Aug 14, 2018 | Computer technology
So most of you remember Apple just made the trillion dollar mark. I also argued if they want to keep it up, then they need to start selling new products. They must be listening. Because there is a new Apple MacBook. There are also early problems.
So first, the rumor mill says there will be a new Apple MacBook coming out in the months to come. It will either be a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Also keep in mind this rumor mill comes from Asia. These same reports say they will be inexpensive MacBook. However, we don’t even know what kind of Macbook it will be. The best candidate will probably be a new 12-inch MacBook. When they say inexpensive, their cheapest form of Apple laptop could start at $999.
But before they start selling and promoting this mysterious new Apple MacBook, they might want to fix what they already have. Because Apple users are already complaining about crackling sounds. According to customers, the strange sound comes from playing audio. So far, Apple, one of the mightiest IT support conglomerates, can’t fix this issue. Furthermore, just last month, new MacBook Pros had a glitch that caused major slowdowns. They did have a software fix for that, eventually.
So now I get it. I can see why Apple is so slow and so hush about releasing new computers. Maybe they should first work on the new machines they have now. If they want to keep having a trillion dollar company, then they need to fix the problems they have now. I guess they do need to release new products too. Because other companies are releasing new products. The way I see it, Apple really is between a rock and a hard place. Although if they do give you problems, we specialize in laptops fixed. Do they fix the problems they have, or do they continue sending new products?
Aug 13, 2018 | News
So you think the US had a good IT support week last week? China had it a little better. Here is China’s wonderful week of IT service.
So, do you know what an E-class supercomputer is? It’s a computer that can match, maybe even exceed, neurons in the human brain. Basically, that means this computer can make hundreds of? trillions of calculations per second. China is on it’s way to completing this supercomputer. In fact, they may be already there. Because they announced their supercomputer Tianhe #3 will be the world’s fastest supercomputer by 2020. They make no bones about it. China wants to break away from America’s dependency on US computers. Will they? Should that concern us if they do?
But wait. Because there is more. Alibaba, the Amazon of China, is now getting into the education profession. This is because they’re creating a new generation of e-commerce workers they can have all to themselves. Also, some of these efforts won’t even come from China. Some will come from neighbors, like Malaysia and Vietnam. This is because these nations are huge supporters of Alibaba, one way or another. So far, they trained over 7,000 people from ten nations. They’re also training businesses.
So what? Why am I writing about China in a Boston, MA, USA computer service shop? China is not only one of our biggest partner, but our competitors as well. Well, thanks to the tariffs, they may be more of a competitor than a partner. It also looks like they’re trying to be more of a competitor and less of a partner. The Chinese leaders themselves said they’re doing this to break away from America, and the American computer systems. Is that why Alibaba is in such a hurry to train more workers? Is that the reason of China’s wonderful week of IT service?
Aug 10, 2018 | Computer technology
So in Japan, there is university professor Hiroshi Ishiguro. One time, he built a top of the line robot of himself. Also, keep in mind this was back in 2010. So keep in mind how far IT support and robotics are now. This is where Ibuki comes in. Meete Ibuki the robot. Are robotics going too far?
So Ibuki is a robot that patterns after a 10 year old boy. It (yes I call it ‘it’ and not ‘he’) has wheels for legs, but the face and hands look eerily human. However, that’s not the scariest thing about Ibuki. It scans for faces. It also uses a half track system for moving around. Ibuki the robot can’t talk, but it blinks and can move it’s head. That is the way it communicates with humans. In fact, I saw a video of Ibuki doing this with it’s creator, Hiroshi Ishiguro. Not only can such robots interact with humans, but with other robots. That is his goal. To have robots communicating with humans as well with other robots. Ibuki has wheels for legs, but he can move around and walk like a human being.
However, keep in mind it’s not completely human. So if you see Ibuki the robot walk down the street, you’ll still know it’s a robot. It has exposed wires for a head and neck. But you and I know this is just the beginning. We see it everywhere, don’t we? From Sophia the robot in Saudi Arabia to Boston Dynamics near our computer service shop, there seems to be a robotic race. It’s a race to make robots look and act more human and animal like on a daily basis. The scary part is, they’re succeeding. How long before they become so intelligent they come after us and want our world for themselves. Are robotics going too far?
Aug 9, 2018 | Computer technology
So many New York City citizens complain IT service ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft clog up NYC streets. Furthermore, The New York City Council listened. Because now, New York City limits ride sharing apps.
They passed the local law that will slow down licences for ride sharing apps. In fact, the only new ride sharing cars allowed will be for handicapped riders. This law also sets a minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers. However, here is a twist. From the looks of things, the majority of NYC ride share drivers approve the bill. But from what I’m reading, Uber and Lyft executives do not.
Yesterday, a group they call Independent Drivers Guild demonstrated outside Citiy Hall. They praised the bill. One person said he hopes this starts a fairer ride sharing industry everywhere. He also stated this prevents ‘gig economies’ from stripping workers of their rights. Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft tried to get drivers to fight this new bill. They say it will lead to fewer drivers. And when you have fewer drivers, then service takes longer because more people are in line. They even proposed a $100 million fund to help drivers who may need assistance.
You can bet this is far from over. Already, they’re trying to find ways to keep up with ride sharing demand and obey these new laws. Sometimes they say, “as New York City goes, so goes the nation”. But I understand the complaints. Outside our Boston computer service shop, I see traffic backed up and frustrated drivers stalled. All because one ride sharing driver is waiting for one Uber/Lyft customer. Also on other busy streets, they can back traffic up because ride sharing drivers pick up customers, causing back-ups. So yes I understand the complaining. Here is what you can do. Customers, please wait outside promptly for your driver. When he/she comes, get in the car quickly so you guys can go on and traffic can go on. New York City limits ride sharing apps. Should other US cities?
Aug 8, 2018 | Smartphone
So as most of us know, Amazon recently acquired health-friendly grocery chain Whole Foods. It also appears Amazon is clearly making Whole Foods theirs. First, they peddle all things Amazon. Then, Amazon begins grocery pickup at Whole Foods.
But first, here is how it works. This service will be for Amazon Prime customers only. The two test stores will be in Virginia Beach, VA and Sacramento, CA.? Sorry to my Boston computer service shop customers. But fret not. Because within a year, Amazon wants to extend this service to Whole Foods’ across America. You pick out your groceries with Amazon Prime. Then wait about an hour. After that, you go to your nearest Whole Foods and an employee will bring your groceries to your car window. If your grocery bill is over $35, then it’s free. But if it’s under $35, then they will add a $1.99 fee.
However, if you can’t wait an hour, then for an extra $4.99, they will expedite the process to 30 minutes. The pick up services are available during their hours: 8am to 10pm. So far, the service is embraced by those who have small children, and would rather not chase after them in grocery store aisles. Then say see the candy aisle or snack aisle and say, “Can we get? Let us have. Gimme that.”. This way, the parent or child doesn’t leave their car. It’s also popular with people who don’t even have time to go grocery shopping. Keep in mind many Americans are busier than ever, so that means less and less people do have time to go grocery shopping.
Which is really sad. IT support has to come to the point where they pick out our groceries for us then deliver it to us. Sorry, but I won’t be asking for this service. I actually like going to the store and getting things to my liking. What if they pick up the wrong thing? What if the grocers never get your order right? Amazon begins grocery pickup at Whole Foods. Will you sign up?
Aug 7, 2018 | News
So a few days ago, I saw something on the news that made me sad. A college professor making $100,000 has to sleep in her car. It’s because she can’t afford a place to live in San Jose. San Francisco area’s housing crisis is affecting everybody, including IT service employees.
In the greater San Francisco area, buying a home is impossible for many in the IT support and computer tech industry. This includes those working for big name companies. In fact, 59% of all tech workers in that area can’t afford a home. Then, another stat says a person making $110,000 a year or less in the San Francisco/Silicon Valley area is below the poverty line. No tech company is immune. Even employees from Facebook, Apple and Google are struggling.
The average price for a San Francisco home is $1.6 million. The super rich often bid hundreds of thousands or pay cash altogether. Therefore, many software engineers or tech managers can’t afford housing in Silicon Valley. In fact, only 12% of Silicon Valley/San Francisco residents can afford a their own home. Only 49% of Google employees say they can afford homes, and they’re faring the best. But here is the irony. Apple just became a trillion dollar company. Yet, only 37% of Apple employees in this area say they can afford homes.
People are leaving these areas because of San Francisco area’s housing crisis. In fact, whole tech companies are leaving because of the Silicon Valley area’s housing crisis. They’re moving to Seattle, Denver, Raleigh, NC, and yes, our Greater Boston area. But San Francisco and Silicon Valley are losing more citizens than any other metro area in America right now. Even more than crime ridden Chicago. It’s causing havoc on the streets, to the point where downtown streets are littered with heroin needles and human urine and feces. Keep in mind this was once one of the most beautiful and treasured cities in America. But now, it’s come to this. Yet, they’re celebrating because they banned straws! However, they can’t seem to find housing for their citizens, even those in computer repair. Are their priorities out of whack?
Aug 6, 2018 | internet, News
So this weekend has been a bad one for Infowars and it’s host, Alex Jones. If you don’t know what Infowars is, it’s a controversial right-wing alternative media platform. Infowars vs social media: A free speech threat?
First, Facebook punished Infowars. They got rid of four of their podcasts in the last week. Then, they gave Alex Jones a 30-day ban from Facebook altogether. That’s just Jones’ page, but the Infowars page goes on as normal, except for these four episodes. But this punishment is for, “repeated violations of community standards”. Also, one Facebook leader accuses these pages of ‘glorifying violence and using language to dehumanize others’.
You Tube did the same thing Facebook did recently. Then there is Apple, who took the strongest stance of them all. Because Apple removed all Infowars and Alex Jones content altogether. The only one they left was, ‘Real News with David Knight’. Apple says they used hate speech and violated their policies. One Apple spokesperson said, “Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users”. We don’t know when, or if, Apple will let them back again. Don’t hold your breath.
Infowars has caused? controversy for around 20 years. They claimed the government knew, and even helped plot the 9/11 attacks. They also claimed mass shootings like Sandy Hook in 2012 and San Bernadino in 2015 were conspiracy theories. It got so bad that Sandy Hook families are suing. This is Infowars vs social media. Personally, I don’t like the things Infowars or Alex Jones says. But there is concern here. What are they going to call hate speech? Is every IT service company going to wipe people out because they say something they don’t like? Will a little blogger like me in my computer repair shop be punished because I offended somebody? That is the real fear. Because I’ve had Facebook friends be put in ‘Facebook jail’ even for the slightest thing these days. Is this punishing haters? Or is this a free speech threat?
Aug 3, 2018 | News
Yesterday, Apple made not only IT support history, but American history. So you think a $100 billion bushiness is good? It may be, but there’s a new standard in town now. Apple is worth a trillion dollars.
Apple is the first company in American history to have capital value of over one trillion dollars. We can also thank the latest quarter earnings for this. Furthermore, Apple passed stockbrokers’ expectations of sales. Then they have high hopes for the months ahead, you know, back to school season, then holiday shopping season. Yesterday, all this good new pushed stocks to over $207 a share. An noon yesterday, Eastern time, Apple officially became a trillion dollar company.
But it’s not the first global company to do this. PetroChina, a Chinese big oil firm, crossed the trillion dollar mark back in 2007. However, not only did it not stay there, but PetroChina’s worth soon nosedived. By the end of 2008, at the Great Recession’s height, their net worth fell to $260 billion. But that is PetroChina. This is Apple. I think trillion dollar mark isn’t based on previous sales, but on speculation. Rumors say 3 new iPhones are coming out in the near future. Apple lovers also look forward to a new Apple watch and iPad Pro that might be coming out. Look at the nouns and verbs…rumors, look forward, might be.
What I’m saying is this feat isn’t really based on anything tangible. That is a dangerous position to put yourself in, especially if you’re a mega company like Apple. So if I were an Apple executive or stockholder, or even a loyal Apple consumer, I wouldn’t be popping any champagne if I were you. I’m already seeing Apple stocks are down slightly, not even 1%. But more to the point, Apple is worth a trillion dollars. Mostly based on hopes and dreams. It could come true? But what if they don’t? Also, Amazon could make the trillion dollar worth mark before too long. Is this an IT support watershed moment? Or is this a disappointment just waiting to happen?
Aug 2, 2018 | Computer technology, Entertainment
So many people are into mobile gaming now. Here at our computer service shop, it’s a favorite activity and talking piece. This is among customers and computer repair experts alike.? But Google sees it and wants to take it somewhere. Google and mobile gaming: Are they taking gaming too?
Well, Google focus on mobile gaming advertising. In fact, they’re teaming up with Unity, a game developing company, to do so. Let’s say marketers advertise with Google on games that Unity makes and backs up. Keep in mind Unity’s audience plays a combined 9 billion minutes a day playing their games. Think about how much revenue and people these companies can reach.
Then think about this: mobile gaming is worth over $50 billion a year. In fact, over 30% of all apps on all smartphones are games. They could range from anything from solitaire to Pac-Man to Call of Duty. When you think of mobile gamers, you probably think of young men and techies, right? Not exactly. Because according to some stats, nearly have of all mobile gamers are now women. These girls and women can be as young as 10, or as old as 65. So look at the age range. Almost all gamers, boys, girls, men and women play their games for free. And most of them said they’d rather watch advertisements then pay for these games out of pocket.
Not only is Unity the leader in gaming production, but it’s becoming a leader in the VR and AI race is well. Plus, keep in mind Google’s biggest rival, Apple, searches for mobile gaming advertisers. It looks like Google beat them in securing an alliance with Unity. And it seems like a good mood. I predict Google and mobile gaming could be the most powerful alliance in advertising history. I know that sounds out there now, but this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Could mobile gaming be the new TV of advertising?
Aug 1, 2018 | internet
So this story starts in 2010. That is when Google took their search engine, and other services away from China. This was because of China’s ridiculous censorship laws. But now, there seems to be a change. Will Google come back to China?
However, the rumor mill is in overdrive; Google might bring back a censored version of Google to China. And it might happen by early 2019. If this does happen, then Chinese consumers can expect blocks, and lots of them. This means they won’t get Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. That’s because the Chinese gov’t made them illegal. It also won’t include American or British news media, like The New York Times or BBC. They’re illegal in China, too.
Google doesn’t confirm this. But they don’t deny it, either. But IT support insiders say this mission is so secret that they’re code naming it Dragonfly (gee, where have I heard that name before). So far, only top Google leaders and executives know the details. For years, people speculated Google is trying to get back into China. Play Store is one way, and that’s already gaining momentum. The Chinese consumers clearly want this, but the tough part is convincing the Chinese government.
But Google isn’t giving up soon. In fact, Google CEO Sundar Pichai is in constant meetings with Chinese authorities to make this happen. At least that’s what they say. But why, after years of division, is China and Google trying to work it out? Because they need each other. China has the largest population in the world. Google is the largest IT service entity in the world. China also has the largest economy in the world. Google needs those over one billion potential customers to continue to grow. And China needs this entity to compete with the west on the technology front. Will Google come back to China?
