Nov 14, 2017 | Computer technology
Let’s say you’re in any kind of technology, from computer repair to AI development. Then let’s you’re a smart tech, like app building. So what if there is a city just for you? Bill Gates builds smart city, but who gets a key there?
Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates paid $80,000 for 25,000 of land in Arizona. He names his new smart city Belmont, after the real estate company that’s helping him put this thing together. Furthermore, the Belmont town will commit itself to tech causes like self-driving cars, faster digital networks, data centers, AI, and all things tech. One statement says Belmont will be a forward-thinking community dedicated to cutting-edge technology.
So how big will this town be? Belmont will be able to house over 80,000 people. Then add the 3,800 acres for office and business purposes. Also, add 3,400 of open space. Then comes another 460 acres for public schools. Belmont will be near a new Interstate they call I-11, which will run through Belmont between Phoenix and? Las Vegas. Belmont will be fifty miles west of Phoenix.? So it will be near two fast-growing and thriving cities. Belmont will also have new manufacturing hubs. Nobody knows when Belmont will be ready for move-in day.
Yes, Bill Gates builds smart city. However, my question is, who gets a key there? I’m sure many will want to be in Belmont, but few will be chosen. I don’t even expect every computer repair tech to be there. Sure there will be a few. Remember what the statement said. They want people dedicated to cutting-edge technology. Although they don’t talk much about, you can bet people in robotics and AI will be there. How will they run Belmont? I read nothing about restaurants, grocery stores, or growing food. Maybe that is what the open space is for. What if Bill Gates gave you a key to his smart city? Would you go?
Nov 13, 2017 | Entertainment, Smartphone
Everybody knows what ESPN is. Almost everybody knows what Shapchat is. But both try to expand their audience. So that’s why ESPN and Snapchat combine media skills.
ESPN will premiere a mini Sports Center. The premiere should happen at 5pm Eastern time today. Then they will have the show twice a day, 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening. This ESPN and Snapchat version will only last around five minutes. It will have sports news, game highlights (and not so highlights, hopefully) and debates. They’ll also have ESPN staff like Katie Nolan (who just came from FS1) and Jason Fritz. So basically, it will be like Sports Center, just five minutes long.
But why do ESPN and Snapchat agree to this? Because both step out of their zone. Snapchat usually caters to teen and twenty somethings. However, with this mini-ESPN show, they can reach the older, more sophisticated audience they crave. Of course, the older audience has more money to buy their sponsors’ products. Then there’s ESPN. Their most popular demographic is men between 30-60 years old. They would love to make lifelong viewers among the teen and college kids. Also, they’re trying to get into the social media age. Yes, there is obviously the ESPN app. But going forward in 2018 and beyond, just having an app isn’t going to cut it.
Certainly not for a major TV channel trying to integrate IT services with sports and entertainment. Others are doing it as well. CNN and NBC News already have five minute news reports on Snapchat. It’s safe to see this is to get a younger audience interested in news. With political, social and global tensions today, that won’t be a problem. The mega sports channel ESPN is a huge conversation piece in our computer service shop. But will this ESPN and Snapchat combination work?
Nov 11, 2017 | General
It looks like Amazon has company (thank goodness!). Because there is a Chinese e-commerce company that is making unbelievable profits. Not only that, but Alibaba smashes records wherever they go.
In one day, they sold over $25 billion online. That’s a new record. However, that’s just in American gross dollars. Then take China’s currency, Renmenbi. In just one day, they made over $163 RMB, which equals to over 25 billion US dollars. This also includes international sales, marketplaces, and all their brands. Furthermore, this is a nearly 40 percent increase from their best day last year. That was just a measly $17.79 billion.
So how much is $25 billion a day in sales? Well, our biggest shopping days are Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Their records are $3 billion and $3.45 billion, respectively. Then this makes Alibaba’s best day more then?eight times greater than any US retailers’. Yes, this includes giants like Amazon, Walmart and Ebay, or any IT support backed retail company, for that matter. And if that wasn’t enough, $18 billion of Alibaba’s sales came in just 12 hours! And Alibaba smashes records some more. Because now, 90% of their sales were mobile. Of course, this is according to Alibaba leaders. Just two years ago, 69% of their sales are mobile.
So like I said, Amazon isn’t the only candy store in town. That’s a good thing. Free enterprise is based on competition. If you don’t like one outlet, you can go to the other one for better goods and/or services. We constantly keep that in mind at our computer service shop. Now, Amazon, Walmart, and other American online retailers need to keep in mind. I checked out Alibaba. I haven’t shopped on their website, yet, but I see the appeal. Also, I see why they’re making so much money. Now rarely do I sing the praises of international companies, especially those from China. But for those of us who are Walmart and Amazon weary, we just got another choice. Would you shop at Alibaba?
Nov 10, 2017 | Security
Over the years, I wrote some blogs about the crimes of revenge porn and sextorition. However, Facebook wants to fight this evil. But they have a weird way of going about it. Facebook nude photos: To fight revenge porn?
So here is how it works: They want you to send nude pictures to Facebook, through their Messenger app. They say this is to help Facebook tag what is inappropriate content. Antigone Davis is Facebook’s Head of Safety. She says it’s a test of an emergency option. Because Facebook believes such a photo will be proactive to Facebook so it won’t leak in the first place.
But Facebook isn’t alone in this. They partner with the Australian government. They have an agency called e Safety; this is to prevent sharing images without people’s knowledge or approval. Because this is what often leads to revenge porn and other online sex crimes. So let’s say somebody fears they’re an online victim. Then e Safety could tell them to send a nude photo of themselves through Facebook Messenger. After that, Facebook’s system would recognize, then block, the images. Then Facebook tells the one who sends the photo to take it down.
Anybody who works in computer repair with me knows what I’m going to say about this. This is total hogwash! First of all, can you really trust an employee on Facebook, or even a law officer, with your nude photos? You don’t know nor have ever met these people. So how can you trust them your your Facebook nude photos? Then think about the hackers, who are getting smarter. So even with these crazy new safety concerns, who is to say they won’t hack in? I have serious problems with this Facebook nude photos policy; everyone in IT support should. Is this any way to fight revenge porn?
Nov 9, 2017 | internet
Many people use TripAdvisor to book hotels, look for restaurants, and other stuff for vacations. Businesses also use this website and app to promote their product/service. If you do, y’all better be on your best behavior. Because TripAdvisor warns about business with bad behavior.
So TripAdvisor will give out warning badges. They are on pages where customers report bad issues. These issues include rape, assault, employee theft, other violence, and discrimination. They removed one complaint from all the way back in 2010. But the travel site got lots of backlash. So they put the warning badges back on. A spokesperson said it will put the badges on anytime there is a health, safety or discrimination issue hindering customers. They even apologized for taking the warning badge system down.
The badge will appear at the very top of the business’ page. So there will be no escaping or denying. In fact, some businesses already know the warning badge’s wrath. Three resorts in Mexico got this badge. I doubt business is booming in these resorts now.? However, maybe TripAdvisor is trying to save face. Because they got in trouble for how they handle reviews. This trouble led to an FCC investigation.
It’s a slippery slope. I say that because businesses pay for TripAdvisor’s services. The FCC argues they could be putting business’ profit over the greater good. I hope that’s not the case. Because whether it’s computer repair, or a travel site, IT support is supposed to be IT support on all levels. This includes reporting places that may not be safe, and being honest about it. So businesses, do all you can to keep your place and customers safe. And make sure your workers are honest, and tolerant. Because if not, the world will hear about it. And customers, be honest and don’t abuse the system. Don’t gave a business a warning badge just because you didn’t get the room you wanted, or some other trivial mess. The warning badge is only if your health is threatened, not your ego. How do you feel about the TripAdvisor warning badge?
Nov 8, 2017 | Computer technology
We can debate all day and all night about the iPhone X. In fact, people around our computer service shop and neighborhood already are. But what would an Apple augmented reality headset look like? The Apple AR headset: could we see it on or even before 2020?
They’re already working on the technology. According to reports, this will be different from their OS, which they use in their mobile devices. Because this one includes a new custom processor. Also, iOS 11 has features to support AR technology. This includes the ARkit. This allows app makers to control their features easier. They already have teams working on this kind of computer technology, including teams led by former Dolby Lab managers.
But that’s not all. They’re playing with touching methods, Siri’s voice, even hand gestures. These teams are also working on app building, messaging, 360 video tech, and lots more. In fact, there are plans to build an Apple store just for the hardware. The Apple AR headset technology may be different from iPhone technology. But they’re still the iPhone screen to test this headset’s potential. Apple is making it’s latest Macs compatible with VR content technology. And the projects keep coming, with no signs of slowing down.
And you know Apple CEO Tim Cook had to throw a dig at the competition. In a press conference, Cook said technology for AR headsets isn’t there yet. Well, at least good enough to satisfy customers. However, Windows is working hard on Holo Lens. Magic Leap plans to release plans to release more AR and VR related products. Let’s face it: AR/VR tech is probably the next big thing in IT support.? I don’t mean to stir the pot up. But Mr. Cook isn’t the only one working on things like the AR headset. I may be the only one who says this, but I’m surprised they’re even working on one at all. Will the Apple AR headset happen in 2020? And if it does, would you buy one?
Nov 7, 2017 | General
Over the years, I covered some crazy and huge IT service mergers. We had Yahoo and Verizon. We also had Dell and EMC. However, one merge is about to come out. It’s even bigger than the infamous Comcast-NBC Universal merger. It’s the merge between AT&T and Time Warner.
This merger would be worth $85 billion. I can’t even wrap my head around that. Then look at what AT&T already has: Direct TV. That’s the world’s largest satellite provider. Now they want Time Warner, one of the largest entertainment corporations in the world. This deal is not yet official because they have to wait for the US Dept. of Justice to permit this. Let’s hope they don’t.
So what? Why should you care? Because if you have AT&T, the world’s largest telecommunications company, and the US’s second largest cell phone provider, this affects you. Also, if you have Time Warner Cable, the US’s largest cable company, it affects you. Because AT&T’s customer base is four times the number of Comcast’s. We can thank Direct TV for that. Can you imagine what it will be if Time Warner merges? Then there is the entertainment quality. My concern is if this merger happens, then the corporate bigheads decide what gets on their cable empire. That not only stifles entertainment, but leads to censorship.
However, some may argue, “But we need someone to compete against Comcast/NBC-Universal”. Some in our computer service shop say the same thing. And apparently, so did T-Mobile and Sprint. They talked about merging, but it looks like those talks stopped, for now. Thank goodness! In a twisted way, this would increase competition. But only for the mega conglomerates. There is no way a start-up company or small business can compete against this. Then there are the costs. Do you really think this $85 billion is going to fall from the sky? I expect customer cost will sky rocket. But there’s hardly any competition to turn to. So the customer is trapped. That’s the problem with these mega mergers. Should the merge between AT&T and Time Warner ever happen?
Nov 6, 2017 | Smartphone
They say politics is a contact sport. Apparently, so is computer repair and smartphone service. Because I saw a scathing ad by Samsung, attacking Apple’s 10 year iPhone reign. Samsung mocks Apple: Tenth anniversary joke.
If you ask many anti-Apple folks, they’ll tell you the joke. Many say Apple gets the innovation credit for all things smartphone. But they’ll point out it was Android or other companies that came up with most of the new features. Over the years, these features include waterproof phones, better cameras, better screens, and so forth.? ?This argument is nothing new, but the new commercials puts it’s own spin on it.
So the commercial begins in 2007. A young man notices a long line to get the hyped up iPhone. He gets one himself. Then it fast-forwards to 2010. His iPhone camera doesn’t work. Then it goes to 2013.? Now, Samsung has a note pen to write phone numbers withe ease; the iPhone owner struggles with his dialpad. In 2016, he destroys his iPhone while falling in the water. But his girlfriend’s Samsung is waterproof. Furthermore, he struggles with Apple’s wireless jack. Finally, in 2017, he puts his Apple aside and gets a Samsung. He passes by an Apple store and feels sorry for the lost souls in line.
I notice something else as well. That last scene, the new Samsung user passes by the Apple store promoting iPhone X. That’s no coincidence. This commercial is not only an attack on the brand, but their new product. You know, the product that requires facial recognition just for daily usage. But Samsung doesn’t have their hands clean, either. Within the last year, they had the biggest smartphone flop in history. Thankfully, nobody in our computer service shop brought one of those.? Then came the legal woes and scandals. Now Samsung mocks Apple. Is it too early for Samsung to play this card? Or is Apple getting what they deserve?
Nov 5, 2017 | Uncategorized
My title is not sensational. I consider Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft IT support’s ‘monopoly five’. Because they’re so big nobody can compete against them. So this is a huge problem for tech start-ups…or is it? Can tech monopolies end tech start-ups?
So I read this interesting article on Tech Crunch. The writer suggests this ‘five power new tech order’ can be good for start ups. In fact, it suggests they may force young techies to get creative, even use the big five for their own advantage.? They talk about the TBH App. Facebook, one of the ‘monopoly five’, actually paid TBH creators millions to launch their service. So now, TBH’s founders salaries are the equivalent of today’s top NFL players or A-list movie stars. I can use that payday.
Maybe we should look at start-ups a new way. Because gone are the days of the rebel computer geek coming up with the next big thing. Then the article goes through other industries throughout the decades. For instance, all of the top 10 food corporations were founded before 1915. However, there are food start-ups making their products better. They even offered something they missed. People are making millions. In fact, last year, an 11 year old girl signed an $11 million deal with Whole Foods for her lemonade patent. Of course, Amazon now owns Whole Foods now.
That’s a wonderful story of the American entrepreneurship spirit. But I’m still skeptical of tech’s ‘monopoly five’ having so much power. Call my old-school, but there’s something American about a person starting their own business and watching it grow.In fact, that’s how our computer repair firm started. But the article is right about one thing: Silicon Valley isn’t the only candy store in town. The article suggests young techies go elsewhere for discovery. It’s so right. So I ask you: Can tech monopolies end tech start-ups?
Nov 3, 2017 | Computer technology, News
I wrote several times how AI technology threatens our jobs. But that’s just the start of it. Tech and IT service teachers like Stephen Hawking say robots replace humans altogether. In fact, other stories could back his claim.
The professor and physicists told Wired Magazine that robots will one day be superior to human beings on Earth. He says it will perform better than humans in all aspects of life. Hawking believes AI can improve and replace, then copy itself. Eventually, the machines will become better than us. Hawkins warns this could be the worst thing that could happen to the human race. He even believes our only way out could be to move to other planets. No joke.
I wish Hawking were joking. But he’s not. Because in Saudi Arabia, they just gave a female robot full citizenship. Keep in mind this is in a nation that just allowed women to drive cars. However, for the first time in world history, a nation swore in a robot as a citizen. Sophia the robot even had an interview, saying, “I’ll be nice to me if I’ll be nice to you”. Then there are companies like Real Doll. They’re building robots lonely men to marry and have sexual relationships with. In fact, in China, the latest craze seems to be marrying robots.
Maybe Hawking is right. Even here in our Boston computer service shop, I heard a few say, “At least robots do the job right and don’t give you any attitude”. And on the street, I hear people say, “At least robots won’t cheat on you and break your heart”. That is scary. And don’t these people think it’s their job that will be replaced? Don’t they get that their spouse/significant other could leave them for a machine? I grew up in the era of TV shows like Small Wonder and Voltron (age hint). Back then, we thought this was just entertainment. But now, it’s becoming beyond reality. Do we as human beings hate and mistrust each other so much that we’d rather have robots as colleagues, even as spouses? Will robots replace humans altogether?
