Sep 27, 2018 | General
So more people are dependent on technology and IT support than ever before. People are also trying to eat healthier than ever before. But let’s put the two together. Can technology help you eat better?
I ask because their is a company they call Farmer’s Fridge. One of it’s leaders is Eric Schmidt, a former Google CEO. Farmer’s Fridge is making vending machines. And this machine will serve ready-to-eat healthy meals and snacks, like salads, granola bars, and healthy sandwiches. Also, keep in mind they make fresh meals and food for these vending machines daily. All you do is put dollars in the machine. Then, the food comes out like a drinking vending machine. Each trip will run you $5-8, depending on what you want.
So how is it working? Well, according to the reports I’m getting, there is only 5% food waste, and this is after purchase. That says something. Their headquarters are in Chicago. So far, there are around 200 machines in the Greater Chicago and Milwaukee areas. And they are everywhere, from airports to hospitals to stores. In fact, these meals are in such demand that they have to restock the machines five days a week. Revenue is good for Farmer’s Fridge. This is also creating jobs. Someone has to harvest and prepare the food. Then someone has to restock the machines. By late 2019, Farmer’s Fridge expects to go from 130 to 200 employees.
They also plan to expand. I don’t know to what cities, but I think they will do very well in Boston near our computer service shop. In fact, they would do well just about anywhere. I grew up in the eastern part of North Carolina. And even there, where pork used to be king, many people are going vegetarian and vegan. Of course, there is a huge health movement here in Boston; we’re one of the healthiest cities in the country. What I’m saying is this is a trend that can really catch on. Can technology help you eat better?
Sep 26, 2018 | Computer technology, Smartphone
So it goes without saying. Kids today are a lot smarter than we were some 30 years ago. We can thank computer repair and technology for that. But sometimes it feels like they’re too smart for their own good. Kids infiltrate Apple’s screen control system.
Apple’s screen control system’s goal is to limit how much time kids and teens have on Apple devices. But kids are finding new ways to get around that, and/or hack the system all together. The youngest one to do this is only seven? years old! All he did was uninstall apps, then reinstall them again. Another kid, 13, changed dates and times on his device. That way, he manipulated how much downtime his parents set for him.
This new ‘screen time’ feature came out with iOS 12, because it came out just a few weeks ago. However, the 7-year-old confessed he went to the App store, downloads a formally installed game through the cloud. It works. Meanwhile, the 13-year-old changed the old time to unlimited time. All he did was go to settings and change date and time. This even impressed the parents themselves. This is already getting around like wildfire. Somebody posted about this on Reddit. I’m not sure if it was the parents, kids or who started the conversation. But it’s already getting over 500 comments and have no signs of slowing down.
I saw that this system is only a few weeks ago. So it sounds like Apple has some kinks to iron out. But what else do I often say? Hackers are getting smarter and smarter. So are kids getting smarter with technology. Let’s look at the 13-year-old. He was born between 2004-05. This means he can’t ever remember a time before smartphones and social media. The 7-year-old obviously can’t. So when they’re and raised into this world, then of course they’re going to know more about hacking then we ever did. I myself was amazed when a 13-year-old kid came into our computer service shop. Not only did he diagnose his own issue, but virtually fixed it, too, with a little bit of our help, of course. What do think of this next generation of tech whiz kids?
Sep 25, 2018 | Smartphone
So a couple of weeks ago, Apple introduced a new group of iPhones. The two biggest ones was the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XS. Though it’s more expensive, iPhone XS Max wins sell race. But why?
So in polls and pre-sales, the iPhone XS Max seems to be somewhat more popular than the iPhone XS. In fact, it seems to be way more popular. One MacRumors blogger says The Max phones are selling 3 to 1, maybe even 4 to 1, what the XS regulars are selling. The gold and space gray are the most popular colors. The 256GB is the most popular size.
But did you get a 512GB or planning to get one? Well, they’re in short supply because of NAND Flash. And only Samsung can ship that, well, with accuracy. Also, the Max is especially popular in Asia. They expect the XS Max only to increase by the year’s end because they expect Asia to eat these iPhones up. This is just in time for the holiday season. Keep in mind the iPhone XS Max cost $1,099. This makes it the most expensive iPhone of all-time. The iPhone XS only cost $999. However, the iPhone XS Max wins sell race. But why?
Many say it’s because of the 6.5 inch OLED screen. The XS regular gives you only a 5.8 screen. That may not sound like much, but most iPhone users will tell you that means a huge difference. Those who use iPhones in our computer service shop will tell you that. However, there may less of an IT service reason and or of economic reason. According to many statistics, the US economy is doing better than it has in a long time. Furthermore, economies in China, India and Israel are booming. Okay, China may be hit because of the tariffs. What this means is more disposable income. So when people have more, they tend to want to buy up. Is that what is happening?
Sep 24, 2018 | Computer technology
So Microsoft is about to have their Ignite conference in Orlando. But the star of the show wasn’t Steve Ballmer or Bill Gates. It was AI (artificial intelligence) technology. This is the new Microsoft Office: The New Microsoft Office.
In fact, most of their new features have AI’s backing. The biggest feature is Ideas. These are tools within Excel and Power Point, and their goal is to save time, then energy. They also say Ideas can choose your layout for your specific presentation for you. Furthermore, Ideas can pick your charts for you. These changes are also coming for Power Point Online in the near future.
But that’s not all. Excel is getting new features, all based on AI. These features include turning raw data into easy data you can easy put into spreadsheets. It also comes with image recognition. With this, you can turn data pictures into Exel files. One thing I like about the new Microsoft Office is they make the functions easy and it looks organized. Then there is Microsoft Search. It’s a search network that will soon debut on Bing and Office.com. Who knows? Maybe they’ll come to other sites as the future progresses. This is the new AI Microsoft Office.
For more than a quarter century, Microsoft led the IT service world. And we all know that in the last few years, the AI/robotic technology is the wave of the IT support world. This trend has no end in sight. And it looks like Microsoft is following the trend. This doesn’t surprise me, except for that it took this long. We hear how others companies, tech or not (especially restaurants and fast-food industries) embrace AI. Maybe Microsoft planned this for years and told nobody. Or maybe they finally gave in to the AI craze. Will it work out for them?
Sep 20, 2018 | internet, News
So we hear about how cryptocurrency will be the savior of the future economy. It could be. However, hackers must know it as well. Because they hacked cryptocurrency…again.
So this time, Zaif is the victim. Zaif is a Japanese digital exchange company. They are part of the family of Tech Bureau Corp. Well, earlier this week, hackers stole over $60 million worth of Bitcoin from them. The hackers did the job on Friday September 14. But it wasn’t until the 17th when they found server problems. Then they discovered the cyber crime and reported it, to the media as well as the authorities. Also, they hacked two other of their cryptocurrencies.
Somehow, the hackers broke into their ‘online wallet’. Before they could steal anything else, they shut the system down. We don’t know when they’ll put it back up, in fact, it may be up again now. There’s a reason why I say they hacked cryptocurrency…again. Because last year, another company in Tokyo lost a whopping $547 million worth of cyrptocurrency. They believe this was a cyber theft. The name of this company is Coincheck. You may have heard of them. In fact, they hit Manacoin as well. They also lost millions on cryptocurrency.
So why are hackers hitting Japan so often and for so much? Because Japan is a leader in the cryptocurrency market game. It’s been that way since 2012. In fact, they pride themselves on IT support digital licences to regulate these markets and protect consumers from incidents like this. But even with these extra layers of protection, they still get hacked. Yes, I, along with many in computer repair believe this will be a powerful tool in future world economics. But it’s obvious they have a long, long way to go. This currency is a good way to go and hackers know it. What can be done to keep Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies safe?
Sep 19, 2018 | News
So by now, we all have seen the footage of Hurricane Florence’s devastation. The damage is especially bad in the Carolina’s. But IT support companies are stepping up to the plate. Google donates to Hurricane Florence Victims.
For some users, they will see a banner on top of their Gmail account. Also, you may see a donation link on the bottom of your Google home page. This isn’t their first time. Because last year, in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, they matched donations. They raised tens of millions of dollars on their pages from generous, kind-hearted people like you. Then they matched that. These donations went on to help a lot of people last year. And I am confident it will do so this year.
But that’s not all. Google is partnering with other non-profits, like Network for God and American Red Cross. They choose these because they have a great track record everywhere, especially in the region. Google isn’t the only IT support company helping out. Amazon is sending trucks full of food and trucks to flood zones. For almost a week now, Comcast offers Wi-Fi hotspots to customers in the hardest hit area, while Apple donated a million dollars. Airbnb put up victims for free. This is true for evacuees and those whose homes were either harmed or destroyed.
I know mega tech companies get a bad rep. And in some cases, it’s rightfully so. But not in this case. I applaud these companies for helping out people in time of need. Not only that, but there are other Silicon Valley individuals that are helping out. They’re too many to name, it’s the right thing to do. There are many ways you can help and many ways the tech industry is helping out. Google donates to hurricane Florence victims. So what are you doing?
Sep 18, 2018 | News
So everyone knows about Elon Musk and his Space X program. It’s one of the more controversial things going on in IT support today. But now, they stepped it up. Space X plans to take civilian to the moon.
Yusaku Maezawa, a billionaire from Japan, will be the first civilian man to go in space. Also, he’ll riding in the Space X’s Big Falcon Rocket. He could fly as early as 2023. This would be a tremendous feat, if Musk and Maezawa can pull it off. Because only 24 people have even been to the moon since 1972. And no non-NASA person has ever been to the moon.
As you can imagine, Zaezawa is very excited. In fact, he says going to the moon is his lifelong dream. However, this isn’t going to be a cheap flight. This project will cost $5 billion…with a B! They won’t share how much Maezawa and Musk will share. They’re still building the BFR (Big Falcon Rocket). They hope to complete building it sometime in 2020. But here is what is interesting. They say this BFR can hold at least 100 people. Maezawa says he wants to take seven or eight different artist with him. So if they go with him, then how much are they going to put up?
This is how Space X plans to take civilian to the moon. But? you know, I know, and everyone in computer repair know it won’t stop at this. Because Musk says he wants to build colonies on the moon and on Mars. He fears that great evils are overtaking this world, like climate change, nuclear war and AI/robot technology. From what I’m seeing on the news, and with my own two eyes, he might be right. I give Maezawa tons of credit for his bravery and willingness to be the first. Somebody has to. Would you fly to the moon as a civilian?
Sep 17, 2018 | General
So Amazon has a new store. But I’m not talking about a new Whole Foods. I’m talking about an Amazon Go store, where there are no cashiers. This is Amazon Go Store opens in Chicago.
But wait? Did you say a store without cashiers? That sounds almost as silly as cars without drivers , or restaurants without waiters (see where I’m going?). However yes, this store has no cashiers and no check-out lines. It opened in the heart of downtown Chicago, just a few blocks from sites like Millennium Park and Navy Pier. It’s only the fourth Amazon Go store to open up, but here what makes this one special. It’s the first Go store to open up outside of Seattle, Amazon’s headquarter city.
However, this won’t be your typical ‘milk, eggs, bread, sugar’ grocery store. This Amazon Go store will sale mostly ready to eat, high end meals. This includes salads, deli-style sandwiches, hot foods, and high end beverages. But wait. If they’re no cashiers and check out stations, then how will we pay? Does this mean we can just take everything for free? Well, not exactly. Camera will follow your every move and your every purchase. After you walk out, Amazon will bill you. So no cash, debit/credit cards, checks, or anything else will be needed.
The only thing about this Amazon Go store opens in Chicago. This particular store will close on weekends. The others don’t. Plus, we may see other Amazon Go stores coming out. They got big plans for San Francisco and New York City. Who knows? They could be coming to Boston, near our computer service shop. But these stores are coming. How fast they’re coming, well, that depends on consumers like you and me. Could you see yourself shopping in a store where you pay nothing immediately, but yet see a bill later?
Sep 14, 2018 | Software
So around 10 years ago, Windows/IE was the top website browser. But in the last decade or so, Firefox and Google Chrome took over that role. In fact, over 60% of all Internet users prefer Chrome. Then I read about Windows 10 fights off competition.
As many in the computer repair and IT service industry know, Windows 10 will come out with their October 2018 Update. However, something catches the eye of experts. When somebody gets to a rival browser, a message comes up saying, “You already have Microsoft Edge-the safer, faster browser for Windows 10. But there’s more. It gives you a choice to ‘Open Microsoft Edge’ or ‘Install Anyway’. At the screen bottom, it said. “Don’t be warned in the future? Open Settings>”. What does this mean?
It means that if somebody sees something is ‘unsafe’ then they’ll heed that warning. Cyber crimes and hacking over the years conditioned us to think that way. So that means the user will continue to use Microsoft Edge as their main browser. That also means they’ll cut of their competition, Firefox and Chrome, because of this warning. Some may just ignore it. But think about how much anxiety there is in the computer world nowadays. Is this how Windows 10 fights off competition?
Now that they exposed this, they won’t be able to. Because now, they’re not going to include this in the Windows 10 October 2018 update. Let’s hope it stays that way. Because I must confess, this sounds more like a bully tactic than anything else. Yes, the goal of any company is to make a profit, and make a better one than your competition. And yes, commercials and politicians often exploit their competition’s weakness to make themselves look better. That’s the nature of things. But to suggest somebody’s computer may be hit with viruses or worse, that’s a little below the belt. How should?Windows 10 compete?
Sep 13, 2018 | Smartphone
So guess what? It’s Apple’s favorite time a year, and once again, it sounds like they delivered. Apple announces new iPhones: Class of 2018.
So the three iPhones they announced are the XS, XR, and XS Max. We’ll startp with the XS, what they call the normal one. This normal one will cost you at least $999. Your storage options are 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB. In fact, all three of those models come with these three storage options. Obviously, only the 64GB will cost you the lowest one. But the XS comes with a thin 5.5 inch screen, and a 12 megapixel camera. The XS is waterproof? for up to two meters deep and come in silver, gold and space grey. You can start pre-ordering on September 14. They will be available in stores starting September 21.
Then there are the XR and XS Max. The XS Max is the high end. It has most of the same IT support XS does. But this one is a little bigger…and more expensive. The price will start at $1,099. It too will start pre-orders on Sept. 14 and will begin on Sept. 21. Then there is the iPhone XR. This is the low end of the three new iPhones. This cost will start at $749. This one is much cheaper because it comes with fewer pixels and no HDR (high dynamic range) display. It has one 12 MP camera. It can only go one meter under water. The iPhone XR won’t take pre-orders until October 19. Gee, I wonder why they would do that.
If I were an Apple guy, which I am not, I would wait for the iPhone XR. I know many who come in our computer service shop, they swear by Apple. That’s part of the reason I’m writing this. Plus, Apple is losing ground on that stock market, just after making it to a trillion dollars. So Apple announces new iPhones. Will it bring up stocks?
