going through the roof.
As for Watson, we’ll always have the memories. Remember when Watson beat the two greatest Jeopardy players of all-time? Well, that was back in 2011. Think about how much things can change in seven years, especially in the IT service world. Also, think about Watson giving doctors bad medical information. The doctors pass that on to their patients. What kind of ramifications could that spread? Then think of how other companies took over the AI market ever since. We can say the same thing for cloud computing. However, they have the Red Hat now.? But will the Red Hat save IBM?
Oct 26, 2018 | Smartphone
So today, Apple releases it’s new iPhone XR to Apple stores and retailers around the world. It’s on the low end of Apple’s new phones coming out this year. In fact, you can get one for under $800. But Bloomberg Magazine just released a bombshell by rival Samsung, on this very day. Did Samsung ruin Apple’s big day?
First of all, Samsung, through Bloomberg Magazine, gave many a detail about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10. But that’s just the beginning. They teased about the revolutionary folding smartphone. The call the secret device Winner. Furthermore, Samsung worked on this project for years. The work still continues this day because they don’t know whether to make this horizontal or vertical. From pictures I saw, the landscape nature portrait looked great. However, many on the designer team don’t like it. Here is what we know. You can fold the device. Furthermore, when you do, the screen will be four inches. The display will open like a snap. But there are still concerns. Just make sure your screen doesn’t crack. Because when it does, it will crack like paper.
Keep in mind Samsung tested this ‘Winner’ over 200,000 times, by closing it that many times. They don’t expect the phone to be released until the Spring of 2019. That’s all I know for now, because, like I said, much of this project is under wraps. But back to this question: Did Samsung ruin Apple’s big day? They did announce their upcoming products on their XR release day. I doubt that was coincidence. That was by design.? It’s a typical one in the IT service/smartphone wars. I also read stories of how XR sales are going right now. They’re not good. You don’t see long lines at Apple stores for this XR. That may mean little to us computer repair folks, but to Apple, that’s pretty concerning. Did Samsung ruin Apple’s big day, or is that happening without Samsung’s announcement?
Oct 25, 2018 | Security
So two major concerns are security and online privacy. This is true in the computer repair industry. Furthermore, you know this is true in the government. But yet, they can spy on the President. Do we have any hope?
So according to some tech insiders, President Trump has 3 iPhones. Well, let’s give him credit for even doing that. Because before 2016, he had a Samsung, which had Android IT support service. Over the years, we all know Android is more venerable to hackers and attacks than Apple. But if you have an iPhone, know that you’re at risk too. I digress. But even in the White House, which should be the most secure place in America, Signaling System No. 7 (SS7).
This system makes it easy for hackers to spy on phone calls and text messages. In fact, experts say SS7 is so messed up that hackers even use the verify codes, break into them, and drain bank accounts and get other info. Guess what system the White house uses right now? You guessed it, the SS7. Do you see what a huge problem this could be? However, even this is a step up from what President Obama got during his second term. The phone they gave him didn’t even have a camera, and the Presidential Records Act didn’t even let him text.
So these three iPhones is a step up. But they need to do more. Keep in mind Russia and China can easily intercept the system and get all kinds of information from SS7. This include enough info to crash the economy, shut down electricity/tech infrastructure, even start wars. They could even learn nuclear capabilities. I know that sounds scary, but that’s what a mediocre security system can lead to, especially in the White House. They can spy on the President. Do we have any hope?
Oct 24, 2018 | General
So in Brussels, Belgium, IT service and IT support’s best and brightest gathered. Apple CEO Tim Cook was the main event speaker. But he wasn’t promoting the latest iPhone this time. Instead, he sounded an alarm about tech’s future. It was Tim Cook vs data industrial complex.
So I should say, there is no official ‘data industrial complex’ in Brussels, Europe, or anywhere else. However, Cook warned against how data and our own info can be used against us. Also, he said ‘they’ are turning our own data and information against us with ‘military efficiency’. Cook didn’t name names, but he didn’t mince words either.
One area that really worries cook is AI, or artificial intelligence. Cook worries that if this trend keeps up, tech companies will know us better than we know ourselves. Cook admitted that AI’s purpose is, and still can be, good. But that’s not what is happening. This AI is collecting huge personal profiles at a rapid pace. And it’s getting more out of control daily. The threat of privacy particularly concerns Cook. He told the Brussels crowd that if AI is going to be any good, then it has to respect human privacy and human rights. He called on all nations around the world to do this.
Cook also stated he supports federal privacy laws in the United States. Then he called on other nations to push for tech privacy laws. This is Tim Cook vs data industrial complex. He’s not the only one. Late in his life, Stephen Hawkins warned against AI. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk goes as far as to build colonies on Mars and the moon because he feels AI is that much of a threat. Now Tim Cook offers his concern about this not just trend, but new way of life. If our tech billionaires and leaders are this concerned, then shouldn’t we be as well?
Oct 23, 2018 | Computer technology
So times are a changing. When I was a kid, if you bought a Nintendo Game Boy to school, they took it away from you. Then there was the time my mom grounded me because she thought my Nintendo playing affected my grades. But now, Nintendo comes to elementary schools.
So I think I should explain. These aren’t Game Boys or consoles, or Wii’s, but they’re Labo Kits. They make these IT support education sets out of cardboard. Here, you can make all kind of things. However, that’s the idea: to get kid’s creative and tech mind’s flowing. And these ideas are flowing right into the classroom.
But not all classrooms. In fact, only certain elementary schools in New York City will get these Labo Kits. Nintendo will ship these kits to around 2,000 kids between grades 3-5. We can thank the Institute of Play for this. That’s a NYC non-profit organization the encourages education through play. So it makes sense for them to start this experiment in the New York City area. And keep in mind right now, that’s all this is. Teachers will also play along. To do so, they’ll get a Nintendo Labo Teacher Guide. This will also have sample lessons for the kids. This is all part of what they call the STEAM courses.
So NYC will be the base. But Nintendo’s plan is to extend this system to 100 schools in the US. They plan to do this by March 2019. Nintendo will give the kits and switches to these schools. This website will explain more about Labo Kits more than I can. But let’s face it, IT service is the future. And this upcoming generation needs be equipped for what’s ahead. These kits help do that. That’s how Nintendo comes to elementary schools. Did you ever think you would see a day when Nintendo comes to elementary schools?
Oct 22, 2018 | Smartphone
So are you tired of your old smartphone? Do you have a new one and don’t have any need for the old one? Then Maybe Ebay can help. Ebay’s instant selling: Sell your old smartphone.
So this is a new system Ebay created. They call it Instant Selling. However, there is good news and bad news in this. The good news is this will only take a few minutes, and Ebay does most of the work for you. However, the bad news is you don’t get money back. Instead, you get an Ebay voucher. That’s great if you’re an avid Ebay shopper. But what if you’re just a once-in-a-while Ebay user? Or what if this is your first time on Ebay, and an Ebay voucher doesn’t interest you at all?
So here is the first step: Click on this Ebay?page.?Then, tell them what brand and model your phone is. They’ll ask you about the condition of the phone because the better shape it’s in, the more money, I meant, the bigger Ebay voucher you’ll get. It also helps if you have the original box it came in. You’ll get a table of prices and worth. Then, you’ll get the voucher when you agree to your specific quote. They’ll give you a label to print. You follow instructions on where and how to ship your old phone. Then all you do is enjoy your Ebay voucher.
From what I’m seeing, they’re only doing this for newer smartphone brands, like Galaxy S7 or IPhone 6 and newer. Also, you need to be under contract with AT&T or Verizon. Sorry, Sprint and T-Mobile customers. Many in the IT support and computer repair community have those brands. Ebay does need new ideas, especially if they’re going to compete with Amazon. What do you think of Ebay’s Instant Selling?
Oct 19, 2018 | General
So at Cornell University, an Ivy League university, they’re conducting an IT support and IT support experiment. It involves blue cheese and virtual reality. But what do these two things have in common? They ask the questions. Can VR help your food taste better?
First, they gave 50 people VR headsets. Then, they gave them pieces of blue cheese. They ate the cheese in a typical booth first. Then they put the VR glasses. It was there where they sat on a park bench surrounded by green grass. There was also a cow barn and a farm setting, but no cows. Then they ate the blue cheese in this fantasy setting. According to their research, the cheese tasted better on a fantasy farm than in a real booth.
One of the researchers wanted to prove this point: It’s not just about what we eat and the taste of it. He talks about the input we get from our senses: or eyes and ears. Other researchers also say this even brings about memories for our surroundings. For instance, those who say the same cheese tasted better in the farm. I wonder how many grew up on the farm, or who ate cheese on the farm. Or I wonder how many ate cheese in a rural or green grass setting.
So maybe I’m titling this blog wrong: Can VR help your food taste better? Because the researchers say this isn’t about VR making your food taste better. However, this can made VR some sort of a taste bed experiment. Here’s an example. In the future, you could be on a bus, train, plane , or any other crowded place. Then they break out with the VR goggles of a peaceful, rural place, or any other pleasant surroundings. They’re banking that the pleasantries of VR will make the food taste better no matter what earthly chaos they’re in. Will corporations and/or consumers buy this?
Oct 17, 2018 | scam, Smartphone
So do you own an iPhone? Did you ever pay hundred of dollars for an app? Also, here’s another question: Do you have to pay $5 a week for an app? It may not seem like much, but it adds up. That’s why Apple cracks down on iPhone scammers.
But paying for Apps, especially that much, seem to be going out of style. However, there are still complaints from customers and computer repair experts. They talk about ‘dark patterns’. That means tricking users into buying and using apps and sections of apps they really don’t need. They they can get you to pay for things you don’t intend to pay for.
One app is…or should I say…was Scanner App. Yes, it worked and did what it was supposed to do. However, it costs $4 a week. That adds up to around $20 a month and $220 a year. Now, I say was because the Scanner App no longer exists. That’s because Apple cracks down on iPhone scammers. Others who do this same thing are going. The ironic thing: Apple is the one enabled it. Back in late 2016, they let paying Apps charge subscribers fees, instead of paying one lump sum. When you think of it, people are happier to pay for that.
However, Apple isn’t the only one exposing this. Last year, publications like Mashable and Forbes, called out apps that charge as much as $99 a week. Times are changing. As of right now, only 15% of all apps are the ones you have to pay for. As for me, I only get the free apps. So do many customers from our computer service shop. When I see an app in which I have to pay a fee, then red flags go up. Especially, when they pay a certain amount a week. What do you think of paid apps and do you think the crack down is a good thing?
Oct 16, 2018 | News
So when most people think of Microsoft, they think of Bill and Melinda Gates, right? However, we forget that Gates had a lot of help in founding this IT support giant. His co-founder, Paul Allen, was there, literally from day one. R.I.P. Paul Allen: Microsoft co-founder and tech innovator.
Paul Allen died yesterday from lymphoma. He was 65 years old. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975. But that’s not all. He also created the two button mouse. Furthermore, Allen created other Microsoft products and continued to push for higher standards in tech world. In fact, many say if there were no Paul Allen, then there would be no computing as we know it. In 1983, he left Microsoft, but this was just the beginning of his IT service career.
Paul Allen went on to found Vulcan. With Vulcan, he invested into many companies and other places that deals with everything from enhancing culture to fighting climate change. Soon, Allen became one of the greatest philanthropists in Seattle’s history. His own website says his giving surpassed $2 billion. For example, in 2003, he founded the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Here, he funded brain studies and combated brain illnesses, like concussions.? He also built homes for homeless and low-income citizens that ares.
Allen was a huge sports leader. He owned the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazers. Even there, he was known for using technology to improve players’ lives on and off the field. Tributes pour in from all over the Silicon Valley community. Tim Cook tweeted “…our world has lost a force for good.”. Jeff Bezos fondly remembered his love for inventions. Then, his friend Bill Gates remembered him as a man who loved technology, life, and everyone around him. I’m not only impressed by his heart and tech genius, but by Allen’s humility and his willingness to help anybody in need. These are things we can use not only in the tech world, but in the whole world. R.I.P. Paul Allen. Thank you for all you did for us.
Oct 15, 2018 | Computer technology, News
So last week, Hurricane Micheal devastated the Florida Panhandle. The pictures are hard to watch. Not only was this the strongest October hurricane of all time, but was one of the strongest storms of any time. However, many credit technology for helping out and even saving lives. Let’s look at Hurricane Michael and technology.
So many of people, like meteorologists, credit IT support and technology for saving lives. They credit radar and computer models for watching the storm’s rapid intensity. For example, on Sunday the 7th, it was just a tropical storm. But by the time it hit Wednesday the 10th, it was almost a category 5 storm.
They also thank the EOC (emergency operations center) for putting warnings out. They sent evacuation warnings to smartphones and other devices all over the land. Also, they kept using this to get the warning out. As a result, many people fled. In Franklin County, Florida, over 12,000 people left because of the warnings. Of the 1,000 people of Mexico Beach, FL, over 700 left. Cell phone companies and ISP providers set up hot spots all over the areas so people can contact missing relatives, friends and neighbors. They are sending hundreds more to help re-connect people with cell phone service. Who is doing the sending? It’s major phone companies like AT&T and Verizon.
I know on my Facebook page, people all over the hit areas mark themselves safe. People also talk about if they’re out of power. In some ways, social media gives regular people a journalist’s voice they didn’t have some 15 or 20 years ago. Oh, and like other disasters, online giving will pay a huge role in the clean up and recovery efforts. Just be careful about who you give to and accept help from. Those are just some of the ways IT service and technology are helping people whether the storm. How else do Hurricane Michael and technology go together, I mean in technology helping people?
