May 31, 2013 | Entertainment
Several Days ago, I talked about The Internship, a highly anticipated Google based movie starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Let’s look at some other?great technology based movies?so far this century.
10. Cellular: This 2004 thriller starring Kim Basinger co-starred the cell phone. In one day, the cell phone was used to save lives and uncover? a major crime scandal. With smartphones today, imagine how much more can be done, and has been done to fight crime.
9. Minority Report: This 2002 Tom Cruise flick was almost prophetic. It predicted things like touch-based?devices, which weren’t around in ’02 and?eye scanners, which are just now being built. It also?challenged us to ask, ‘What if technology is abused?’
8. Children of Men: This?2006 movie?sound off topic, but with all the talk of trans humanism,?it’s tech relevant. In this movie, a?baby hasn’t been born in 20 years, and the youngest human?perishes after being mobbed to death. I?recently read an article about genetically modified babies being born. It makes me wonder, “Is this where we’re headed in the decades to come?”
7. I,?Robot: This 2004 Will Smith film?ponders the idea of robots turning against us. Can they?turn against us, and can they commit murder? How fast can they multiply? My favorite I-Robot?line: “I miss the good old days. When people were killed by other people.”
6. The Social Network: This 2010 movie tells about the creation of Facebook, and all the ugliness that came with it. No wonder Mark Zuckerburg was voted Time Person of the Year that year.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: I’m not a fan of romantic movies, but there’s a point to this 2004 Jim Carrey flick. Technology can do lots of things, but erasing the past isn’t one of them, no?matter how bad you want it erased.
4. Inception: This 2010 Leo DeCaprio film had us wondering, “What if we could read minds? What is we could steal people’s ideas?” We may not have to wonder much longer; they’re already coming with technology to read people’s minds.
3. Iron Man: What techy?doesn’t love these 21st century gadgets and equipment? Between me and you, Iron Man is?Superman for the tech savvy generation.
2. Wall-E: This Disney animation is the anti-I Robot.?Robotic?feelings are just as complex as human feelings are.?This 2008 movie is a perfect tech lover family film.
1. Avatar: The technology alone?used in this 2009 multi-academy award winning film? is enough to make it number one.? This new classic deals with everything from biotechnology to trans humanism to the environment. That’s why it’s my top pic.
What’s your top pic? What’s your top 10 pic?
May 30, 2013 | internet, networking
I don’t care what the Wall St. board says, it’s hard to get a job out there. It’s often harder keeping that job. This is the sediment around the world. I saw one RT report saying? British university graduates are struggling to find even menial work. Amercan prospects are hardly better. Now we got something else to worry about…
What we put on our social media pages! According to On Device research, 10% of American young adults (9% in the UK) were removed from their current job or rejected from a prospect because of the Facebook page’s content. One report said?nearly half?of employers?will screen FB and social media sites to screen employees and potential employees. Then there’s the case of the high school teacher who held up a pint of beer (before you ask, she wasn’t contributing to minors) and glass of wine. She was forced to resign. And in Michigan, someone was fired for refusing to turn over her Facebook account to her superiors.
You’ll rarely hear me say this, but thank goodness for government intervention. California and a handful of other states have passed laws stopping employers from snooping on Facebook pages. I’m glad to hear it. Also, 70 % young adults don’t care if their posts could harm their careers. I’m glad to hear that too, maybe employers will get the message.
So this lets me know there is hope. You can tell by now I don’t agree with employers checking Facebook?pages for content. It breeds violation of our First Amendment rights and a whole host of social problems. I believe a person should be hired because of their merit. I believe a person should be promoted because of their work, dedication and results. This Facebook business creates a junior high atmosphere where people are getting work because ‘they fit in’. Plus, if employers are allowed to check FB pages, this almost gives them the power of God. Whose to say they won’t fire someone because of someone’s religion, politics, social beliefs, even their favorite sports teams? Don’t think they won’t do it!? Do you think the employer Facebook check policy is a good, or even fair one?
May 29, 2013 | networking, Wireless
Smartphones have become the new normal in today’s society. They’re everywhere. However there’s one stat that stood out to me: According to a studies from Experian Marketing Services, the average American adult spends 58 minutes a day on their smartphone.
That’s just the beginning. Those using a Droid device use it 49 minutes a day. Those using an Apple based devices are in their iPhone 75 minutes a day. What are we doing?during those minutes? Nearly half of it is talking and texting.?The third thing, around 16%, is done social networking (My Space, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).?Visiting websites make up for 14%.? Other things like emailing, gaming, downloading apps, and taking pictures make up for the other third of smartphone activities.
Personally, I’m surprised we’re not spending several hours a day on smartphones. Every time I go to a public facility, everybody’s doing something on their smartphone, weather it’s talking, texting, or social media. With the expansion of Netfix and Hulu, I’m surprised more people aren’t watching TV or videos with these devices. The texting and talking part I buy, I spend a lot of time texting on my device. I’d think more time would be done by social media, especially through Twitter. How easier is it to Tweet something on your phone than wait to get to your tablet laptop or desktop? So these numbers are fairly surprising. But what do you make of Apple users spending more time on iPhones than Droid users spending more time on their devices?
May 28, 2013 | General, News
I heard the majority of Americans get their news from late night TV. I don’t blame them; I see the way mainstream media is going. But Buzz Feed, a social media hub, teams up with CNN and You Tube to bring serious news issues to this demographic.
According to Buzz Feed COO Jon Steinberg, they plan to make 3 video a week for on You Tube. This ‘eight digit’ investment will take two years to carry out. They will use CNN as the mainstream news medium to deliver hard news to the young adult generation. The execs at CNN hopes this will help their medium keep in touch with Millennials.? Buzz Feed will use CNN archives for this new You Tube venture.
Well, I’m glad Buzz Feed is trying to reach this young generation with news. I’m glad it’s real news, not celebrity fluff. I’m tired of these kids who know all about Amanda Bynes and Justin Bieber but don’t even know where Syria is. That has to change, and I’m glad they’re doing something about it. I’m weary of CNN being the news partner in this venture.?I?guess it’s better than MSNBC?and it’s far better than FOX news. But?personally, I wish Buzz Feed teamed up with National Public Radio, RT, or a?more independent news firm.??Let’s face it, there are some?stories mainstream media are not going to tell you that young Americans need to?know. Look at how poorly the?mainstreamers covered the?Dr. Kermit?Gosnell case. So if Buzz Feed really wants be true and legit,?use independent media. Will you?or your?youngsters be turning to BuzzFeed/CNN/You Tube for your news source?
May 27, 2013 | Entertainment, General
This holiday weekend was a big one for film. The Fast and the Furious 6 and Hangover 3 made a combined 150+ million dollars in the past 72 hours. On June 7, a movie called The Internship will be released starring…Google.
The Internship stars comic legends Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Their characters lose their watch business and now must start over. The take an internship at Google, in the Silicon Valley, and compete will people half their age and several times their tech savvy. But the real star is Google…that’s what they want you to think.
Real life Google exes like Sergey Brin make appearances. The Web giant built the set to the tee?for shooting in Atlanta, perfectly mimicking their Silicon Valley?headquarters. Their?logos and?T-Shirts are everywhere. They even wrote a couple of scenes. Note the timing of the movie: It comes out in the wake?of scrutiny over privacy issues about Google Glass.?Google CEO?Larry Page himself?hopes this movie changes the computer tech industry’s image. Another?exec?hopes this gets youth excited about computer science as potential careers.
I’m actually looking forward to seeing the Internship. First off, it sounds like great comedy. Second off, it does take you in a world many of us dream of.?I know I’m not the only one with the fantasy of interning/working in Silicon Valley. It’s PG-13,?so younger?teenagers can enjoy and learn from the?movie. And from reports I read, they did a good job walking the fine line between contributing to the move?and dictating the movie. And anything to improve the?our nations’ math and science scores. So, will you be buying a ticket this weekend?
May 26, 2013 | Computer technology, News, Wireless
In San Francisco, there is a tech company called Lambada Labs. They’ve just come up with a facial recognition API for Google Glass. Meanwhile, Google is being grilled by U.S. Congress over privacy issues.
This technology will let you remember people’s faces and find friends in a crowd. This API is already used by over 1,000 developers, including major international corporations. One developer tweeted he was going to use the API to see who was in a room with him. Earlier this month, a U.S. Congressional group called Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus questioned Google CEO Larry Page about this development. Among the caucus’ concerns were data and pictures being collected against the consent of others and privacy approval for third party apps. According to Google Glass director Steve Lee, ?We?ve?consistently said that we won?t add new face recognition features to our services unless we have strong privacy protections in place.?
At least Congress is trying to do something. While facial recognition isn’t approved in Google’s API policies, it’s not prohibited either. Some may think facial recognition is cute and even needed in today’s society. Like I said before, technologies like facial recognition can be used for good. But it will probably be used for evil. How easy would it be to spy on someone you don’t like, get dirt on that person, and ruin their life? What if this technology gets in the hands of?criminals or even terrorists? Ever consider that? I’m not paranoid, just concerned. Do you think Goolge Glass will see the light?
May 25, 2013 | News
Hulu, the streaming services that gives us our favorite movies and TV shows anytime we want them, is up for sale. Yahoo just purchased Tumblr for over a billion dollars. Now, they want to buy Hulu?
This web pioneer and giant company is looking to purchase some if not all of this streaming service company. Other bidders include?corporate giants include Direct TV and Time Warner. According to reports,?earlier this month, Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer and COO ?Henrique De Castro met with Hulu executives to get Daily Motion, but this acquirement was forbidden by the French government. Hulu’s owners has put the bidding anywhere between $500 million to two billion dollars.
I say too much too fast. Keep in mind the purchase of Tumblr was by far the largest purchase Yahoo has ever made. And we don’t even know if that’s going to be a success. Are they ready to gamble another billion, or even two, on Hulu? Yes, I know you have to be aggressive in business sometimes, but there’s a difference between aggression and craziness. This is craziness. Plus, bidders like Time Warner know how to run Hulu a little more than Yahoo does. Does this deal between Hulu and Yahoo even make sense at all?
May 24, 2013 | Entertainment
In honor of the Xbox One revelation, I present the top 10 Xbox games ever; series (like Halo 1,2,and 3) will be included in the same ratings.
10. Forza Motorsport: This racing video franchise literally puts you in the drivers seat. The cockpit is that real. The Autovista feature can put you in the mechanic’s seat as well, for some of the cars at least.
9. WWE Xbox: The last couple of years may have gotten cheesy, but for a wrestling game, this was innovative. they even had the storylines down pact! My favorite was WWE Legends of WrestleMania; playing Andre the Giant was like reliving childhood!
8. Assassin’s Creed: I love history and the sea, and this game is a mater at telling a history story and fighting sea battles. For me, it’s a simple game to learn.
7. UFC Undisputed: You choose all aspects of the fight, from the division to the venue. I wasn’t even into UFC until I played this at a friend’s house. This game brings these characters to life, literally.
6. Dark Souls: The slogan, “Are you prepared to die?’ is a huge sale alone! I love the monstrous villains in?this game, and how small my character is. Though it’s a dark game, I like the subtle moral to this story.
5. Super Meat Boy: Though the graphics are 1980s-esqe, this is one of the most challenging game I’ve ever come across. You got to love a game that has a good sense of humor!
4. Grand Theft Auto:? I got to put this up here for it’s place in pop culture. With it’s cursing and adult situations, this franchise changed the face the video game industry. The storyline, graphics and characters are very realistic.
3. Gears of War: Have you heard the music and?seen the special effects? The background makes?the post-apocalypse even more real. This game?is better played alone than with a group.
2. All-Madden: First off, this franchise has?been popular for 25 years, so they’re doing something right. But with the latest version, you can control game aspects with your voice, and every play is different.?Nobody would’ve predicted this back in ’88.
1. Halo: This game has everything you want: humans vs. aliens,?graphics, storylines,?etc., etc.! This is the ultimate game for?multiple players: the weapons, rooms, backgrounds and game options are endless (though not all are good)! It’s hard to learn, but that’s?done by design.?Halo Reach is more realistic than ever. ?Halo definitely set the standard for Xbox gaming.
Let the debate begin! What’s your favorite that I left off?
May 23, 2013 | News, Wireless
I used to like flying. I used to like the in-flight meals and the in-flight entertainment, neither of which are common today.? But what is common is the use of devices like smartphones and tablets. Is this the new order of things?
According to a research center at DePaul University, the increase of electronic devices used in flight is up 24 percent in the past year.?At various points throughout the U.S., over a third of passengers?were?on their device during flight?so far in 2013, compared to?less than 18 percent in 2010. This can easily conflict the Federal Aviation Administration’s prohibition of these devices during taxi, takeoff and landing. According to the FAA,?disobedience to this rule, and the disturbances?cause by it, has doubled since 2010. You’re not supposed to use them until the plane is over 10,000 feet, and the pilot is supposed to tell you when that happens. But the disregard for this rule is happening so often that the FAA is?addressing?it at a conference in July.
This is the new order of things. But first off, let’s obey the?10,000 ft.?air rule.?It’s there for a reason. I’d rather put off a?phone call for?15 or 20 minutes than to use my phone, cause a disturbance and?be the cause of a disaster. It’s not worth it. Secondly, flying isn’t what it was in the 1980s and ’90s. It is a much more miserable experience?today, thanks to security?checks, crazy fees, crowded flights, lost baggage, and poor customer service. I can see why people are turning to devices to take their minds off this madness.?I think if the?airlines can improve the flight experience (and some are, that’s why I?only fly certain airlines), that would help the solution.?But will this happen anytime in the future? Can you stay off that smartphone for 20 minutes?
May 22, 2013 | General, News
Over the past couple of weeks, the IRS has been in hot water over unfairly targeting certain groups. In the past couple of days, the attention shifted to Apple. Apple is accused by the US government of owing a $74 billion dollar tax evasion bill.
The focus is now on Ireland. ?A U.S Senate investigation of Apple exposed Ireland’s many loopholes and blamed the European nation for being the?iPod,?iPad and?iPhone maker’s?tax haven. According to some reports, some companies registered in Ireland have no employees other than executives. Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan), went so far as to say, “Apple wasn’t satisfied with shifting its profits to a low-tax offshore tax haven… It has created offshore entities holding tens of billions of dollars while claiming to be tax resident nowhere.” Ireland is expected to be grilled by their European neighbors about their tax laws as well.
Keep in mind Ireland, more so than in most European countries, is dependent on foreign companies like Apple, Google and Intel. Apple denies any wrong doing. In fact, they turned the tables, claiming the gov’t needs to do better getting with the changing technology and economy. In their defense, Apple testifies over half their revenue comes internationally, these funds are needed to build internationally.?They accused the US of charging so much in taxes, leaving them no choice but to go overseas.
I think there’s more at play here.?Keep in mind our deficit is $17 trillion dollars. Would the US come down on Apple so hard if we had a $17 trillion dollar surplus??Apple?has had a mixed couple of years. But now their stocks are coming back, now they’re dealt this blow? In the 1990s-early 2000s, Ireland?was the gem of Europe. Now, their economy is so bad even their cherished pubs are closing down. Now their…ahem…?’tax loopholes’ are coming under fire. What do you think is driving this Apple/Ireland scenario?
