Sep 9, 2016 | internet, Security
We’re less than two months away from the most contentious election in my lifetime. It’s probably the most contentious in American history. That’s why all Americans eligible need to to vote this year. Some embrace a new technical phenomenon called online voting. But should online voting happen?
This concept is getting so popular it’s being offered in thirty states this year. Online voting is aimed primarily at absentee voters. Such voters usually live overseas or in a state different from where they’re registered. Thirty-two states have some kind of online ballet. No states had that in 2000. Don’t everybody think you’re just going to vote on your computer come November 8. Alaska is the only state where anybody can vote at home. Utah just started online voting. The Utah caucuses of March 2016 was the first time Republicans could vote via computer. There were a bunch of mishaps and errors. Despite this, some claim this experiment was successful. Problems included eight or nine tries to get the electronic ballet through. Some were falsely approved. Then there was the 30 digit pin number they had to type in. Let’s just say the pin number had a mind of it’s own. Some believe online voting is a huge technological step. Some say it’s a necessity. I saw one person say, “If I can shop online, why can’t I vote online?”
Because it’s not safe to vote online. I’ve reported on international governments hacking US interest. What makes you think foreign nations won’t hack our electronic ballets? It’s not just foreign nations you have to worry about. People are so passionate and so desperate about this election they will do anything to make sure their candidate wins. I mean anything! This includes tamper the ballots, messing up our electoral system. There are those at the very top who will pay someone to hack these ballots. Don’t you know there are hackers that will buy, sell, and trade your information for only $5? What if a Republican, or Democrat, with big pockets pay a hacker $100,000 to swing elections their way? So I ask again, should online voting happen?
Sep 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
What’s the biggest threat to humanity today? ?Some say it’s ISIS and other terrorist groups. Many would argue climate change. There’s a looming huge threat out there that gets little coverage. A massive solar storm is the threat to all modern technology.
And in the 2010s, we all depend on modern technology. So the threat to all modern technology would be the threat to all humanity. Astronomers fear a solar storm, and for good reason. If a big one hits us, it could knock out satellites, fry electrical grids, scramble global communications, and send us back to the 1850s. Speaking of the 1850s, a massive solar storm did hit us in 1859. It was called the Carrington Event. The worst that happened is telegraph wires were temporarily disrupted. Let’s say we were hit by that same solar storm today. Cellphone and GPS reception would go down globally, simultaneously, and immediately. Our airlines depend on modern technology. ?Air traffic control systems would be out of commission. Flights would be grounded and pilots in flight would be totally on their own. Global space programs would be in shambles. Astronauts in space would die. Modern technology would be destroyed in seconds. However, modern technology would take ten years to repair and trillions of dollars to rebuild.
Do you think this is just some sci-fi movie plot? Think again. As recently as 2005, a solar flare disrupted satellite communication and GPS systems. This compromised travel for ten minutes. Think of how for modern technology has come since 2005. There were no smartphones in 2005. There was hardly any social media back then. Imagine if that solar flare hit today and lasted longer. Even our most basic needs would be threatened: clean water, food, transportation, sanitation. All depend on modern technology. All would be potentially destroyed if hit by a major solar storm. Why isn’t the United Nations doing anything about this threat? Why isn’t NASA doing anything? Why isn’t the US government and others doing more?
Sep 7, 2016 | Computer technology, Entertainment, General, internet
Welcome to my live blog of the 9/7/16 Apple Keynote that will include the unveiling of the iPhone 7 among other things. Feel free to comment, follow us on Facebook or Twitter as i post pictures and review some of the cooler things that Apple decides to show us! From features to dimensions and price-points, you can get it all here from Geek Choice.
Keynote will start at 1pm EST, just click refresh on this blog and new content will be coming in every 1-2 minutes!
Growth rates are over 106%, makes you wonder how many of those downloads were Pokemon Go? Apple also announces that the iPhone and iPad are the #1 Gaming devices on the planet.
AND GUESS WHO IS COMING TO THE APP STORE?!?!?!?
MARIO!!
They are announcing the new game Mario Run. A side scrolling run game that you will only need 1 hand to play! From the gameplay it looks pretty cool, but doesn’t look like you can go backwards to get items you have missed. But at least its not just another “run” game like “Minion Rush”
The Next Mario Game to be announced is Toad Rally! Which is a Battle Mode version of the game! This will allow you to battle your friends in Mario Bro’s and compete for a high score. I was honestly hoping for it to be the classic Mario Bros games, but alas, it is not…
The game will be released at a set price which they will not announce today, but it will release before the holidays.
Education
They are giving a Mac and iPad to 4500 teachers, Apple TV in every classroom and donating iPads to more than 50,000 students
“Everyone Can Code” is an extension of the Swift Playground app, teaching coding. Already since June, more than 100 schools and school districts around the world already plan to teach Swift Playgrounds this fall.
Nothing yet about any new products….
Announcing real-time collaboration, as multiple people can collaborate and edit a keynote presentation real time, which would work wonders for group projects when you cannot be in the same place at the same time with several people.
New Products
Apple Watch
There is lots of gloating about how awesome Apple Watch is. #2 watch brand in the world behind only Rolex.
Watch OS3, new deck, tap back to send replies, confetti backgrounds and writing messages with your finger, this thing seems to be awesome so far.
And now for all of you fans of the sensation known as Pokemon Go….
POKEMON GO IS COMING TO THE APPLE WATCH!!
Over 500,000,000 downloads of Pokemon go and walked over 4.6 billion KM
Pokemon Go on Apple Watch Demo
Shows how far you have walked, heart rate and help you see what is near by. You will still have to take out your phone to catch wild Pokemon, but you can hit Pokestops, hatch your eggs and find Pokemon with the watch!
Apple Watch Series 2
You can wear this watch in the pool, at the beach up to 50 meters of depth! No more having to take off your watch to go into the pool!
the speaker in the watch will be able to eject any water that gets inside
You will now be able to track a swim workout!
Apple has added a dual core processor that’s up to 50 percent faster. We’ve added an entirely new GPU that delivers 2X the graphics performance
Series 2 also features a new second generation display more than 2X brighter than before. It’s the brightest display Apple has shipped on any product. at 1,000 nits
They have also added in built in GPS! That will even sync with your iPhone
Viewranger hiking app demo
Showing GPS functions on hiking trail, and via notifications
Gives you Fun facts of landmarks..
Comes in a wide variety of styles. Cases in aluminum and stainless steel as well as a new material we’ve been working on for quite some time. Ceramic
Summary of Series 2 Apple Watch
Apple Watch Nike +
Nike and Apple have developed “your perfect running partner” There is an option for a quick run, but hitting start run, or just ask Siri to start a run.
The watch will send out custom motivation to get out and run..
$369 for Apple Watch Series 2. But Apple Watch being upgraded w dual-core processor, called Series 1, for $269
Pre-Orders are on 9/9/16, OS3 9/13/16
iPhone 7
Starting with iOS 10, which i have personally been demoing for the past month, and it is amazing!
Better quick typing
Maps app is redesigned and works great as a gps
With iOs 10 you can manage your home right from the control center and with Siri as well,
100 devices coming to market this year.
All you have to look for is this label: works with Apple HomeKit
Now for the iPhone 7!!!
?
They are going over how they make the shiny Aluminum body. Oooooooooooh Sounds…….expensive
10 major new features
First is the Finish called “Jet Black” It’s a high gloss finish so it’s a seamless surface between the glass
Second is The Home Button
Third item is that the phone is now Water and Dust resistant!
The Fourth Item is the Camera
the first thing ISP does is read the scene and checks for objects/bodies. automatically sets exposure, focus, white balance, … noise reduction. can take multiple photos and fuse into one to take the perfect images. New ISP chip, improved throughput by 2x. Improved face and body detection, exposure, white balance, wide color, local tone mapping and noise reduction. Will even fuse multiple photos into one via machine learning. 100 billion operations every time we take a picture. Does it in just 25 millseconds
Up from 5MP on the iPhone 6s!
Summary of the Camera
And one more thing! Double Cameras on the iPhone 7Plus!
This will allow us to magnify pictures without losing the quality of the picture, up to 10X zoom!!
In camera app, where normally select style, there’s a new style that says “Portrait.” Automatically jumps to using a telephoto lens. Automatically you see the depth effect. Being generated in real time as you look at your screen
Fifth item on the docket is Retina HD Display
Sixth item is Audio
Built in speakers are a huge jump forward. For the first time ever they will be STEREO SPEAKERS which will give out double the sound!
7th one is the headphones
Headphones will now be plugged in through the lightning cable!
also giving away a free adapter so you can use your old headphones!!
The reason they did this is for 3 reasons
First reason is courage
Second, this is really important, our smartphones are packed with technologies and we always want more. Brighter displays,etc. .. it’s all fighting for space within that same enclosure. Maintaining an ancient connector doesn’t make sense
Third, most important, when you have a vision of how the audio experience can be, you want to get there as fast as you can
Which brings us to #8 WIRELESS
These look legit, wireless headphones!
Sensors trigger play w proximity. Motion triggers, accelerometers. Beam-forming microphones reduce noise. 5hrs battery. Charge case offers 24 hours life. Intelligent switcher to things to Apple Watch. (AirPods) The new wireless AirPods deliver incredible sound. Sexy video with porno music in the background… I need a cigarette
Easily connect the AirPods
Can listen in stereo or if want to use one for Siri or phone call, automatically routes audio. No pairing or unpairing. Those things are of the past
Beats has their own version of wireless headphones to take advantage of the new Apple w1 chip!
New Beats Solo 3 Wireless. 40 hours of listening time
Ninth is Apple Pay
No. 10. Honestly I’m almost embarrassed we held this one til the last. It is performance
40% faster than the A9 Chip
When doing something like checking email. .. can get longer battery life. Graphics are 240X faster than in the original iPhone
CONSOLE LEVEL GAMING ON THE IPHONE 7!
Pro apps benefit as well. Adobe Lightroom. 90% of the features for raw editing as in the desktop version.
Video of the Gameplay is stunning with no lag! Nothing proves performance like 400 flying monkeys.
Final Summary
Thank you for joining me today on this live blog! Feel free to share and leave comments!!
Sep 7, 2016 | Computer technology, Smartphone
As you remember, I wrote a review about the upcoming Apple iPhone 7. Unlike iPhone predecessors, the iPhone 7 won’t have a headphone jack for earphones of any kind. They’re not alone. Everywhere you go, new technology kills old jack.
The iPhone 7 isn’t the first to start this new technological trend. Moto was the first American smartphone without a headphone jack. The new and sleek Moto Z Droid comes without a jack. Smartphone companies in China are taking the headphone jack out of their smartphones. Let’s look at why they want to get rid of the historic headphone jack. One reason is the headphone jack is so historic. It’s been around since the mid-1960s.
The first radio to have one was the Sony EFM-117J. That radio was first released in 1964. Since then, it’s been a critical part of portable radio. In the 1970s, we used the jack on 8-tracks. For the ’80s and ’90s, it was the Walkman; in the ’90s and 2000s, it was the CD Discman, and now, the smartphone. In the eyes of many tech leaders, the jack is 1960s technology on 2010s devices. Plus, phones are getting thinner, thanks to public demand. These phones are getting too thin for the jack. The headphone jack is 3.5 millimeters thick, the thickest part of a smartphone today.
So why should we keep the headphone jack?
How are we going to listen to our music in our cubicle without distracting a colleague? I’m on a bus, plane, or train. How do I watch movies on my smart device without distracting the person next to me? Technology has an answer for that too. Wireless Bluetooth headphones sales are going up, up, and up. Apple has earbugs that plug into the the charging jack. Personally, earbugs are too small for my taste. I still like my older earphones. I guess I could plug them into a charging or USB-jack with an adapter. But that just sounds like too much hassle. But I am glad there are other options, like Bluetooth headphones. What alternatives would you recommend to replace the headphone jack?
Sep 6, 2016 | Computer technology, Software
Intel is buying a chip maker company called Movidius. Never heard of them? They pride themselves of cutting edge technology innovation. Movidius currently works on RFID chips for drones. Intel is one of the most profitable tech companies in the world. So drones plus chips could equal what?
Intel has been on a spending ‘spare no expense’ spree to stay ahead in technology advancement. Last month, they paid almost a half billion dollars for Nervana Systems. That’s a new machine company. Meanwhile, Movidius seems determined to make a name for itself in the tech industry. They’ve made deals with Google and Lenovo, among others. They’ve come up with a chip called Myriad 2. This chip, roughly the size of a fingernail, can stream multiple videos at once. That’s why Intel wants Movidius’ technology, and their chip. Intel has their camera technology called RealSense. RealSence includes cameras, facial recognition, fingerprints and finger tracking, VR gaming, and new technology that supports drones. Movidius can help Intel’s RealSense tremendously. And Intel leaders know it.
Josh Walden, Intel’s VP of new technology, stated Movidius’ Myriad 2 chip offers lots of possibilities. It offers opportunities to help them track, navigate, and follow every scene picked up by an instrument, such as a drone. Intel wants this chip to help them in drones, robotics and virtual reality. I’m confident Movidius can do it. Little is known about this deal. It should be completed by the end of 2016. We don’t know how much money is being exchanged. We don’t know how many employees will be affected. I hope everyone at Movidius keeps their job. It sounds like Intel needs Movidius more than Movidius needs Intel. I’m interested to see what this merger makes. There’s a lot of talk of tracking and following. I hope they can respect people’s privacy. But in 2016 America, that’s probably too much to ask for. Drones plus chips equals what?
Sep 5, 2016 | Smartphone
Don’t be alarmed by that question. It may seem far fetched. It may seem ridiculous. But I read an article that has surprising statistics. Is the smartphone era over?
The smartphone era began in 2007. That year, Apple released the iPhone. That iPhone started a revolution. With more apps, sizes, and cooler functions, the demand for better smartphones increased. So did the supply. When the 2010s decade began, less than 100 million smartphones were shipped. By 2016, shipments are several times that high. So what’s the problem? Data suggests smartphone growth will be less than 2% in 2016. In 2015, that number was 10.4%. In hot markets, like the US, Canada, Japan and Western Europe, that number is expected to fall further. In ‘rising’ markets, like China, India, Russia and Brazil, numbers remain modest. But even there, there’s little sign of massive growth. It’s not that people are tired of their smartphones. Quite the opposite. People are so satisfied with their existing phones they don’t want to get new ones. That’s what hindering growth.
This means smartphone companies must work harder to entice consumers to upgrade. Smartwatches used to do the trick. But less smartwatches are dependent on smartphones. However, the VR movement could be what the smartphone needs. Virtual reality headsets depend on smartphones to even function. But is the smartphone era over? No, it’s not. That’s like calling the TV era over in the 1970s, when by this point, everyone had color television. By the decade’s end, cable TV and home video games emerged. Suddenly, everyone wanted a TV in their room, especially kids. That’s what kept TV sales going. So VR, watches, better apps, and other things will keep smartphone sales going. The smartphone isn’t going away anytime soon. They’re just coming up with ways to make it better. The iPhone’s 10th anniversary is soon. What will Apple come up with to mark the occasion?
Sep 4, 2016 | Security, Smartphone
This is the time of year phone companies promote new smartphones. Apple is releasing their new device soon. Then there are Samsung Galaxy woes. The Samsung Galaxy woes couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 developers discovered a battery problem. They’re melting the phones like ice cream on a summer day. According to one South Korean Note 7 customer, he awoke to a burning smell. That smell was his burning Galaxy Note 7. He used his Galaxy Note 2 to take the picture. The picture shows the phone charred beyond recognition. He wasn’t the only one. Here in Massachusetts, a medic had his Galaxy Note explode on him. Of every one million Galaxy Note 7’s already sold, ?24 have burned due to faulty a faulty battery. So far, Samsung ?received 35 complaints. That may not sound like much. It’s enough to get Samsung leadership’s attention.
The battery crises affects sales in ten countries from the United States to South Korea. The defunct batteries will take two weeks to repair. Samsung offers free products to replace the Galaxy Note 7, such as Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge. It will refund the cost of Note 7 accessories and give $25 gift card or credit to Note 7 customers. Retailers across this country have stopped or suspended Samsung Galaxy Note sales. This includes all US mobile carriers. If you purchased a Galaxy Note 7, return it to your retailer at once! Ask what they can do for you as far as refund or exchange.Your chances of owning an explosive Note 7 are rare. But don’t take the risk. Just ask that Massachusetts medic. As stated, this came at the worst time for Samsung. Apple expects to sale their new smartphone next week. The Samusung Galaxy Note was probably their biggest form of competition. Also, the Samsung owner is devastated. This phone was to sale for $850.
In conclusion, Samsung owner said the battery crisis “…is heartbreaking.” If you were a CEO and hemorrhaging $850 sales, with your top competition selling smartphones like hotcakes, wouldn’t you be heartbroken too?
Sep 3, 2016 | General
I’m going to try and keep this tech based, so bear with me. Does it seems like Generation X (born between 1965-1980) is the forgotten generation? Does it seem so even when it comes to Generation X and technology?
I came across this article. The title has a naughty word, so reader discretion is advised.?I’ll link it here.?I don’t agree with everything Matt Honan says, but he has valid points. The technology we take for granted wouldn’t be here if not for Generation X. Our generation (I was born in 1978. I consider Generation X myself a Gen Xer) gave the world Google and Yahoo. We gave the world Ebay, PayPal, and Craigslist. Gen X gave you Twitter. Founders Jack Dorsey and Even Williams were born in the 1970s. We paved the way for the smartphone. The baby boomers may have invented the Internet in 1969, but Generation X made it relevant and part of daily life. Millennials like Mark Zuckerberg helped create social media. But remember chat rooms? Chat rooms of the 1990s paved the way for your Facebook, your You Tube, your Instagram. In fact, Generation X helped create tech hub Silicon Valley.
Yes, there was the dot.com crash of 2000, but Silicon Valley continues to thrive to this day. Generation X made that happen. Yet, it seems like everyone forgot about us. Baby boomers often get praised for changing the world. As well they should. Millennials get criticized for being spoiled and entitled. Well, look at the world they inherited. But Generation X hardly gets remembered at all, despite all that we’ve contributed to society, including technology. Even Gen Zers (those born after 1996) get more press than Generation X. Some of them are literally still in diapers. ?In 1996, Time magazine came out with a special magazine: The 50 Greatest Baby Boomers of All-Time. This was to celebrate that generation’s 50th anniversary. In 2015, do you remember Time magazine coming out with The 50 Greatest Gen Xers of All-Time? Me either. What are some other tech contributions Gen Xers made?
Sep 1, 2016 | Wireless
With most smartwatches, you need a smartphone to coincide. Without the smartphone, the smartwatch has no life. You can’t even activate the watch without it. Samsung ?changes that. How would you like a smartwatch without a smartphone?
That’s where Samsung Gear S3 comes in. The Gear S3 Classic is meant for the office worker, indoor lover, and urban professional. The Gear S3 ?Frontier is meant for outdoor lovers, laborers, and for those in rural settings. Both Gear S3 watches are larger than the S2. Because some customers are turned off by large watches, Samsung continues to support and promote Gear S2. Here is where you can give your smartphone a rest: The Gear S3 Frontier has 4G LTD connectivity. This allows you to conduct a smartwatch without a smartphone. This means you can take phone calls, and send/receive text messages. You can stream music, particularly from Spotify. That’s just with Frontier. Gear S3 will only work with WiFi and Bluetooth.
Both have great waterproof and weather proof features. Both will go underwater for 30 minutes (as long as it’s shallow water). It can endure extreme cold and heat. What’s a smartwatch without apps? Gear S3 has you covered. They claim to have ESPN, Yelp, Uber, and CNN on this watch. Battery life is supposed to go three days per charge. That’s going to be a huge selling point. Speaking of selling, we don’t know the cost yet. They’d better find out the cost because it’s expected to be released in Q4 2016.
Other than the mysterious cost, Samsung Gear S3 sounds like a good buy. We’re just going to assume it’s not too expensive. But this smartwatch can blow Apple’s iWatch out of the water. You get long battery life. You don’t need your smartphone. They’re two kinds of S3 to appeal to all people. They’re releasing it just in time for the Christmas shopping season. It can go in all types of weather. Those of us in New England, we know how important that is. This sounds like the dream smartwatch. Did I mention you don’t need a smartwtach for it? How much would you pay for a smartwatch without a smartphone?
