Aug 24, 2017 | Computer technology
The statistics are alarming. Around 40 million Americans suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. Also, 300 million worldwide fight this daily struggle. But here in America, only half get the help they need. However, Google is trying to change that. Google Search fights depression and stigmas.
So now, Google Search offers a questionnaire. ?It has official medical backing; it also answers questions you may have about depression. This isn’t exactly a diagnosis, but you can take it to your doctor and take the first step of getting help. At the very lease, it raises awareness and helps break the glass ceiling. Furthermore, this questionnaire is anonymous. This takes out any shame the person may have.
Google isn’t the first IT support conglomerate to help fight depression and other mental illnesses. Other companies are working around the clock to provide information and treatment. Because it can literally be a matter of life and death. For example, Facebook tests AI to detect suicidal comments. When they see it, they can direct the Facebook user to local treatment facilities. Then, Instagram offers support to friends who have users who put up concerning posts. Google Search fights depression by making sure you get the right?information!
Now I know there has been a lot of talk about fake news and information. Sometimes fake news can be nothing, and even humorous. But there is nothing humorous about depression and anxiety disorders. So in this case, fake news can cost people their lives, literally. So I hope Google Search and others are serious about getting people the right information at the right time. I also hope these efforts fights stigmas and stereotypes. Look, this world today can push anybody to the edge of the cliff, no matter what field you’re in. Even some of the most respected celebrities of our generation struggles with these issues. It’s good to get help, talk to someone, or seek counseling. I’m glad Google Search is making it easier. What more can the tech industry do to fight depression and stigmas?
Aug 23, 2017 | General
Robot technology is a big subject in IT support. In America, they’re replacing fast food workers. Then in Japan, lonely guys can marry robots. But you don’t hear about China and robots, do you? Maybe we should. China’s robot revolution is here.
So China installs and uses more robots than any nation on Earth. In fact, take other leading robot nations like the US, South Korea and Japan. They use only half the number of robots that China does. Also, by 2019, they say China’s robot revolution will double. But notice this doesn’t impact China’s wages, or so they say. However, it will mess up the world’s economy before too long.
I get it. Robots often do the job better than humans. Furthermore, I get that robots don’t give you incompetence or attitude problems the way humans do. But economists say, and I agree, they will mess up your domestic economy. We can thank the Made in China 2025 mandate for this rising robot culture. Because they believe by letting robots take over the factory lines, that will fill in the gap of aging workers. They’re buying more robots and putting them in sectors like food, electronics, logistics, even law enforcement. They hope the robot economy will reach $11 billion a year by 2020.
So how will this doom the economy? Well, more nations are in demand for robots. So if more companies get them, they’ll follow suit and kick human workers to the curb. China is the world’s second biggest economy. That means they’re one of the major players on the global economic stage. I guess one could say, “As China goes, so goes the nation”. Then if the trend goes global, that means more global people sitting at home, depending on governments just to survive. Because, you know, robots have their jobs now. Think about the strain that will put on the world. How else will China’s robot revolution doom the global economy?
Aug 22, 2017 | scam, Security
So today is ‘The Fappening’ day. They call it this because three years ago, hackers broke in many celebrities’ iCloud accounts. Then, they blasted their most intimate photos online for the world to see. But today, they’re at it again. Nude celebrity photos are leaked…again.
Several reports say hackers leaked new nude photos of A-listers. Such celebrities include Tiger Woods, Kristen Stewart, Miley Cyrus and Lindsey Vonn. However, guess who many believe the culprit to be? The suspect website is…wait for it…Celebrity Jihad. And the outrage isn’t taking long to produce. Tiger Woods’ people already threaten lawsuits if hackers don’t take these photos down. Also, another hacker is doing time for leaking Cyrus’ and Stewart’s pictures.
Furthermore, hacking victims aren’t just American celebrities. Hackers broke into British model Danielle Lloyd’s pictures. But they didn’t stop there. They leaked them to an adults only website. Lloyd already called police about the matter. Somehow, hackers got them from her private phone. One of her people said a ‘jihad’ website was behind it. The person also said this website terrorized her for a while now. But they didn’t say if this was Celebrity Jihad. However, you can’t deny this pattern. This came at the worst of times. I say this because Lloyd is expecting her first child with her fiance. She doesn’t need this kind of stress right now.
Leaking nude celebrity photos is a serious crime. Did you know hackers can get years in prison for leaking naked pictures? It doesn’t matter if they’re famous or not. Yes, these heinous actions can catch you. And yes, these actions can get you in horrible trouble. I don’t know who in their right mind would want to name their website Celebrity Jihad. But just that mere names reveals the evil and madness that is behind their hearts and minds. Apparently, they don’t stop and embarrassing their victims. They also terrorize them. What can we do to keep safe?
Aug 21, 2017 | Computer technology
Are you ready for the total eclipse? For two hours, from Oregon to South Carolina, the moon will move between Earth and sun. Then, in much of the country, it will go dark, especially in totality areas. But what does this have to do with technology? Here’s how technology helps you watch the total eclipse.
So take men like astrophysicist Henry Winter. He talked to a blind co-worker about the eclipse. Then he go an idea, and put it into action. Winter and his colleagues came up with Eclipse Soundscapes. That’s an app that helps visually impaired people enjoy the coming eclipse. Also, it’s already on Apple and Google stores. So how will Eclipse Soundscapes do this?
They’ll do it through spoken description. There will be a voice over option either through a smartphone or through app recording. This app will give a play-by-play of what the eclipse is doing. Furthermore, it will be so descriptive that it will feel like they’re sitting in a totality location. It also includes a special map. This map uses touch to on the sun’s picture. When they touch the picture, they will hear noises. This allows the user to interpret the eclipse in his/her own way. Winter and his team hopes to use Eclipse Soundscapes for future space based events.
That’s just one example of how IT support and technology mark the eclipse. There are others. For example, Google’s front page has a cartoon of two aliens playing with the moon, creating an eclipse. You know your Facebook and Twitter pages will have people covering it, especially if you’re in the totality zone. On You Tube, countless channels also cover the event. And of course, you can watch coverage on your smartphone or streaming network. These are just some of the ways technology helps you watch the total eclipse. Will you be watching?
Aug 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
I try to avoid talking about the deadly tragedy that happened in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend. But it’s not going away. For over 20 years, the Internet served as a free speech haven for any kind of speech, good or bad. But in the wake of Charlottesville, and the ever-increasing social/political divide, that may change. So now it’s Internet vs hatemongers.
I title this because more and more IT services are banning such extremism. For example, Airbnb banned white supremacists as hosts and as customers. OKCupid is kicking them out of their dating services. Downloading music services like Spotify banned hate music from all play lists. Then there’s PayPal and Apple Pay. They banned the business of all who use them to trade ‘white power’ products, like swastikas. So they’ll have to trade such hateful products elsewhere. Even Google is getting in the act. Monday, they announced they will no longer provide Internet service to Daily Stormer. Daily Stormer is a neo-Nazi website. Cloudfare is following suit. But some worry about what impact this will have on free speech. A group called Electric Frontier Foundation talked about how this could impact free speech in the future.
First of all, I am glad ISP’s and others in IT support are standing up to these hatemongers. They’re not only ones to use the Internet to promote evil. Terrorist groups like ISIS do the same thing, even show videos of them serving ice cream. But Electric Frontier Foundation also has a point. What if they don’t stop with hatemongers? What if they ban anything they may offend anyone at all? For example, what if they banned certain TV shows because they offend others? Or what if they ban certain preachers because they offend different groups. Like I said, I applaud them for their actions against extreme groups. But on the other hand, what will they consider ‘extreme’ next? In the fight of Internet vs Hatemongers, who will be next?
Aug 18, 2017 | Entertainment
I’m old enough to remember video stores and rentals. You had to wait months after the movie’s theater run ended. Then, it might make the store shelf. But now, you can get your movies in weeks, if Apple has anything to say about it. Can Hollywood and Apple take out movie theaters?
Because some Hollywood studios might blatantly forget about cinema protocol and offer digital rentals within weeks after the movies. In fact, Apple and Comcast are in talks with Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures to make this happen. Both Hollywood and Apple agree to put together a movie download system. This system will cost us $30-$50 a month.
Furthermore, they could come to a deal by early 2018. Also, they could have us downloading movies just two weeks after they come out of theaters. But what about movie theater chains? Well, from what I hear, all they will get is a choice. That choice is agree to a deal or be left out in the cold altogether. Some movie theaters talk of boycotting films that you can download so quickly. Don’t think is going to push theaters in decline. They’re already there. Movie tickets went down 10 percent this summer. Most major film companies are in on this. Except for one.
Disney won’t take part. Because they believe their movies, especially the small handful (like Star Wars series) mega money makers, totally depend on the big screen. But nobody can deny that more people are staying home than going to the movies. So far this summer, the only real box-office winner has been Wonder Woman. So Disney depend on a few major, mega hits per year. However, most studios aren’t that lucky. Something needs to be done because the movie theater is dying a slow death. Personally, I’d tell them to lower prices a bit, but hey, what do I know? Maybe it’s time for this Hollywood and Apple experiment. Can it hurt?
Aug 17, 2017 | Wireless
Everyone knows the AI assistant is the next big thing in computer tech today. But Google Home is taking it to a new level. So how would you like Google Home to make calls for you…without your smartphone? Google Home’s voice calling make it’s debut.
Yes, this new system can place voice calls without a cellphone. Also, this new tool is now available in the US and Canada. It can support several users at one time. So let’s say you and a sibling are trying to reach a different person. This machine can know your contacts and will call the person of your choice. So that avoids confusion.
But you will need some kind of Google account, whether it be through You Tube, an Android smartphone, anything Google. Even a GMail account will do. However, the more contacts you have, the better Google Home will serve you. And here’s is the good part: It’s simple to use. All you have to do is say, “Hey Google, call (name a name)”. Domestic calls are free and easy. But for international calls, you need a Project Fi. Or, get ready to pay a lot of unnecessary fees. However, there’s one more thing. The voice calling may not drop on your system today. In some cases, it may take a few days, but that’s typical of most things Google.
In fact, that’s typical most things technology. I don’t know how well this is going to work. However, they are distancing themselves from Echo and other AI assistants. That’s what anybody in IT support needs to do. Tech experts say Google Home’s voice calling should work without a hitch. I hope so. They started promoting this in may, and now it’s August. At least it’s easy to set up. Just ask the speaker to set it up for you. But is it worth setting up?
Aug 16, 2017 | Entertainment
I remember a time when we only had four channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS (public television). But wow, things change. Because today, you can watch TV on Netflix, Hulu, even on Amazon TV. So Apple wants in. Let’s talk about Apple, a billion dollars and Hollywood.
Sources say Apple has a billion dollars budget for the next year. That budget is to produce it’s own shows, whether it be TV or movies. In fact, Apple can produce, even buy out, as many as 10 shows in the near future. We’re not talking about second rate shows they do in mama’s basement, either. Because they expect these shows to be as good as the hit show Game of Thrones.
Apple is also bringing in the Hollywood heavy hitters.?Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg will lead this charge. They just came from Sony, and went right to work. They immediately hired. WGN President Matt Cherniss to oversee this new and daunting project. Furthermore, these three are meeting with Hollywood agencies about which shows Apple could buy out. One billion may seem like a lot, but in Hollywood production, it’s really not. Game of Thrones can costs up to $10 million an episode to make. ?If that’s what kind of shows they want to produce, then they really have to go some.
Money isn’t the only obstacle. Competition is. Amazon and Netflix has a big piece of the pie. And they make around $25 billion in revenue. This might be a good omen for Apple. Here in our Boston computer service shop, we talk about Netflix and Hulu, and HBO shows even more than the original channels. So this provides an ample opportunity for Apple. And they’re bringing in the right people for it. If you want to be the best, I guess you need to recruit the best. Apple, A billion dollars and Hollywood is a huge gamble. Will it pay off?
Aug 15, 2017 | Software, Wireless
The past several days are not good for Android/Google. Last weekend, they fought a spyware that got into your device. Then, I read about a glitch that messes up reminders. Android Wear Glitches: This is so bad timing.
This glitch is in the Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch. Smartwatch owners, not Android leaders, complain of bugs messing up the software. Furthermore, some say recent updates are causing these Android wear glitches. And then there are the watches that hardly work at all. All you can do is basic Internet searches like on an old PC. But some say these glitches won’t even let you control your timer.
But this isn’t the first or only problem with Android Wear 2.0. Many complain of their watch making false reminders. Customers thought Android fixed the problem with a patch. But apparently not. Because owners still claim some of their reminders are still missing. So some may say, “Oh, that’s just a minor thing. That’s nothing”. This is more serious than you think. What if you miss a job interview or deadline because your smartphone reminder doesn’t work? Worse yet, what if you forget to take your critical medication because your reminders were acting up? Now some may say, “They should remember that stuff anyway”. But remember how attached we are to smart technology today.
Google assures the public they’re fixing this Android wear glitches. They insists they the glitches will be repaired soon. But I think this is falling on deaf ears. How may times do they hear this? And yet, this is happening again and again. In computer repair, if people have the same mistakes over and over, then people get suspicious. The timing is so bad. Because the smartwatch business already isn’t doing so hot. Then, Apple is coming out with their smartwatch soon. Will the Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch survive?
Aug 14, 2017 | Security
The past week was very busy for America, from worries about North Korea to riots in Charlottesville, Virginia. But hackers were busy too. I say this because they infected the Android/Google store with SonicSpy. SonicSpy on Android: This is a consumer alert.
So why is SonicSpy so dangerous? Because it records your calls and text messages. It can also send calls, send messages, and monitor records at the hackers’ request. In fact, it can perform 73 different tasks; all these tasks have bad intentions. Recently, Android researchers found three versions of this spyware. They are soniac, hulk messenger, and troy chat.
But there is good news. Google removed these bad apps. However, there is bad news. There is fear that people downloaded these apps thousands of times already. For example, they downloaded soniac as many as 5,000 times. What SonicSpy does is hide from the victim. Then it connects to the control server and latches to the Telegram app. It shares the same code with other spyware that hit Android products in the recent past. Eventually, the hackers use the spyware to do just that, spy and get your information. Or they just take control of your phone altogether. Some say this virus originated from Iraq, one of the most turbulent nations in the world today.
Although they remove the spyware, experts warn they could come up with another batch and start again. They’re right. Not only that, they’re getting smarter, more desperate and more determined. There are 14 billion Android users in the world, myself included. Very few become victims to this. Here in our Boston computer service shop, we don’t have any Sonic Spy complaints…yet. And we don’t know who is behind this kind of spyware. We probably will never know. With all that’s going on, do you think they chose the timing because of such distractions?
