Sep 12, 2018 | networking
So in the next two days, there will be a technology/IT support conference. The GSMA sponsors it. However, one of the main topics will be 5G technology. What is 5G technology? This LA conference tackles the issue.
So that’s hard for even us to explain. I think most of us know that most mobile tech run on 4G, a fourth generation of broadband. Well, that kinda explains what 5G is. But experts say 5G will be 50x faster and hold 1000x more data. They also say smartphones will have 5G technology starting in 2020.That will be for the more advanced ones.? But it will take several more years before it catches on and become accessible to most of the public.
Son now we come to the MWC 2018 Conference, held in Los Angeles, CA between September 12-14. The sub-title of this conference is 5G Beyond Mobile Broadband. Speakers will come from companies like Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, and LG Electronics. According to their website, 5G will be the next IT service revolution. They also say it will go beyond mobile services. Because their features like network slicing and faster connections should support and enhance other areas of life. In fact, much of this conference will focus on 5G technology beyond your smartphone.
Some say be 2035, it will create over 22 million jobs around the world. I hope they mean human jobs. Topics will include how 5G technology will help with health, sales, even public transportation. I will admit one thing. It’s hard for me to imagine cell phone, or any computer system, holding 1000x more data. But then again, 10 years ago, I couldn’t imagine some of the computer technology the way it is today. What is 5G technology? I guess in the next couple of days, they’ll tell us. They say that by the 2030s, 5G technology will be as normal as 3G and 4G will today?
Sep 11, 2018 | General
So remember when Apple and Amazon reached a trillion dollar status? It looks like those days are over, for now at least. Because Apple and Amazon fall backward in stocks.
So in the last several days, Apple and Amazon lost over $100 billion in stocks. For example, back on Sept. 4, Apple hit a record of over $228. But since then, they lost over 5%, or around $10 a share. That may not sound like much. However, this means Apple lost over $50 billion in less than a week. Then there is Amazon. Their stocks are in a four day losing streak. They lost around less than one percent of their stocks. Again that doesn’t sound like much. Nevertheless, to Amazon, that’s over $50 billion.
Why is this happening? Well, stocks are falling across the board and several reasons. The numbers overall aren’t that alarming, but this is Amazon and Apple. However, in order to explain their slide, maybe we should get into the overall stock’s slide. Insiders blame crises in Turkey and Argentina for the slide. Both their currencies are in decline. Also, keep in mind Turkey’s growing involvement with the Syrian war. Investors fear where this might head. Then there are trade wars with other nations from Canada to China, China being one of the biggest IT service countries in the world. This also has investors on edge.
Despite these reasons, investors really don’t have an answer why Apple and Amazon fall backward in stocks. However, I have some guesses about Apple. Every year around this time, they either announce or release a new smartphone device. People in our computer service shop ask this. This year, we heard nothing but speculations. We don’t even know what features they will have or how much they will cost. We can only hope not $1,000 or over that. Experts say some of their new phones will be lower. I hope so. Apple and Amazon fall backward in stocks?
Sep 10, 2018 | Smartphone
So recently, you probably told a speaker to do something or look up something for you. If this is you, then you’re not alone. Smart speakers are on the rise.
So this is according to Adobe Analytics’ stats. They say that nearly a third of all consumers own smart speakers. Keep in mind that number was just 28% from January 2018 (it’s 32% now). Furthermore, they expect the smart speaker to be one of the hottest selling item of the 2018 holiday season. In fact, they say nearly half of all smartphone owners plan on getting a second one. Then, 23% plan on buying one for someone else. And another 23% plan on getting a first one before the? year is over.
The two most common uses for these are to check the weather and ask to play music. The next popular uses for these smart speakers are fun questions, online searches and checking the news. Less people use them to make a call (wow, you don’t even have to dial a number anymore). However, very few use such speakers for shopping. But you can do that if you want. What isn’t clear is which brand consumers use the most. But here is what’s clear: Smart speakers are on the rise.
In fact, sometimes in our Boston computer service shop, people ask us which smart speaker is best. Personally, I don’t have one and don’t plan on getting one. But this is a trend that we in IT support can’t ignore. Plus, they’re affordable, well…kinda, sorta. You can find one for as little lower than $50. But many will cost you over $300. Look, I hate talking about the holiday shopping season in September. I think it’s way too early. However, you know it’s coming, and I do believe smart speakers will be the big tech trend of the year. What’s your bet?
Sep 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
So yesterday, Uber CEO Dara?Khosrowshahi had quite an interview. He talked about many things, such as overcoming recent scandals that plagued his predecessor. But one topic has the IT service world world talking. Is the ride sharing era over? Uber CEO says yes.
Also, Khosrowshahi’s latest purchases are backing his words. First, they got Jump Bikes, an electric bike sharing app and firm. Then they have Uber Rent. And now, they’re launching an electric scooter service. So why is Uber making these moves? Because Krosrowshahi says within a few years, ride sharing apps will be a thing of the past.
He says e-scooters are a couple of years away. He also says we’re 5-10 years away from flying Ubers and flying taxi. They’re already working on space technology, air technology, and getting investments to make this happen. Don’t think this will be a service for the rich either. They want everyone to enjoy these flying ride shares. But this dream of his goes even further. The Uber CEO believes this will get rid of road traffic and have environmental benefits. However, this dream goes even further. Because they want to be the Amazon of daily travel. He told the audience that in 10 years, he wants nobody in that audience to even own a car.
Do you think it’s impossible? Let me take you back to 10 years ago. Did you think ride sharing apps were possible? In fact, they were just coming out with apps period. As recent as 2010, there was no Uber. Here in Boston, near our computer service shop, everybody used taxis. But in less than a decade, most people switched from taxis to Uber. In the next 10 years, there is no telling where we’ll be heading. Maybe flying to work every day isn’t as Jetson as we think. The ride sharing era is only five or six years old. Is the ride sharing era over?
Sep 6, 2018 | News
So there is an IT support billionaire whose name is Liu Qiangdong. He also goes by the name Richard Liu. In fact, some call him China’s Jeff Bezos, for his rich status in China’s e-commerce community. But now, in Minnesota, someone accused Liu of rape. Also, the accusation was enough that they arrested a tech billionaire guru.
However, despite the arrest, Minneapolis police say very little about this. In fact, they didn’t even file charges against him. A Chinese media source asked the police about the pending case. One officer said their goal is to provide services for the accuser while protecting Mr. Liu’s privacy. They soon let Liu go. In fact, on Monday he was on a flight back to China. By Tuesday, he was at his desk JD.com.
Liu founded and made his fortune through JD.com, his e-commerce website. They say it’s Alibaba’s biggest Chinese rival. I say they’re both rivals to America’s Amazon and Ebay, but before I get all into a patriotic rant, let’s go back to this case. JD.com immediately came to their founder’s defense. They said he was falsely accused and even police found no evidence. Liu’s lawyer is confident Minnesota won’t charge him. But why was Liu in Minneapolis to start with? Because he’s pursuing a doctorate of business at University of Minnesota.
So why am I talking about a Chinese IT service billionaire on a Boston computer service shop blog? They don’t call Liu the Jeff Bezos of e-commerce for nothing. Forbes magazine ranks his net worth at $10 billion. Also, JD.com is very popular on the Nasdaq stock exchange. But after they arrested a tech billionaire for rape, stock prices went down almost 6%. This brought their stocks to a 19-month low. But now that this seems to be over, for now, maybe stocks will go up. However, will this be the end of this or could this drag on?
Sep 5, 2018 | General
So a few weeks ago, I reported that Apple is worth a trillion dollars. Then yesterday, another IT support company made that feat. Amazon is now worth a trillion dollars.
So here is how Amazon did it. Tuesday, their stocks passed the $2,050 mark. That’s just for one share. So now think of many many shares worth that amount. That’s the main reason Amazon crossed this tremendous feat. But that’s just the beginning. Because the other reasons are more complex. First of all, Apple just sales high end tech products at a high price. Well, some of our Boston computer service shop?clients will tell you different, and not in a good way either.
However, let’s go back to Amazon. They make 49 cents a sale on their e-commerce site. This includes everything from two dollar artifacts to two thousand dollar laptops. It employs over 550,000 people. Many of them work at home. Also look at how quickly Amazon rose to the masses. For example, as recent as 2010, Amazon was worth barely $100 billion. Also, around this time, they came out with Kindle, which sold quickly. Then came Amazon Web Services and other services. Then they went into Hollywood movies and streaming services. But as recent as 2015, they were worth barely over $200 billion. However, within the last three years, these services Amazon offers grew like wildfire.
Not only that, but they added new ones. They started Amazon Delivery, Amazon Prime, and Alexa the voice machine. Some call it exciting and awesome, while some others call it annoying and encouraging laziness (including present company). I mean, do you really need a machine to turn on the lights or TV for you? I digress. Oh, I almost forgot, they got Whole Foods now. So with all these advancements, they are the second company in American history, the third in world history, to cross the trillion dollar mark. That’s how Amazon is now worth a trillion dollars. But what about the small businesses, and major retails corporations for that matter, that got left out?
Sep 4, 2018 | Smartphone
So, do you know about the folding smartphone? Well, here is a small example. But now, Samsung, who talked a good game for years about this, might be showing up. The Samsung folding smartphone: Is it a likelihood?
So keep in mind much of this is ‘he said, she said’ speculation. I don’t particularly like doing articles like this, but it’s a slow tech news day around here. However, Samsung Mobile CEO DJ Koh says it’s time to deliver. He also hints the delivery could come in November 2018. This conference will take place in San Francisco, CA, in the heart of IT service land, Silicon Valley.
But here is why I say ‘speculation’. Because Koh didn’t talk about how the Samsung folding smartphone will work. He gave a little about the thought process and ensures this project will have the utmost functionality. In fact, Koh hints that his company won’t rest until customers say, “Wow. This is the reason Samsung made it”. He said he’s going to change Samsung’s approach to the ‘mid-tier’ smartphone market. They’re targeting millenials and gen-zers (gen-z means those born after 1999) who can’t afford the high end smartphones. Could this be a clue of what the Samsung folding smartphone will cost?
If it is, then that will be the only clue they give us. We don’t know what hardware or software features this will have. We don’t know about apps, AI, or facial recognition it might or might not offer. In fact, we don’t even know what the price is. But when Koh talks about this folding smartphone, he wants to target younger people. That could be a clue in price, a clue in IT support, or maybe both. But we do know some people want this phone. And they’ve been wanting it for years. How much longer will they wait? The Samsung Galaxy smartphone: Is it a likelihood?
Aug 31, 2018 | Computer technology
So a few years ago, fast food workers protested, insisting on a higher minimum wage salary. Some of them got it, but some of they got replaced. And not by other workers, but by robots. However, there is another IT service company taking this to a whole new level. Let’s see how AI takes over fast food industry.
So there is a company they call Clinc. Clinc is a AI tech firm that specializes in AI voice conversation. They’re already offering their services to fast food giants like Taco Bell and McDonald’s. If they have their way, it will be a robot voice, instead of a human being, taking your order at the window.
However, they already say there are complications. They already admit how difficult it was to get AI to take orders. That’s because the people that run Clinc know that every order and voice are distinctly different. But like all voice technology, Clinc is trying to make their voice as human as possible. They also know a person can change their mind or add extra things at the drive through window. That’s why they’re studying things like speech pattern and voice. But they insists you can talk to this system normally just like you can a human being. We’ll see about that.
However, I will give Clinc credit here. They already have major clients in the banking industry. Okay, maybe that’s more or a warning sign than credit, but it goes to show. Clinc can make this happen. Some even used Clinc’s services at fast food joints in the past. Sometimes it got it right. Then other times, it got it wrong. But then again, humans get it right and wrong sometimes. So what makes this robot so special? And has this IT support firm even thought about the jobs that could go away because of this? As AI takes over fast food industry, what will become of this industry?
Aug 30, 2018 | Computer technology, internet
So who knows what Instacart is? If you don’t, then it’s a grocery delivery app and service. Late last year, they made a deal with major grocer Kroger’s and their sub-chain, Ralph’s. But recently, they made a deal that topped the previous one. Let’s look at this Instacart expansion.
Today, they announced Instacart will now open for up nearly half of all Kroger grocery stores. Basically, this means by November 2018, Instacart delivery will be available for over 1,600 Kroger stores. However, Kroger isn’t the only one benefiting from the Instacart expansion. Other chains like Sam’s Club and Albertsons also have Instacart deliver their groceries to customers.
They want to reach 80% of Americans by the end of 2018. They just might. Because as of now, they can reach 70% of the people. They’re getting plenty of backup too. In one month alone, they raised $200 million worth of capital. In fact, Instacart is now worth around $4 billion. Now let’s talk about the competition. Because there’s plenty of it. Amazon and Whole Foods have their own delivery services and apps. And they’re worth a combined $14 billion. Then you have Target. Obviously, there’s a clothing and accessories retail store. But they’re doing their own online delivery.
Then again, maybe such competition is a good thing. Grocers like Sam’s Club sees how Amazon is trying to turn the world into their own monopoly. Maybe that’s why Sam’s Club ran to Instacart’s arms. This is interesting because less and less people are going to grocery stores…well, traditionally. Now, they’re shopping for their foods and other supplies online. Then, they go pick them up or have a driver deliver them. So IT support and IT service even affects the way we grocery shop, something that people have done since the beginning of time. The grocery store app race is on. Who do you think will win?
Aug 29, 2018 | internet, News
So I’m telling you something you already know. This country is very divided politically. In fact, it’s the worst I’ve seen in my lifetime. Silicon Valley and IT service aren’t immune. Facebook isn’t immune. This is the Facebook face off.
So here is what’s happening. Conservative Facebook employees formally complain about the intolerance, even sometimes bullying, of liberal Facebook employees. Also, these complaints reached the New York Times. Over 100 joined this complaint. But you can bet there will be more. Furthermore, this group has a name. They call themselves ‘FB’ers for Political Diversity’. This group just started last week. There’s more to this Facebook face off.
Facebook engineer Brian Amergie started this movement. He calls Facebook a ‘political monoculture’. He then talks about how Facebook promotes free thinking. But in the office, mobs often attack people who don’t think like them. Others must agree. Because more people are speaking out. Also, this isn’t the first time Facebook got in trouble about this. Because in 2016, they had to form a group ‘Facebook Avon’. It’s where conservative Facebook employees could talk about their ideas without fear of cursing, trolling, or censorship. But they shut down that group in December 2016. Keep in mind that was just one month after that crazy election.
The magazine Business Insider tried to contact both Facebook and Amergie about this. But this isn’t unique. Silicon Valley is known for being a die hard liberal Democrat territory. In fact, of all the billionaires there, I think only one openly supported Trump. And being a supporter of his is dangerous in that part of the country. Look, I’m not here to take sides. Nor am I here to endorse anybody. But I do want to encourage understanding. I also want to encourage civility. There’s too much hatred going on. That includes both sides. So if this is what it takes to bring peace to the IT support world, then good. Can’t we all just get along?
