May 6, 2019 | News, Smartphone
So, do you take Uber or Lyft to and from work every day? Then you should start looking for other ways to get there. Because Uber and Lyft drivers threaten strike.
Yes, drivers are planning on striking this weekend. The reason in because of low pay and poor working conditions, according to the IPO filing. Also, drivers demand better pay, better job security, and better proceeds. For example, they want 80-85% of proceeds to go to the driver. So here is the plan. On Wednesday the 8th, drivers in Chicago, San Francisco, LA, and New York plan to strike. This strike will start at 7am in there respective cities, just in time for the morning commute.
Those are just some of the cities. London drivers are also talking about striking. One strike leader, Bhairavi Desai says Wall Street investors are in Uber and Lyft leader’s ears. He says they’re telling the CEO’s they pay drivers too much already. Furthermore, he talks about how the CEO’s will make billions while drivers will suffer. So far, drivers in Boston, hope of our computer repair company, don’t have plans to strike. But that could change as well.
So far, I haven’t heard from Uber and Lyft leaders to talk about this. But you can best believe, the strikers are. One drivers says Uber is how he supports his 5-year-old son. He complains it’s getting harder for him to survive, while he accuses the rich getting richer. Look at how they chose rush hour on a weekday to start the strike. That’s not an accident. So if I were an Uber of Lyft CEO, I would try to talk to these strikers. I’d also try to work something out before you have a bunch of angry customers as well as drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers threaten strike. What are Uber and Lyft leaders doing about it?
May 3, 2019 | Entertainment, Uncategorized
So okay, I know the talk of social media is that BS stunt Facebook did. They banned Alex Jones and other “controversial” celebrities from their social media site. Like most in computer repair, and most in general, I’m also upset at this injustice. But I want to talk about something lighter, well, a little lighter. It’s the Sonic the Hedgehog movie: and the pre-movie controversies.
So those of you in my generation remember playing Sonic the Hedgehog on your Sega Genesis. In fact, Sonic was pretty much the star of that franchise. Well, in November 2019 they’re releasing a movie about this hedgehog with super speed. Already, it’s raising eyebrows…for the wrong reasons. First of all, it will probably get an R rating, thanks to the f bombs. Then there are other scenes that aren’t exactly family friendly. And social media are letting director Jeff Fowler know how they feel. The comments got so much and so intense he sent a Twitter to reply to the feedback.
On Twitter, Fowler thanked the people for the criticism. He also vowed to make changes and give fans the movie they truly deserve. And fans gave Fowler and other filmmakers advice on how the movie can improve. So here is the preview of the upcoming film right here. Yes, that is Jim Carrey in the film.
To his credit, I do believe Fowler is going to do his best to make this a family film. It’s in his best interest. This film is to be cross-generational, allowing the over 35 crowd to relive memories, and the younger ones about the gaming culture of our youth. So it wouldn’t make sense to make it an ‘R’ movie. About the other content, I’m not so sure. From the preview that I saw, the jury’s still out on that one.
So what about you? Do you want to see the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie?
May 2, 2019 | Computer technology
So we all know that E-cars seem to be the wave of the future. Also, they say by the 2030s, the e-car will be the premier vehicle. However, there are others. What is an e-bike? Will they dominate future?
An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor, but the rider can still pedal them. They also use rechargeable batteries. So let’s talk about Bond Mobility. It’s a young IT service firm from Silicon Valley that build e-bikes. These bikes can travel up to 30 MPH. That’s twice the speed of an e-scooter. Furthermore, unlike e-cars and scooters, you can park these e-bikes anywhere, just like regular bikes. You can even tie and lock them up to a pole.
Bond Mobility also has headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. In fact, that’s where all of their products are right now, in Europe. But they’re coming to the USA soon. However, there is a controversy about how fast this e-bike can go. Look at California. There, a bike that can’t go more than 30MPH can be rented with a licence to drive a car. Other states have similar laws. This can work to Bond Mobility’s advantage. In Switzerland, Bond Mobility’s e-bike is wildly successful. Can it do well in the USA?
Well, the want and the stats are there. In fact, some of them say by the 2030s, the e-biking business should be $300 billion in the US. It’s also worth $150 billion in Europe and $50 billion in China. Plus, a lot of people believe in Bond Mobility. Because they got a lot of funding from major corporations like Toyota and SoftBank. I know in Boston, home of our computer repair firm, traffic is one of the worst in the country. So I’m sure here, many people would like to jump on Bond Mobility’s e-bikes. Will e-bikes dominate our future?
May 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
So I’m telling you something you already know. The global IT service competition is fierce. Look at Amazon vs. Alibaba. Then look at Uber vs. Ola. Yes, the global tech wars are real. This is especially true when it comes to the US vs. China. But don’t count out India.
So I’m especially talking about Times Internet. Their headquarters aren’t in Silicon Valley or Beijing, China, but in Gurugram, India. Gurugram is a suburb of New Delhi. It’s one of the fastest growing media outlets in the world. Because as of today, they have over 110 million users a day and over 450 million users a lunch. What does that compare to, you ask? Keep in mind Facebook is at 300 million users in India and that’s dwindling. Facebook can thank many scandals and controversies for that decline, especially in India. And they’re not finished yet, not by a long shot. Because Vice-Chairman Satyan Gajwani shares great ambitions, like self-publishing. Furthermore, they already own over 36 global businesses. These include Times of India, and streaming service MX Player. They’re also creating apps for mobile gaming. There are even rumors about Times Internet owning their own sports team, like in cricket. Cricket is to India what the NFL is to America, so that would be a huge step.
Times Internet employs over 5,000 people. Now, they wield so much power that they intend to fund the biggest ad firm in the world by 2023. Also, to put my $2 in, you don’t hear about Gajwani making his people work long, oppressive hours like Alibaba does. That’s just an observation. I’m hearing unsavory things from Amazon and Facebook employees as well. Why do I bring this up? Because they need to know the global tech wars are real, and don’t count out India. And Times Internet is just waiting to see the US and China IT support big boys slip. Will they?
Apr 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
So, many of us in IT service know about Elon Musk’s dreams. They include sending people on the moon to live. They also include fighting one of humanity’s greatest threats. It’s Elon Musk vs. asteroid.
But Musk isn’t the only one. Because this week, some of the most brilliant minds in the world will come to Washington, DC. But they’re not coming to see the cherry blossoms. Instead, they’re fighting an fictional asteroid that’s slamming into earth at over 30,000 mph. Now before you go crazy, let me put this disclaimer out. NASA and others insists this is just a drill. There is no real threat or imminent danger of this happening…as of right now.
Musk and some of the world’s brightest minds discuss this world-ending situation at the Planetary Defense Conference. In this play, they see a huge asteroid coming to earth. There’s a 1 in 50,000 chance it will hit. But a month later, that number jumps to 1 in 100. Also in this play, they brace for impact in April 2027 (darn! There goes my 2028 Olympic plans!). But now, they work to intercept and change the asteroid’s direction. They also prepare for worse case scenario. What if it comes and they can’t do anything about it?
However, here is something else. NASA summoned Musk to help out with this. In fact, his Space X will help NASA test an ‘impactor craft’. This device will either destroy or direct an asteroid in another direction. In the early 2020s, they plan to take on an asteroid named Didymos. Don’t worry; it’s not going to hit us. But they plan to attack it when it’s 6.3 million miles from the Earth. Space X and NASA are collaborating on other asteroid fighting plans too. But what do you think of Elon Musk vs. asteroid? Could this save our world one day? Or is this just science-fiction coming to life?
Apr 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
So lately, there is a lot a talk about the lack of women in the IT service and computer tech industries. But one girl is changing that…and I mean that literally. Meet the ten year old coder: She’s starting a tech revolution.
So the ten year old coder is Samaria Metha. At 10, she is the inventor and CEO of CoderBunnyz. This is a game that teaches kids how to code. You draw and move bunnies from one place to another, chasing carrots up to their dream destination. Metha says this teaches basic to advance coding skills like: sequencing, functions, queue, and many others. She also explains she came up with the idea when she was 7.
Then, her and her parents peddled her patent around the world, and the game grew. But now, CoderBunnyz sold over 6,000 copies and made $200,000 in the last year alone. Metha also has a second game out. It’s CoderMindz. This game teaches kids about AI tech. Metha already has the attention of tech’s big boys. Because recently, she went to Facebook and Intel headquarters to show off her games. Then she went to Google headquarters. Here, CEO Stacy Sullivan offered her a job, but, “…you’ll have your own business by then”. Even former First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated Metha.
Recently, Metha went on CNBC to talk about her product and her passion to inspire future generations. And she hopes this starts a revolution, not just in IT service and computer repair, but for the next generation in general. Because she stated that in 10 years, we all will depend on coding. And her generation, the iGeneration/Gen Z (those born after 1999) will be the first to grow up with this. So it’s best to learn this critical skill now, before they have to go into their real world. And Samaria Metha is providing a fun and simple way to do that. Where will this new revolution lead?
Apr 26, 2019 | News
So Alibaba, China’s online shopping giant, and their answer to Amazon, is in the news again. And it’s for the wrong reasons again. This is Alibaba on US’s watch list. But what’s the real reason?
The government claims they’re doing this because Alibaba sales and trades too many pirate goods. Those are knock-off goods that look real, but are faker than fake. For example, imagine getting a Gucci handbag for $20, or a copy of Avengers: The End Game only a week after it’s theater debut. In fact, one agency calls them ‘notorious’ for dealing in counterfeit goods. Furthermore, they say Alibaba doesn’t have the will and/or procedures to stop this kind of trading.
But if Alibaba feels alone, they shouldn’t. Because much of China’s business world is under scrutiny for piracy. In fact, that nation alone counts for over half of pirated goods trying to get into the US. Sometimes they make it. Other times the gov’t intercepts them at borders and customs. They report these sorts of list every year. The agencies insists this list has nothing to do with the current trade war going on between China and the US. However, let’s dig a little deeper.
So China and the US are fighting for title of the world’s biggest economy. Also, allegations on both sides are everywhere, even in the IT service game. I’m talking about everything from stealing trade secrets to exploiting technology information. In computer repair, we cringe when we have to tell a client, “The part has to come from China.”. How do you think that makes us feel? And you know Amazon and Alibaba are fighting over consumers. So I wonder could Amazon have something to do with this. Could the current trade war have something to do with this? They say it doesn’t, but are you going to believe everything you hear? So this is Alibaba on US’s watch list. But what’s the real reason?
Apr 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
So Elon Musk predicted this would happen. But for Tesla employees and shareholders, it doesn’t make it any easier. Tesla starts 2019 in red. Deep in the red.
So to be frank, Tesla lost $702 million in Q1 2019. That breaks down to $4.10 a share. Yes, Musk and other Tesla leaders braced for a loss this quarter. However, nobody saw this big of a profit loss coming. They blame poor sales and deliveries of their latest tech-friendly cars. These cars include the Model 3’s, Model S’s, and X SUV’S. In fact, they only sold 63,000 eletric vehicles overall. That’s a more than 30% drop from Q4 2018.
Also, Musk himself sites delivery problems for their turbulent start to this year. In fact, the first quarter seemed so hopeless that they focused shipping to the second quarter. They even delayed some shipping. But they do expect the second quarter to be better, but they don’t see themselves breaking even. They don’t expect that to happen until Q3 2019. Let’s face it. The Q2 profits can’t get much worse. If you’re thinking of investing in Tesla stocks, then think hard about that. Because as of today, they hover at $255 a share. That sounds like a lot. But compare that to $376 a share back on Dec. 14, 2018.
However, this won’t deter Musk from other products. This includes custom built computer chips and robotaxi’s. And of course, there’s that whole sending people to Mars and The Moon project. Now I see how some are hitting the panic button on their IT support hero Elon Musk. But I’m not. Because everybody has setbacks. No matter how good they are or how successful they are. Also, keep in mind the e-car is still a relatively new concept. Yes, it’s a hot new concept, but new nonetheless. Tesla starts 2019 in red. Do you think they will stay there, and if so, then how long?
Apr 24, 2019 | News, Security, Smartphone, Wireless
So a New York City teenager files lawsuit against Apple. At the heart of this fight is Apple’s facial recognition. The young man is sewing for $1 billion.
So the young man’s name is Ousmane Bah, and he is 18. His lawsuit says Apple’s facial recognition made him a target of false accusations. The suit also says that last year, a Boston court summoned him on theft charges. The summons claimed he stole over $1,200 worth of Apple products. But wait…there’s more. Because it goes on to allege Bah stole products in New Jersey and Delaware. Obviously, Bah vehemently denies these claims.
In fact, Bah said he was at senior prom when one of the thefts took place (think of all the witnesses that can vouch for him). However, Bah explains that he lost his ID. Then, the real culprits pretended to be him, using facial recognition tech. Bah thinks that Apple’s software security blindly accepted the culprit’s fraud. Therefore, the facial IT support thought it was Bah’s face, and not the real suspect’s. That’s how they falsely accused Bah of theft. The college freshman’s lawsuit said this ordeal deeply affected him. Furthermore, these accusations caused him a lot of stress and hardship. So far, no word from Apple about this.
First and foremost, I am not here to take sides. These are all allegations, so far. I don’t know who is right or wrong. But there is a lesson we can learn here. As bad as this sounds, no piece of IT service is 110% secure. Anything can happen. So just because we spend lots of money of extra security doesn’t always mean we’re going to be 100% safe. Look at this New York City teenager and his lawsuit. Yes, we should take all the safety and security measures we can. But we should also be aware that anything can happen at anytime, regardless. Who do you think will win this lawsuit?
Apr 23, 2019 | Uncategorized
So more people are working remotely and/or at home than ever before. We can thank IT support for that. But this means many companies change the way they conduct jobs interviews. Then, in some cases, they let artificial intelligence do the job for them. AI conducts job interviews: This includes reading faces.
So there are startup IT service companies like HireVue and AllyO and VCV.AI. are changing that. If you ask these companies, they say the more traditional ways of interviewing just aren’t working. So one company uses machine learning to look for source patterns in applications. Then, they can draw out more successful potential candidates.
Others will use AI to screen faces, voices, and even body language. However, others will use robo-voice interviews, and examine the interviewers’ voice recognition and video recording. They’ll use AI to study somebody’s nerves and other behaviors. They can even use AI to make sure somebody is a good cultural fit. These companies brag AI hiring will save them time and energy. Because one says the AI way will save them 20 hours of work a week. Yes, some companies are switching to the AI way. I’m talking big name companies, like L’Oreal makeup, Mars candy/food company, and Citibank bank giant.
Here is another reason AI conducts job interviews. There was a time when the interview was a test to see if you could do the work. Now, it’s a test to see if you can fit in. I guess they believe that robots can do a better job determining that than humans. However, this AI job interviewing can be a good thing. Because stats say many bosses are less likely to give a job, or even interview, to somebody with an ethnic sounding name than to someone with an Anglo-Saxon sounding name. Unfortunately, this still goes on in 2019 America! So if AI can be more fair and cut down on the discrimination, then I say let the AI do the interviewing. What do you think of AI conducting job interviews?
