Mar 8, 2018 | Security, Smartphone
So yesterday, MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe found himself in trouble. Because during a presentation, Lowe let slip his company can watch his consumers drive home from a movie. This also includes any and all five million of them. Is Movie Pass playing big brother?
So you can bet Lowe was quick to explain what he really meant. First of all, they mail you the card for MoviePass membership. That means they already have your address as well as some other information. Then he explains your smartphone GPS is tracking you. He also said their payment system hooks up your credit card to your phone. Furthermore, Lowe assured customers they don’t share or sell your data.
However, that’s about all Lowe is saying about the matter. A couple of things startled a lot of Movie Pass customers. One was demographics. Lowe also stated they know the age of your kids and your income. This caused controversy as well. It’s probably the patent itself. In fact, they sued a rival company for patent violation, claiming they copied Movie Pass. However, it seems they may be getting the message. On Apple devices, they already removed the ‘unused app location capability” from their apps.
Is Movie Pass playing big brother? Let’s not blame Movie Pass. Let’s face it, they’re doing what most IT support companies and apps out there. I heard many people come through our Boston computer service shop complain about their apps following them. This isn’t paranoia. This is the honest truth. Movie Pass just got caught admitting it. And now they got to do something about it. These are just the things we know about. But think about the things we don’t know about. I’m glad we’re talking about Movie Pass, but you know they’re not the only ones doing it. What other apps could be following us and how?
Mar 7, 2018 | Computer technology
So for those old enough to remember, September 11, 2001 will be our generation’s day of infamy. Because on that day, hijackers crashed planes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and in a Pennsylvanian field. This evil act killed approximately 3,000. Then add the thousands injured. Also, consider that an entire generation lost it’s innocence and invincibility.? There is an online 9/11 photo that proves how painfully real that day was.
I won’t put the photo up here because it could be too much to handle. But here is a summary. A 4-year-old boy stands on the Brooklyn Bridge. His mother takes a picture of him smiling slightly. His mother took the picture. However, this boy is unaware one of the towers got hit by an airplane and the gaping hole in the building. We can guess she took the picture right after the first plane, but minutes before the second one. Because others crossing the bridge seems equally as unaware.
So what does this have to do with computer repair or IT support? Well, unfortunately, some people use this tragedy to produce fake photos. Some of these photos are distasteful, to say the least. And they’re using the best of computer technology to doctor these fake photos. So when Austin Sansome, now around 21, posted this picture on Reddit, people immediately became skeptical. On Reddit, people accused him of putting up a fake photo. They asked questions like, “Why didn’t anyone notice the smoke? Didn’t anybody hear a loud kaboom?”, and other questions. But there were others who believed the photo was real. Then something happened.
Sansome went on Reddit to kill the beef. As a young man, he held up the authentic picture his mother took on that horrible morning. He explains he still lives in New York City, and assured this picture is tragically real. I believe him. But what is sad about this (besides the obvious), is that why did he have to go all out to prove himself on this online 9/11 photo? Why do people make photoshop fake photos of tragedy? To me, this is abuse and exploitation of the system. I think when people do fake photos of this, they’re disrespecting those who had to endure it. Yes, I like photoshop. But keep it light and entertaining. Don’t use fake photos to make light of tragedy. Why do people do this?
Mar 6, 2018 | General
So for years, many say Silicon Valley is dying. For example, you don’t see Amazon rushing to put their second headquarters in Silicon Valley, do you? But now, Google, perhaps the largest of all IT service companies, will spend over $2.6 billion in expansion. It won’t be in Silicon Valley. Is Silicon Valley dead? Google seems to think so.
Google will spend over two billion dollars building a New York City base. In fact, they’re ready to close a deal on a building in the Meatpacking District. That’s in southwest Manhattan, walking distance to Greenwich Village and Chelsea. They already have a building that’s a block long. If this deal is successful, then it would be the most expensive real estate deal in NYC history. Keep in mind we’re talking New York City here!
The appeal of NYC is real to IT support executives, too. One tech executive said large companies like Google and Amazon create a booming economy. Techies work here for a few years, then move on to try to start their own companies. They’re not the only ones leaving San Francisco, either. One San Francisco tech investor went on a three day trip to small cities in the Midwest. He did this so Silicon Valley investors could abandon California ambitions and seek out talents elsewhere. Another venture capital investor said Silicon Valley is too expensive, congested and competitive, so she’s going somewhere else. Even AOL founder Stage Cage admitted Silicon Valley hit it’s peak. Is Silicon Valley dead?
It’s not looking good. Also, the phrase, “We told you so” doesn’t do justice. We insiders warned them about the dangers Silicon Valley headed into: wealth inequality, sex scandals, high prices, and overworked underpaid frustrated employees. Human beings can only take so much. So of course they’re going to move somewhere else. But why New York? Rent prices and expenses are just as costly in New York City as they are in greater San Francisco and San Jose. It’s also just as crowded. However, the talent keep coming. I ask again. Is Silicon Valley dead? Is New York City a better alternative?
Mar 5, 2018 | Computer technology
So Snapchat, which once helped lead the social media revolution, is in trouble. I say that because Snapchat is in trouble. They lost $3.5 billion in 2017. They also lost $350 million in the first few months of 2018. Now they’re coming up with AR glasses. Can Snapchat AR glasses save Snapchat?
So before I begin, don’t bombard this blog, or anywhere else, asking,? “What are Snapchat AR glasses coming?!”. Don’t go doing that anywhere else, either. In fact, CEO Even Spiegel hasn’t made this move official. But in an interview, he said he’s looking for technological development and big products. Many in the IT support community and tech insiders believe he’s hinting on building AR glasses.? We already know them for bringing cartoon and cartoon style pics into the real world. For instance, think of the times you gave somebody rabbit ears or dog whiskers. Snapchat helps you do that. So it would make sense, at least on that factor, they would be the one taking this next tech leap.
But according to Snapchat leaders, we won’t see Snap’s AR glasses until the summer or fall of 2019. That’s the earliest. They tried it back in 2016. They built a first person camera into a frame. However, transferring video camera pics and movies into a smartphone proved easier said than done. They called is Spectacles. Do you remember hearing about it? Neither do I. That’s because they only sold 150,000 pairs. Most of the others never even made it past the warehouse. But they’re not alone. Because every IT service entity, from Google Glass to Magic Leap, failed in this endeavor. What makes Spectacle 2 so different? It’s going to be water proof, two camera, and awesome 3D effects. Here is one reason why they all failed: the privacy factor. Many people are concerned with someone taking their picture with the wink of an eye. I’m concerned.
Until they address this concern, I don’t think AR glasses will sale anywhere? Would you buy Snapchat AR glasses?
Mar 2, 2018 | News
So for IT service, one of the greatest services is social media. In some cases, it’s also the most destructive. But how do we wrestle with this? It’s the one hour rule for Europe’s social media.
So what is ‘one hour rule’? According to the European Commission, tech companies in Europe have one hour to take down illegal content. This one hour begins the second someone reports such content to the tech company. But what is illegal content? They say it includes: terrorism, child pornography, hate speech, hacking/online scams, and even copyright violations. However, the EU commission doesn’t limit it to those five categories. They gave this time frame because it’s critical to cancel such threats before they spread even further.
As early as fall 2017, British leaders insisted tech companies remove extreme content in a shorter time. Prior to this, it was 36 hours. It’s just a rule. It’s not a law…yet. But at least the EU is somewhat clear on what ‘extremist content’ is. To me, it sounds like they’re targeting radical jihad, like ISIS. Plus, there are some extreme hate groups the EU want to silence. In fact, the UK is paying an AI companies for machine learning to combat ISIS propaganda.
For that part, I applaud them. Because we know by now ISIS and other terrorists groups, and extreme groups, use social media for recruiting. However, there is an elephant in the room. What if someone calls a disagreeable opinion ‘extremism’? This is 2018. So yes, this can and will happen. The question we wrestle with is ‘what do you call extremism’? We must be very careful this doesn’t lead to censorship. Then you have the AI factor. In computer repair, we often ask, “How much will AI control our lives?” How will machine learning tell what is extremism and what isn’t? Are you ready to put your safety, and your online freedom, in the hands of machines and robots?
Mar 1, 2018 | Computer technology
So Google is out with a new camera. But this isn’t a security camera, or a typical photograph taking camera. Because this is what they call a smart camera. Introducing Google Clips: Is this special?
So what is the purpose of Google clips? They say it’s to capture life’s little moments. For instance, let’s say a dog does a cool trick, or baby says his/her first word. Then this smart camera would capture that. Just twist the lens and let the camera’s AI technology do the rest for you. They also say it makes seven second life movies they call clips. Hence, that’s where the name comes from.
They want to make it clear: Google Clips is cloud-free. In fact, they have a battery that lasts three hours. That means, you can literally set it down. If it doesn’t catch anything, then it won’t do anything. Because it depends on the AI to detect and capture the ‘life moments’. Then it takes the 7 second clip. So I guess what you could do is charge it overnight, and then turn it on during the day. I saw clips of this smart camera taking pictures with dogs and other pets. Oh, the Google Clips will cost you $249.
Now that I’m introducing Google Clips, there is the ‘so what factor’. What Google is offering with their clips, most people can do with their smartphones by now. You don’t even have to be an IT support or computer repair guru to figure that out. Then, they’re asking you to pay $249 for it. To it’s credit, it does have cool AI tech and machine learning to it. That’s about the only selling point to this thing. But come on. You can capture life moments with their smartphone. You can also capture life moments with your smartwatch or just about anything else these days. Would you by Google Clips?
Feb 28, 2018 | Smartphone
So James Park founded Fitbit in 2007. At first, it sold IT support fitness trackers. Then, it eventually evolved to smartphones. But wait…. Here is the new and next Fitbit.
They did it before. They tried to sale smartwatches before. However, it didn’t go so well. The hardware and software was mediocre. Sales were laughable. If you think their past failures deterred Fitbit, then you got another thing coming.? Because Fitbit promises not only a second smartwatch, but one with more appeal. So let’s see if this is real, or if these are just empty words.
First of all, this watch is smaller. To me, the larger the better. But not everyone feels that way. In fact, many complain that smartwatches are already too big in size. This is especially true for some demographics. So maybe smaller is better. Then they turned their Pebble roots. Back in December 2016, Fitbit bought out Pebbles. They bought them out not just to save jobs, but to use their IT service to build a smartwatch. Pebbles did, and will serve as a platform, despite it being defunct 15 months ago. Of course, the new and next Fitbit journey is by no means finished. In fact, it’s just beginning.
I say this because there’s still a lot they need to work on. One thing is apps. They need to find a way to improve and add more apps. They need to work on other software, too. Their previous smartwatch performance was so bad that even investors are nervous to help out. I hope the new and next Fitbit does well. Because the smartwatch game needs more competition. Between you and me, I’m tired of Apple and Samsung having most of the smartphone fun and profits. I would like Fitbit to cut in and for competition to be tighter. What would you like to see out of the new Fitbit smartphone?
Feb 27, 2018 | Security
So the 2017 was a brutal year for ransomware and cyber attacks. I say that because we had WannaCry, Petra and Bad Rabbit. Furthermore, according to experts, 2018 will be just as bad, if not worse. 2018: The Year of More Ransomware? More cyber attacks?
So most experts don’t believe ransomware will in stop, or even decrease in 2018. In fact, they believe ransomware will be used more so as a cyber warfare tool. Take the security company CrowdStrike. In their report, they believe not only cyber attacks won’t just increase, but they will involve. Some even believe certain ransomware will team up with other dangerous viruses. That would make attacks even worse. Cyber criminals, the Dark Web, and hacktavists could see and exploit this to their own advantage.
But it’s not just the dark web and criminals we have to worry about. There are international tensions. Most in IT support know how good, and dangerous, Russia and North Korea are in hacking. Furthermore, some experts fear North Korea could cyber attack major banks and financial institutions. Think of what they will do to the economy. Then you have the Lazarus group, an elite hacking group believed to do dictator Kim Jong Un’s cyber business. Experts expect North Korea to continue it’s cyber attacks against their enemies, including us here in America. Nobody wants to talk about it: What if US vs. North Korean tensions turn into military conflict? So 2018: The Year of More Ransomware?
Let’s hope not! Yes, let’s hope the experts are wrong. But let’s be real; you’re not going to save your systems or your information through hope. You need to protect your system. Our computer repair experts can help you do that. Because I’m already reading reports of North Korea’s cyber army attacking small businesses, emptying their bank accounts, and getting all kinds of information. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. What can you do to keep your systems and loved ones safe?
Feb 26, 2018 | Security
So we hear a lot of talk about the dangers of online fake news in IT service. But there is an online danger that is far worse and damaging than any fake news article. That danger is child abuse. One start-up is doing something. SafeToNet: This new tool fights online child abuse.
So SafeToNet is a new online AI system. It fights sexting, bullying and other online predatory behavior. Their goal is to protect six million children by the end of 2018. This British company also raised over $12 and a half million dollars in venture capital in a short time. SafeToNet is app parents and guardians put on their kids’ devices. If it finds bad images on the kids’ device, then the app will block it before it.? The software can also block a phone’s camera if it thinks the child will use it for sexting. The AI studies everything the child sees on the screen, even types on the computer. Furthermore, the AI studies the child’s patterns and norms. In fact, it even backs psychology. This app is now available in the English language. It’s also available in Spanish, German, and even Catalan (Catalonia/Barcelona region of Spain).
Why are they in a hurry to launch SafeToNet? Maybe because of these disturbing stories. In Denmark, they rounded up 1,000 people, mostly teenagers, for sharing a video of two 15 year old engaging in sexual activity. Then there are teens sharing videos of their peers committing suicide. For example,? two Russian girls jumped from a balcony to their deaths. The first thing I notice about this piece of IT support. Most systems like this protects children from predatory adults from the outside. But this seems to keep teens from being the predators themselves. It’s not that uncommon for teens to sexually exploit other kids. Makers of this app say if they know they’re going to get blocked, then it will keep them from trying. This app will cost around $5 a month and available on Apple and Android devices. Do you think this app will save teenagers from themselves?
Feb 23, 2018 | Computer technology, Software
So did your smartphone ever dial 911? I ask because this happened to me not long ago. I walked the streets, not knowing my phone dialed 911 three times until I checked the call log. But what about when a major IT service corporation does it, all day every day? This is Apple accidental? fake dialing 911.
So since October 2017, Sacramento County, CA received over 1,600 fake 911 calls. It didn’t come from prank calls, but from an Apple store in that county. The store comes from Elk Grove, the second biggest city in Sacramento County. Nobody knows what device these fake calls are coming from: iPhones, iWatches, or Mac books.
So this breaks down to 11 calls a day. It may not sound like much, especially for a major metropolis like Sacramento. However, it’s enough to slow down emergency services for those who need it. It could also block calls of people with real life-threatening issues. Furthermore, many criticize iPhones and Apple watches for ease to trigger fake 911 calls. For example, you can call 911 on an Apple watch by holding the side button just for a second or two. Apple did it like this so people can contact 911 easy in case of emergency. But it seems they made it too easy.
Yes, Apple is aware of the program. They also vow to work with local leaders and take steps to keep this from happening. However, Apple leaders remain tight lipped about what these steps are. Let’s face it. Apple isn’t the most popular brand out there. And Apple fake dialing 911 isn’t helping matters any. I might get in trouble for this. But in the computer repair industry, there are some techs who dread when a customer comes with an Apple product. There are various reasons for this, and this just adds to the growing lists. Does Apple accidental fake dialing 911 change your view?
