May 17, 2018 | Computer technology, News
So here’s a digital/tech few talk about: the coming cashless society. Do you think it’s a conspiracy theory? Then why is Japan working so hard to create cashless banks? But they’re not the only ones. Is Australia trying to go cashless?
Effective in 2019, the Australian government will bans cash transactions of more than $10,000. That means you won’t be able to buy anything more than $10,000 with cash. You’ll need a check, credit/debit card, or other for of payment. Basically, you’ll need a form of payment in which they can track you. Australian government leaders say this will combat tax evasion. They also say fight crime like drug dealing, terrorism and cyber robberies and attacks. We’ll see.
So most of us don’t walk around with $10,000 in cash buying stuff. But many businesses, even IT service ones, hate this decision. One man, who runs a security business, says 95% of his business is cash transactions bigger than $10,000. There are other businesses that claim they do millions of cash actions a month. So as you can imagine, they’re not happy about this either. However, on the other side, IT support leaders want this, and not just an Australia. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey himself wants a day where Bitcoin is the global currency period.
But why am I talking about Australian technology in a Boston computer service shop? Because the cashless society movement isn’t just Australia’s, or Japan’s. In Australia, 32% of all transactions are done through cash. Here in the USA, that number is 37%. This includes little thing, like cups of coffee. India is so bent on digital currency that they’re banning 500 and 1,000 Rupee bills (that equals to $7 and $14 USD). The money scene is changing globally. Computer technology plays a huge role in that. Is Australia trying to go cashless? Maybe I’m asking the wrong question. Is the world trying to go cashless?
May 16, 2018 | internet
So we all know the trouble Facebook is in. We also know Facebook won’t crawl over and die that easy. This is where Facebook Stories come in. It’s the rise of Facebook stories: weaning off typing.
So yes, there are some Facebook users who don’t like typing their posts. For them, they can post through Stories, a system that uses audio, voice and photos to substitute for posts. Now, they’re banking the rise of Facebook Stories to be their next big thing. However, they’re turning to India, not the USA, for help. Because that nation has lots of languages and dialects, they can use Stories to get their messages across. Did you know India has 22 national languages? Furthermore, India is a major nation for smartphone sales and lots of people take photos with them.
Today, Facebook begins their Stories experiments in India. Hopefully, it will spread to other nations. Then there’s another factor: The rise of WhatsApp and the fall of Snapchat. Recently, Facebook’s WhatsApp past Snapchat in the number of users (450 million to 300 million). They’re even building a Stories archive. Also, they have a new Save to Facebook Camera. That’s a private tab where you can hold your stories.
So it seems like Facebook is bent on making Stories work. Here in our Boston computer repair shop, and on my personal FB page, people use stories. In fact, media companies like ESPN use Facebook Stories. However, in these Stories, nobody is commenting, liking, or sharing. So while Facebook Stories is picking up, it’s clear they got work to do. I was hesitant on why Facebook would use India, but now it makes sense. They have one of the biggest companies in the world, then look at swift rise of their IT support and other technology. Would you use Facebook Stories instead of typing and posting?
May 15, 2018 | Computer technology, internet
So most of us in IT support know what Google Assistant is. To make a long story short, it’s software that does much of your daily planning for you. But they’re taking it even further, coming up with Google Duplex. What is it? Should we embrace it?
Google Duplex makes phone calls to people at your request. However, it uses WaveNet technology?to do so. That’s a speech program that joined sound stogether to create speech. Furthermore, keep in mind you don’t have to type in anything for WaveNet to speak. But it’s really hard to understand when WaveNet speaks. But Duplex adds to Wavenet, and you can actually understand what the robotic voice is saying.
In other words, the Duplex sounds just like a human voice. In fact, I saw some examples where they used Duplex to book hair salon appointments and restaurants. The Duplex voice sounds just like a human voice, even down to the accent. They’re training Duplex strictly for bookings and inquiries. They can’t have conversations like humans can…yet. But their AI is still trying to learn the mystery of human voice and conversation. It realizes each person talks differently. Then there are the languages, dialects, and accents that differ just about everywhere.
Then there are the ethical and moral concerns, like the ones I have. Yesterday in our Boston computer service shop, I debated with a colleague about this. I found the fact that a robot can sound just like a human to take information creepy. There are others that feel the same way. That’s why Google assures they will let people know it’s an AI robot they’re talking to. I hope they can keep that promise because I don’t know how they’re going to do that. Think of all the businesses in the world and customers in the world. Good luck with that one. Because I believe there will come a day where you can and will have full conversations with Google Duplex. It could be an intricate part of our lives. Should we embrace it?
May 14, 2018 | Malware
So for years, we know Android products are venerable to malware. It’s a little better now, but the threat is making a comeback. Android malware is back: the new threat.
Because in the last few days, cyber security company Symantec found not one, but seven different rouge apps. We all thought these fake apps were gone. However, they just got a new publisher. Also, the fake apps are just changing names. Furthermore, these dangerous apps pretended to be productive and even use Google’s imagery in order to hide their real cause. They pretend to be legit. In fact, they even look friendly enough. But in reality, all they want to do is promote scams and infect malware to our devices.
There is good news here. Google took these fake apps down. But they still don’t know how these bad apps got through in the first place. This is especially troublesome after they worked months to make Android products malware free. Or should I say, to make them more malware free. Plus, this kind of malware slipped into Google Play. That’s even more alarming because this rarely happens to Google Play. Yes, malware sneaks in there once in a while. But rarely does it come back as a new strain of malware. In most cases, it shouldn’t be as easy as a name change. But that’s what happened here.
Did I title this blog wrong saying Android malware is back? Should I say, “Android malware never left”? Because not just here, but in IT support in general, we see this a lot. For example, we treat a malware threat. But a year or two later, that same threats comes back because hackers come up with a new way to threaten your computer. It is one of the biggest reasons we have laptops fixed. If Android malware threatened your computer, what would you do?
May 11, 2018 | Computer technology
So as you know, I talk about robotics and AI technology a lot on this blog. You also know I’m very cynical of this kind of computer technology.?This Ted Talk explains why. But I saw some footage that might change my mind. Let’s talk about robotics’ good side: Can they heal?
So robotics company Ekso Bionics provides us with this potential breakthrough. They build exoskeleton robots and other devices. The CEO is Max Scheder-Bieschin. First, I love the faith in his product, saying what smartphones were like 10 years ago. Now look at them today. Then he says 10 years from now, exoskeleton technology will be just as big. Furthermore, Ekso Bionics always had our armed forces in mind.
At first, Esko was about helping soldiers carry weight. Then a Navy Seal became injured. In fact, his injury paralyzed both arms and legs. This changed Bieschin’s goal to helping this man and other injured veterans get their movements back. Then there is Darrell Musick. He’s a physical therapist and an Esko VP. He says their exoskeleton technology helps patients get upright a lot faster. They have over 300 patents. They also say all their technology is getting better, from the electronics, senors, to even their cloud technology.
But you know what impressed me though? The patients they treat. Watching them get up and walk with the help of this kind of IT support. The exoskeleton wraps around their limbs. Then, they get up and can move, get up and even walk. That’s awesome. That is what I mean by robotics’ good side. Personally, what Esko Bionics is doing inspires me. To use robotic technology to help our soldiers is very honorable. I can only hope they can help all people dealing with paralysis. So this story somewhat changes my opinion of robotics… kinda….sorta.
May 10, 2018 | General, Wireless
So most of us know the saying. If mama ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy. Don’t let this be your dilemma this Mother’s Day weekend. The IT support world wants to help. Here are last minute Mother’s Day gifts for tech moms.
So in this day age, just about everyone has a smart device. This also means in this day age, everyone is going to need earplugs. This is where Jaybird’s X3 earbuds come in. Not only are these long lasting quality plugs, but they have their own app. Furthermore, they are sweatproof and waterproof, and have an 8 hour battery life. But they’re not cheap. The average price is around $100.
Or perhaps your Mom wants to join the voice speaker and smart home device craze. That’s where Amazon Echo comes in (I can’t believe I’m actually promoting anything from Amazon! Help!). But from what people around our Boston computer service shop tell me, Amazon Echo is easy to use. It plays music, gives recipes, turns off lights, and reads your books to you at your command. However, this Amazon Echo can be addictive, and can spoil you rotten. Amazon Echos can come in quite a few forms, generations and prices. The cheapest I can find is around $41.00.
Or your Mother may want a fitness tracker. There are plenty to choose from. But according to many tech critics, the best fitness tracker for moms is the Garmin Vivofit. First of all, it has a red bar that keeps you accountable. It tells you when you’re inactive, and gets you on the move. It has one year battery life. Furthermore, it records your moves and progresses. You can get this fitness tracker for as little as $60, depending on which vendor you use.
Those are just some last minute Mother’s Day gifts for tech moms. What are your last minute ideas?
May 9, 2018 | Computer technology
So surely you took a picture on your smartphone. It came out unsavory. Their was a stranger in the background. Then the photo was dull, or maybe you took the picture before everybody was ready. Google wants to help. In fact, Google uses AI to fix smartphone pictures.
So most of us know how good Google Photos are at making photos better. But now they add a new feature they called Suggested Actions. This new action will be out sometime in summer 2018. This software will give you ideas and instructions on how to doctor up your photos. It will also color tools. As in, one thing you can do is change black and white photos to color.
But that’s just the beginning. Now, AI will recognize people in those pictures. Then, Google Photo suggests sending which photo to which person. If your photo is too dark, then AI will tell you how to make it brighter. It can even convert a Google Photo to PDF. But wait…there’s more. You can make all kinds of edits to your photos. For example, you recently take a photo. But you want to make it vintage. Google uses AI to help you fix that, like colors that look more 1968 than 2018.
So that is how this piece of IT support works. I can see how this would work for those who have old photos on they’re systems. For instance, last Christmas, my family put on a small play about my uncle’s 1960s upbringing. We used photos from that era. Obviously, we didn’t have Suggested Actions because it wasn’t around yet. But we did have some great tools, some by Google. People at this play enjoyed these photos. And some of this photos were on a smartphone. Most of you know I am NOT a fan of AI, or it’s potential. IT service never ceases to amaze me. But would you use Google’s AI Suggested Actions to fix your photos?
May 8, 2018 | General
So I always thought Amazon as distant to it’s customers. Because it’s so big and so reaching, they’re probably too big to care. But apparently, Amazon really, really wants to get to know you, more than you want to. Amazon scans your body: for online shopping’s sake.
So according to Wall Street Journal, Amazon wants to know your body size. In New York City, they’re inviting volunteers to Amazon offices. There, Amazon watches their body shape and changes over a four month period. It’ s because they want to know how body shape changes over periods of time. Those who volunteered for this got a $250 Amazon gift card.
However, this has somewhat to do with buying clothes. This has much to do with Amazon’s latest acquisition: Body Labs. They got Body Labs because they want to get into 3D body scanning. The clothing part is that Amazon wants to sell you the perfect fit. This would also reduce returns. If you buy an outfit that doesn’t fit you, of course you’re going to return it. Yes this has a lot to do with IT support, like Body Labs. That’s just one more piece of IT service they have under their belt.
But you know what this tells me? Amazon wants your clothing business so bad they’re buying out a tech company in order for you to buy their clothes. Some call that genius. But some others call that insanity. Amazon scans your body; not yet. This is still in their experiment phase. But between you and me, I like my retail stores. And if they don’t fit me, I can take them back to the store, and get my refund exchange right then. I don’t have to wait days and days. So is this Amazon body scan going to work? Or did Amazon waste an acquisition?
May 7, 2018 | Security
So let’s say hackers shut a city down. Then, there’s no electricity. There are no computers or IT service. The whole city shuts down. Then riots break out. Days and weeks pass by. The bodies pile up. This may sound like a movie, but this can be real. Can hackers cause an apocalypse?
I say this because I read about some disturbing trends lately. These trends aren’t in China or North Korea, but right here in Massachusetts. We’re talking less than an hour from our Boston computer service shop. For example, in Leominster, MA, an hour away from Boston, their schools paid $10,000 to hackers to get data back. That was a month ago. Several years back, hackers hit suburban towns of Melrose and Tewksbury, MA. Hackers forced these two towns’ police departments to pay ransomware. They gave in.
But wait…don’t take my word for it. Hackers themselves will tell you. One hacker turned cyber security CEO said all it takes is one act to bring down a whole city. For example, a city employee can click a phishing email. Then, a server can lock all data and cause ripple effects throughout the city. That hack can disrupt anything and everything from tax revenue to clean water to garbage collection. It could even disrupt 911 service.
Think about that. One hacker causes mayhem for an entire city. When people need 911 service, they’re not there to reach out. Do you know how many medical problems, fires, and crime that could cause? This isn’t a Hollywood movie, ladies and gentlemen. This can actually happen. It could have happened to Atlanta a couple of months ago. Can hackers cause an apocalypse? If so, then what can we do about it? You can avoid suspicious email and get a good anti-virus system. You can also have a good back up. If you’re a business owner or manager, then train your people on online safety and security. We need it now more than ever. What can we do to be safe?
May 4, 2018 | General
So yesterday, I talked about a security alert involving malware. Being the good IT support steward I try to be, I want to alert you on another one. It’s time to change your Twitter password.
But don’t just take my word for it. Because Twitter Support itself delivered the warning yesterday afternoon. They discovered a bug that played with passwords. Then, Twitter assured users they fix the bug before it caused any real problems. However, they do suggest changing your password as soon as you can. There’s a reason for their urgency. Because it stored password in an unmasked environment. Also, the bug stored plain passwords (those without numbers) openly on their internal log.
I think some are getting the message. So far, Twitter’s warning tweet got over 15,000 hearts. It also has over 28,000 users talk about this. Tech Crunch and other major tech publications reached out to Twitter about this episode. Twitter leaders and spokespeople insists this lapse will have an extremely low effect on your account. According to their investigations, there is no evidence of foul play or on outright attack. This was just an honest mistake… a mistake made by one of the largest social media companies of all-time.
Yes, you need to change your Twitter password. Please do so sooner than later. I’m not telling you…they are. At Geek Choice, we have thousands of Twitter followers. Many of them near our Boston computer service shop. It looked like Twitter was finally out of the woods. As you remember, in the past one or two years, they endured financial setbacks and bullying scandals. Now, this comes up. When you do change your password, don’t make it an easy one. Choose something you and only you would remember. It’s better to make it with both numbers and letters. This is yet another security alert.
