Jul 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
So how did you celebrate your 4th yesterday? Did you have good food, good drink, and see good fireworks? Did you see robots dancing in the streets? Because in China, they broke a world record. They had thousands of dancing robots: cute or creepy?
So in China, they lined up over 1,000 robot in horizontal and vertical fashioned. Then, as far as the lens camera can see, these robots dance in perfect sync with each other. Well, I wouldn’t call it dancing. But it looked to me more like military exercises that a powerful army would do. First, they would move their arms back and forth. Okay, the way they moved them had a little rhythm to it.
Then they did a little bow, then more dance, or exercise with their arms. In this video clip, I didn’t see the robots move their arms. This clip went on for over 30 seconds. Apparently, it did make the Guinness Book of World Records. It made it for the most robots dancing in sync at one time. Whoever did this saw it as a thrill, because some of the comments below saw things very different. One joked, “If the end of the world is coming, then at least it will be entertaining.” However, another thought China was showing a dark message by having so many robots dancing at once.
Like it or not, robots will have a massive place in IT service’s future, and in the world’s future. I was at my local grocer a couple of weeks ago. I saw a robot clean the floor, while serving as a security guard for another time. This isn’t a plot from The Jetsons. This is real life, the real world in 2019. So yes, it is happening.Ready or not, here they come. Thousands of dancing robots: Cute or creepy?
Jul 3, 2019 | Software
So they say the eyes are the window to the soul. It looks like Apple’s latest developer Beta wants to take that to hear. Apple iOS 13 Face Time: Is this feature worth it?
So they call this new feature Face Time Attention Correction. With this feature, they’re hoping to make face time deeper and more realistic. For instance, there’s a big emphasis on looking the person in the face, particularly the eyes. I’m sure our parents taught us to look somebody in the eyes when talking to someone, especially in business. However, more people are doing business through tablets, laptops, and other forms of IT service. This Apple iOS 13 face time features wants to capitalize on that.
For the most part, people complain that with face time, you’re looking more into a camera than at the person. With Face Time Attention Correction, you’re looking more at the person. One happy customer says this app makes him look the person dead in his eye, and not looking at the camera. Then he compared it to something from the next century. Okay, I find that odd because look at how much next century stuff we already have. And we still have another 81 years in this century left. I digress.
If you want Face Time Attention Correction, then you better come correct with those premium Apple products. Because you can only get this on iPhone XS and iPhone SX Max. Now tech experts explain why this is. But what if this is just Apple trying to manipulate you to by the latest $1,000+ phone? Also, yes, you may have to look at the camera in the old way. But as long as it works, and as long as you can communicate, then I’m good with that. I won’t be upgrading to the latest gadget just to look someone in the eyes. For the most part, they probably don’t want to look me in the eyes anyway. Is this feature worth it?
We at Geek Choice would like to wish all our readers and clients a very happy and safe Independence/4th of July holiday.
Jul 2, 2019 | News
So, how many of you know about ‘deepfake’ porn? Don’t feel bad, because I didn’t either until I read about this article. At least one state is fighting this evil. Virginia fights ‘deepfake’ porn.
So deepfake porn uses machine learning to take a photo and strip a woman of her clothes. For instance, a couple has an innocent photo. Then the couple breaks up. The guy manipulates this innocent photo and makes her nude. Then he blasts it all over the Internet. That’s deepfake porn. In fact, they had an app that’s totally dedicated to this thing. The former app DeepNude could turn any photo of any clothed person into a nude photo. Thankfully, due to public outrage, the owner of DeepNude took down this app, and it is no more.
So now, Virginia fights ‘deepfake’ porn. Effective July 1, 2019, it is illegal to share these kinds of nude photos without the person’s permission or approval. This includes all kinds of nude photos, whether real or altered. Virginia had a tough stance of revenge porn since 2014. But because ‘deepfake’ porn was new, but rising at an alarming rates, it took a while before lawmakers caught on. But thank goodness they are. Other states, and nations are catching on. In New York, there are debating laws making this kind of revenge porn a crime. In other nations, like United Kingdom, are passing laws giving deepfake porn victims the right to sue.
So what do we do to combat the evil of deepfake porn? We’re already doing it. People are raising awareness and are letting people know such perverted behavior is not tolerated. Look at the righteous outrage that eventually took DeepNude down. That’s a huge start. I think we as a public need to keep the pressure on. Deepfake porn give IT support, and society in general, deep scars that may never be healed. What can you do to fight deepfake porn?
Jul 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
So what to write about today? I can write about how many in the IT service community are already taking sides in this upcoming election. But I’m going to keep it positive. Let’s talk about how STEM inspires a generation.
So STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Stem started in the 1990s. But in the 2000s, as smartphone and social media tech boomed and changed the world, STEM became critical. Years ago, STEM partnered with FIRST. What FIRST does is have contest and field days teaching kids of all ages, 5-17, to think critically. Their contest includes things like robotics, space, even playing with Lego blocks.
For example, after school, kids can meet with STEM educators. Here, they can learn innovation and leadership through science, technology, engineering and math. Every year, 300,000 kids come to participate in STEM’s FIRST LEGO challenge. They come from all over the world and form teams. They solve real world problems and often use inventions to do so. The winning teams get $20,000. However, this year’s theme is space innovation. They call it Into Orbit, problem solving through space innovation and exploration. As a write this, there are now 20 semi-finalist from 31 countries.
So these teams come from everywhere. They come from Charlotte, NC and Germantown, MD. They also come from Verona, Italy and Rio de Janerio, Brazil. This is how STEM inspires a generation. You know, many say there is little, if any hope for Gen-Z (those born after 1997). I can’t disagree more. Thanks to organizations like STEM, kids want to learn about all things technology. They want to learn about coding, space, robotics, building apps, all the things we’re going to need in the 2020s and beyond. And many of these participants are girls and minorities, the exact people big tech is trying to reach out to. That’s awesome! Would you like a STEM program to come to a town or school near you?
Jun 28, 2019 | Uncategorized
So we all know Amazon pretty much owns e-commerce retail in the IT service industry. But now, they want to take over traditional retail too. Amazon’s Counter goes after retailers.
Amazon’s new service, they call it Counter. With counter, you can pick up your Amazon purchases at a retailer near you, instead of waiting on home delivery. Furthermore, they already found a retail partner: drug store chain Rite Aid. They will soon and very soon partner with 100 Rite Aids across the country to launch counter. But by the end of 2019, they want this in over 1,500 stores. This means involvement with other retailers. They tried it already in United Kingdom and Italy. So far, it’s a success.
I can see Amazon’s logic here. Believe it or not, more people shop in physical retail than they do online. In fact, some statistics say only 10% of all US sales are done online. And let’s face it. Waiting for that home delivery isn’t always convenient, or even safe. In our computer repair business, there were many times I had to stay after hours just to wait for a computer part to come through. Then, say nobody is home. Who and what is there to stop a thief from stealing your packages? It’s getting dangerous for delivery employees, too. Remember that confrontation between actor/rapper Ice-T and an Amazon delivery man?
But there is a reason why I title this Amazon’s Counter goes after retailers. Because that’s exactly what they’re doing. They already have Whole Foods, mass media, and just about everything else. Now they want to go after retailers. I’m sorry, but I think I will stick with the retailers I already shop at, especially the small and local retailers. I’d rather not fuel Amazon’s quest for world domination if I can help it. When is it ever going to end?
Jun 27, 2019 | youtube
So on this blog, I talk about You Tube a lot. Because a lot of people in the IT service community follow it. Some have popular channels themselves. However, this is a deeply sad blog I have to report, but it is necessary to talk about. YouTube star Etika passed away at 29.
So for those who don’t know him, Etika, real name Desmond Amofar, specialized in critiquing video games on You Tube. His favorite brand to talk about was Nintendo, and his channel, TRI Iceman had over 130,000 subscribers. But in recent months, family, friends and fans grew more concern over his erratic behavior and declining mental health. For instance, in April 2019, he tweeted himself posing with a gun. The next month, he allegedly assaulted a police officer and rushed to a hospital.
Then, last week, Mr. Amofar uploaded a video, quoting, “I really had no intention of killing myself, but I would always push it too far.”. Unfortunately, this would be his last You Tube video. Because on June 20, the NYPD posted Mr. Amofar missing, urging anyone who saw him to come forward. Then, on June 25, police reported Mr. Amafor dead. They found his body floating in New York City’s East River. They also found some of his belongings by the Manhattan Bridge. Yesterday, authorities ruled Mr. Amofar’s death as a suicide.
So YouTube star Etika passed away at 29. In the last couple of days, tributes from all over the world are poured in. They come from followers and fellow You Tubers. Though I never knew him or subscribed to his channel, we also join in in offering our condolences to Desmond ‘Etika’ Amofar’s family, friends and community. So why even talk about this? Because suicide is an epidemic in this country right now. The statistics are alarming. In fact, it’s getting so bad that for the third year in a row, the US life expectancy rate declined. That’s the first time that happened since the World War 1/Spanish Flu era of the late 1910s. So if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Or you can visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. Remember, you are worth saving and you are worth fighting for.
Jun 26, 2019 | Uncategorized
So when we all think of Kitty Hawk, history comes to mind. Most of us think of the first flight back in 1903. Nothing of IT support or tech innovation comes to mind. But maybe it should: Kitty Hawk and flying taxis.
So in this story, Kitty Hawk is an up and coming flying car company. Furthermore, big names in the IT world back this company. I mean names like Google’s Larry Page and Udacity’s Sebastian Thrun. However, Kitty Hawk is about to get bigger. Because they just made a deal with airplane giant Boeing. Both companies want to increase urban air travel. Both are also looking at things like safety and robotics when it comes to flying taxis.
The name of their two-person air taxi is Cora. We know little about this collaboration between Kitty Hawk and Boeing. That’s because they’re telling us little. But they’re working on a self-piloting version of Cora. In fact, one Boeing executive hints that this is the next step in transportation and air mobility. Cora can already fly like a helicopter and an airplane. In fact, tests in New Zealand continue to this day. So how long before Cora comes flying to your airport, or even to your door?
We all read stories about the rise of driverless cars. We also read stories about robots taking over jobs and other ways of life. Both elements are in this story. Because no human being will fly Cora. She will fly herself. If Kitty Hawk and flying taxis become true, then imagine taking one of these to work everyday. Yes, that will get you there quicker. That will cut down on road traffic some, too. But what if a million people got these Coras. Won’t that contribute to air traffic, not including the commercial airlines as well? So with these flying taxis, are we solving a problem? Or are we creating a new one?
Jun 25, 2019 | Smartphone
So have you ever taken a photo with your smartphone? It’s 2019, the height of the IT service age, so of course. But then you got all these people in your photos you don’t want there. Apparently, there’s an app for that now. Here’s the app that cleans your photos.
They call this app the Bye Bye Camera. This app removes human beings, including yourself, from photos you take with your smartphone. The organization behind this is Do Something Good. The people behind this say the Bye Bye Camera app takes the ‘selfie’ aspect of photos. They also say we’re heading into, “…the post human era”. Furthermore, Do Something Good reminds us that pets will be in the pictures.
However, there’s quite a demonstration of this. I saw a photo of a man standing on a sidewalk. Then a caption appears saying, “Please wait, detecting humans”. They use AI tech to take humans out of photos. They’re working on more causes with this kind of AI. It uses YOLO You Only Look Once). This is a kind of AI that detects a human being from the outline. Then they compare it with animals and non-living objects. That’s how they remove humans from photos. You can get the Bye Bye Camera app from the App Store for $3. That’s quite expensive for an app.
That’s the app that cleans your photos. It cleans of them of ourselves. I have mixed feelings about this. It would be fun to play with. Also, I know I have pictures that I would like to take the people out of. But I also have concern. First of all, they call it the post human era. That phrase alone scares me. Because it shows, to me at least, we now have such cynicism towards one another that we look forward to a time when we’re not even here. That’s creepy to me. In fact, I’d rather have the selfie culture that the ‘post human’ culture. I’m not crazy about this $3 price either. Would you use this app?
Jun 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
So by now, you all know last week was a tense week between the US and Iran. But suddenly, President Trump cancelled any potential Iran strike. Does that mean we’re all going to live happily ever after? I doubt it. Because first of all, Trump Administration cyber attacks Iran.
According to many sources, US President Trump approved a cyber attack on Iran’s missile systems. This particularly means an attack on Iran’s computers that control the missiles. This happened on June 20. The hands behind the attack were the hands of US Cyber Command. Sources say this cyber attack crippled Iran’s missile program, but not much more. In fact, nobody is saying much of anything about this one.
But it’s not this crisis that caused this cyber attack. In fact, this was months in the making. Apparently, the Trump administration wanted to do this since Iran allegedly attacked oil tankers on the Gulf of Oman. Of course, Iran vehemently deny any attack on oil tankers on the Gulf of Oman. They’re being silent because they don’t want to put other operations on the line. But it’s not just Iran. Then there is Russia. There’s even talk of a malware attack on Russia’s power grid. But officials are keeping very hush-hush about that.
So why bring this up? Remember, Russia and Iran are close allies, and have been since the mid-2000s. So if we attack Iran, we may as well be attacking Russia as well. So what does this have to do with IT service? Well, look around. Trump Administration cyber attacks Iran. Who knows what Iran will do, or what Russia will do? And they’re using cyber, technology, IT attacks, not conventional ones. Please understand, I’m not trying to scare anyone here. But look at how quick nations are using cyber attacks on each other. Shouldn’t that tell us something?
Jun 21, 2019 | General
So by now, most of us know about the trade war between the US and China. In fact, I reported on it some. This does affect the global IT service industry, especially Apple. But one Taiwanese billionaire smells blood. Taiwan billionaire calls for Apple move from China.
That’ billionaire’s name is Terry Gou. He’s the founder of Foxconn, a Taiwanese mega electronics firm. Well…I should say he was. Because as of now, he’s resigning from that position. He’s resigning because he’s running for president of Taiwan. Now, Gou is asking Apple to all their Asian facilities from China to Taiwan. This has further merit because Foxconn is one of Apple’s big supplier of factories and raw electronic goods. Will that persuade Apple to do what Gou asks?
Then there is the economy war with China. In fact, president Trump threatens $300 million worth of tariffs on China made goods. Now think about how many of our Apple products China makes. Do you know how many time in our computer repair office we had to tell a customer “The part comes from China.”? It’s more than I want to think about. But now Apple gets an invitation to get out of there, and move to friendlier waters like Taiwan.
So why do I talk about this? How does this affect consumers like you and me? If Apple honors Gou’s request and moves to Taiwan, then it will definitely affect your prices at the Apple Stores. It probably will affect prices for the better. But it could have the opposite side. Personally, I hope Apple does what Gou is asking. Why continue to do business with people and with nations that seem to hate you? This is especially true when you have an ally like Gou inviting you to friendlier places. Taiwan Billionaire calls for Apple move from China. Will Apple do it?
