Aug 11, 2016 | General
How much would you sacrifice to support a cause? Would you give half your life savings? Would you move to a foreign country? Would you leave the company you founded? One media mogul does the latter.
Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington leaves the company she helped turned into a digital media powerhouse. She signed a deal to be editor-in-chief until 2019. She’s starting a company called Thrive Global. It’s a media tech company dedicated to health issues. Yes, Huffington is fully dedicated to Thrive Global. She’s already accepted venture funding, and plenty of it. And she’s dedicating her full attention to this start-up. Huffington Post was founded in 2005 by Arianna Huffington, Andrew Breitbart, Jonah Peretti and Kenneth Lerer. Before then, Huffington started out as a political commentator. In the last 40+ years, she authored 15 books. Huffington Post was acquired by AOL Inc. in 2011. Shortly thereafter, AOL Inc. was bought out by Verizon. In eleven years, Huffington Post helped set the standard in digital and alternative media. This digital medium draws over 100 million viewers a month, and expands to fourteen countries. AOL’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong said of Huffington: “Arianna is a visionary who built The Huffington Post into a truly transformative news platform.”
Thrive Global works with other companies to improve employees’ health. This is particularly true for tech and media based companies. The business is expected to launch in November 2016. Perfect timing. We’ll all need mental health improvement after this brutal election season. Arianna Huffington built her legacy off being a trailblazer. At 66 years old, she’s doing it again. There is a market for Thrive Global’s services. Individuals are concerned for their health. Employers are concerned for their employees’ health. They can’t afford to pay high insurance claims for unhealthy employees getting sick on them. With that being said, everybody wins with Thrive Global. Who wants to be sick? Nobody does! Is Arianna Huffington taking a good risk here?
Aug 10, 2016 | Computer technology
Many people anticipate the upcoming iPhone 7. You don’t think Apple would leave it there, do you? Insiders say Apple is revamping it’s most prized wearable technology: the iWatch.
Tech reports out of Asia say Apple is working on a whole new Apple Watch. This device will focus on health. This watch would inform the consumers’ blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar level, and pulse reading. The wearable device is the brainchild of Jay Blahnik. Blahnik is Apple’s Director of Fitness and Health. He and his health technology team hope this will cause a wearable technology revolution. This has been in the making for well over a year now. However, don’t expect it anytime soon. This super device won’t be out until 2017. Apple has recruited Foxxconn, Zhen Ding Technology, and other tech companies to produce the new device’s parts. Apple wants to break into health care so bad. They have an entire health care team, led by Jay Blahnik. They have health care products such as Health Kit, Research Kit and Care Kit. These items already do some form of health monitoring. So if this new wearable health device is going to sell, I hope Blahnik’s team step their game up.
One thing this new device won’t be: Apple iWatch 2. First of all, that’s coming out in September 2016. This is to complement the iPhone 7 release. Second of all, they don’t want this device to be another iWatch. They want this to be a revolutionary health device. I can’t report too much on what’s going to be on it. That’s because Apple is being hush-hush about it. That’s Apple. What else would you expect? You wouldn’t want Google/Android to get your secrets, would you? What would you like to see on Apple’s new wearable device? When would you like to see it released? What should the name of it be?
Aug 9, 2016 | News
A couple of ?years ago, NFL star Ray Rice was disgraced. Surveillance cameras saw him punch his girlfriend. Now, a Silicon Valley leader faces prison. What this leader did was far worse than Rice.
The Silicon Valley leader’s name is?Gurbaksh Chahal. Surveillance caught Chahal punching and kicking his girlfriend 117 times in a row. Then, he smothered her with a pillow yelling, “I’m going to kill you!”. This happened three years ago. Chahal only got probation. The judge wouldn’t allow the footage to be shown in court. The following year, Chahal got in more legal trouble for beating another girlfriend, but the girlfriend wouldn’t cooperate. Chahal got off easy again. But another judge allowed prosecutors to use the 2013 image. This is to prove Chahal violated his probation. It worked. Chahal’s sentencing date is August 12, 2016. He could face up to 24 months in prison. If you’re not familiar with Gurbaksh Chahal, his tech record is as impressive as anybody in Silicon Valley. He founded ad company Click Agent as a teenager. At 18, he sold it for $40 million. He sold his second ad company Blue Lithium for $300 million. Men’s Health declared him one of the fittest guys in America. Celebrity news show Extra! declared him one of the most eligible bachelors. He’s even posed pictures with President Barack Obama.
For years, many people, especially victims’ rights advocates, have demanded real justice, not just a slap on the wrist. Come August 12, they might get it. I hope Chahal gets the maximum sentence. I’m sick of the rich and famous thinking they can get away with literally anything. Chahal needs to be made an example out of. Though I hope justice is served, let’s not forget: this is a tragedy. This is a man that did so much and received so much accolades at such a young age. Now, he has thrown it away. Even if he doesn’t see prison, Chahal will never be looked at the same again. Like Ray Rice, the cloud of domestic violence will follow him for the rest of his life. That’s the tragedy. Will Chahal face real justice this time?
Aug 8, 2016 | Computer technology
Flying isn’t what it used to be. You’re charged for checked baggage. You’re prodded through security. You may not be able to fly at all. Delta passengers aren’t. That’s because a failed computer system grounds Delta Airlines.
The problem started around 2:30 am this morning. A power outage hits Atlanta, Delta’s global hub. Now, Delta’s computer systems worldwide are stalled. The company warned customers can expect many cancellations and delays globally. Delta assures their technicians are doing all they can to rectify the issue. Delta offers a waiver for anyone traveling between August 8-12. That means if you’re scheduled to fly Delta between these dates, and want to change your dates, you won’t be charged change fees. But the damage is already done. The airport lines are piling up. The passengers are stranded. The tempers are flaring. I heard one passenger already stranded because of weather. Now he has to deal with the computer glitch. Tens of thousands are affected. Not only that, some systems are giving false information. They may tell passengers they’re flight is boarding, only to learn it’s been cancelled. How cruel is that? Delta stocks take a hit. The glitches, delays and cancellations have little end in sight.
Unfortunately, airline computer glitches, and the mayhem they bring, aren’t uncommon. On July 8, 2015, United Airlines grounded all flights due to a computer glitch. Last month, Southwest Airlines faced massive delays and over 2,300 cancellations due to computer glitches. Experts report Delta’s glitch will be even worse. This tells me something. The problem isn’t necessarily with the airlines. Something is wrong with our tech infrastructure. It’s 2016. Airline passengers shouldn’t have to be subjected to computer glitches every month. We have bright minds all over America to tackle this issue. I think all airlines should have a joint summit to discuss this habitual problem. Then they need to come up with a solution to fix the problem, for good. I’d like to see Congress grill airline CEOs into making their technology infrastructure better. And why are we using 1970s technology? That’s what I want to know. What can be done to prevent the next airline computer glitch.
Aug 7, 2016 | Smartphone
Now it can be confirmed, well, for the most part. Apple itself confirms nothing, but trusted tech insiders are. Apple’s anticipated iPhone 7 to launch September 9, 2016.
That’s a bit misleading. Pre-orders are expected to start September 9. The iPhone 7 will be available in Apple stores September 16, according to many tech insiders. This 5.5 inch smartphone should have major hardware changes. This includes a new duel lens camera, missing headphone jack, twin external speakers, and Smart Connector. One debut feature is the blue color option. The iPhone 7 Plus will be a little slimmer than the iPhone 6 Plus. There has been many concerns with iOS 9.3.3. But Apple and their insiders assure such concerns have been resolved. Remember the iPhone SE, the bite sized iPhone that came out in March 2016? From what I’m reading, that was a pre-cursor to iPhone 7. When someone gives you a product for a deep discount, they hope you buy the real thing at regular price. That’s what Apple did with iPhone SE. iPhone SE was the promo. iPhone 7 is the product they really want you to invest in. Apple stocks depend on iPhone 7 success. So does Apple’s competitive spirit. Last time I checked, Apple only controlled 26% of the tablet market. Android controlled 65%.
I know iPhone 7 isn’t a tablet. But if iPhone 7 beats expectations, maybe that can spill into the tablet market. I bet Tim Cook hopes so. With caution, I commend iPhone with the SE strategy. They’d better hope people want the real product. Many people are satisfied with just the samples and promo discounts. So Apple lovers, mark September 9 on your calendar. If you’re smart, you’ll pre-order. But I’m sure there are some who’ll camp out at an Apple store at all hours of the night. There are some who will stand in line for many hours. There are some who will even get into fist fights over the last iPhone 7 (I sure hope they stock up!). If that’s you, then why?
Aug 6, 2016 | Smartphone
Wasn’t that a wonderful Olympic opening ceremony yesterday (depends on who you ask)? Today, the games are off to a flying start. Technology helps covers it all. Technology also fights a more serious battle…the battle against the Zika virus.
In the last year or so, the Zika virus spread like wildfire throughout Brazil. The Olympic games were affected. Some Olympians even chose not to participate because of the Zika threat. Smartphone apps are fighting the Zika threat. The WHO (World Health Organization) has the WHO Zika App. It arms you with critical Zika information. It gives general information, symptoms, and prevention measures. And it updates people on the latest Zika related news. The WHO isn’t the only one developing apps fighting Zika. The PDC (Pacific Disaster Center) app tracks Zika all over the world. It highlights breeding grounds. Using GPS systems, the PDC tracks where Zika is most acquired, most suspected, even which areas are most venerable. According to their maps, Columbia and El Salvador are at high risk. This app also reports on earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural threats. Thermometer company Kinsa is doing it’s part. Kinsa uses high tech thermometers to track symptoms and uncover local outbreaks.
All these apps are good to have. If you’re in Brazil, I highly recommend you get one. They’re available on all Apple and Android devices and they’re free. But the PDC app is the most thorough. It gives total Zika cases by nation and by a nation’s region. It gives the number of cases among pregnant women. This is extremely important. It’s believed the Zika virus among pregnant women causes microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition where babies are born with shrunken heads. This could lead to huge development problems later in life. Brazil is faced with a lot of problems right now. During the opening ceremonies, there were mass protests surrounding them. Let’s hope these apps will keep people safe. I’d like to keep the focus on the games themselves. Don’t you?
Aug 5, 2016 | Uncategorized
Today, the 2016 Summer Olympic games begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You won’t be glued to your couch for every event for two weeks (At least…I hope not!). Smartphone and the Olympics come together. Here are some tips.
The Olympics are a time of boundless patriotism. We love our American athletes, don’t we? There’s a Team USA app. It’s available on all Apple and Android devices. It gives USA profiles, updates, events, schedules, videos, photos, and other Team USA goodies. Maybe you’re a British fan? You’re in luck. The BBC Sports app does the same thing Team USA app does with American athletes. Both apps are free. Let’s move closer to home. Do you have Olympians in your hometown you’re cheering for? You’ll want the NBC Rio 2016 app. This app partners with your phone’s GPS to get the inside scoop on your hometown heroes. You can see the medal count and winners for various nations and events. There’s the Olympics app. It does what all the other Olympic apps do. But this one is owned by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). With Rio 2016, choose your language and time zone. You get updated at your convenience (it can be every 5 minutes if you want). Like all the others, keep track of your favorite countries and stars. All the apps mentioned are free and available on Apple and Android.
I notice a pattern. All of these apps pretty much offer the same thing. They all offer coverage of your favorite team, sport and athlete. They’re all free and on Apple and Android. It would be nice to have some diversity in these apps. I see no apps are telling you the background these Olympians are competing in. This background includes waterway sewage, inadequate housing, political turmoil, terror threats, poor medical facilities, a crime wave, and police threatening strike because due to lack of wages. I digress. But here are your apps. I wish our athletes the very best. And if I haven’t said it already: USA! USA! USA! USA! Which app will you follow the Olympics with?
Aug 4, 2016 | General
Even the tech industry lacks in some things. Diversity is one of them. Year after year, we see how lily white and male the tech industry often is. Thankfully, that’s starting to change. Apple makes progress in diversity.
As of August 2016, 32 percent of Apple’s US work force are women. Nine percent are Black. Twelve percent are Latino. In Apple’s global employment, 37% are women. They’re making strides in minority hiring. In the last year, 27% of hires represented a minority group. Apple has done several things to bridge the embarrassing lack of racial and gender diversity. They’re recruiting from historically black colleges and universities. Apple is investing in elementary schools to train future tech geniuses. Apple claims to bridge the economic pay gap for women and minority workers. Harvard professor Hannah Riley Bowles has openly criticized Silicon Valley for their lack of women and minorities. Bowles said, “…the numbers are encouraging.” But she wants to see increased improvement over time. Even civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson praised Apple’s progress. Some complain the progress is only because of Apple’s retail stores. Their salaries are less. They could be true or fabricated. But Apple’s Black and Latino representation stands at eight percent. Despite Google and Facebook’s valiant efforts, Blacks and Latinos represent around 4 percent of their workforce.
This is a conversation that needs to continue. It started three years ago. If it didn’t start, we wouldn’t be making this much progress. More progress needs to be made. I applaud Apple’s efforts and results. I know Google and other companies still lack behind. But we can’t let them give up! It looks like they’re doing all they can to hire and attract more women and minorities. In the years to come, I hope to see their numbers rise. Think about the number of Blacks and Latinos who consume Google and Facebook products. I’m just saying. What can be done to increase diversity in the tech industry?
Aug 3, 2016 | Computer technology
Somebody celebrated a birthday yesterday. Well, a lot of people celebrated birthdays yesterday (happy 39th Tom Brady!). But it Windows Ten’s first birthday. How does Microsoft celebrate?
They celebrate by giving us a new version of Windows 10. Don’t forget: There will be no Windows 11. They stop at Windows 10. Everything else will be updates. This update will be called Windows Ten Anniversary Update. The update is free. But if you have Windows 10, you’re going to get the update, whether you like it or not. One update feature is Cortana. With your voice, you ask Windows 10 simple questions. Windows 10 will answer you. Your computer and smartphone will be able to talk to each other. The edge browser gets better. It accepts extensions from Chrome, Firefox and other web browsers. It also includes password memory assistance and ad blockers. And it uses low battery power. If you still struggle with passwords, you can use facial recognition. Just look at the picture and you’re in. Some machines us fingerprint technology. This is called Windows Hello. Windows insists your face and fingerprint will be confined only to your machine. Do you have a Microsoft Pen and Surface Tablet? Good! You can use sticky notes and a sketch pad. If you forget anything, just depend on Windows Ten Anniversary Update.
Personally, I think Windows 10 is the best thing that came out of Microsoft in years. Windows 10 Anniversary Update has some good qualities. First of all, it’s free. But some Windows 10 customers may not want this update. I don’t agree with forcing this down customers’ throats. I like edge browser’s password assistance. But I am not on board with facial recognition technology. It seems secure. But what can Microsoft do with your facial recognition? What can other government and corporate entities do with facial recognition? How much can you be tracked? That’s the scary part about fingerprint and facial technology. But the rest of this looks good, especially password memory. That’s the best selling point. I struggle with password remembrance quite a bit. I, and many others, could benefit. What’s your favorite Windows Ten Anniversary Update?
Aug 2, 2016 | News, Security
Pokemon Go can be a fun game for adults and kids alike. It can also be a tool for criminals and predators. The State of New York doesn’t want that tool to happen. New York bans Pokemon from registered sex offenders.
This is under the jurisdiction of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. This new law forbids registered sex offenders on parole from playing any online game, especially Pokemon Go. Governor Cuomo wrote Niantic, Pokemon Go’s developers. He called on Niantic to prevent offenders from signing up. NY State Senators Jeffrey Klein and Diane Savino came up with this law. They toured neighborhoods in which registered sex offenders lived. They discovered many Pokemon Go stops. Senators Klein and Savino worry registered sex offenders can use the ‘lure’ part of the game to entice children and underage teens. So, Senators Klein and Savino created a bill banning registered sex offenders from Pokemon Go, and all online games. This new law has it’s controversies. Cuomo insists this law will only affect the 3,000 registered sex offenders on parole. Some critics argue the law won’t be effective. Some argue this could be the start to online gaming censorship.
It do see Cuomo, Klein and Savino’s concern. In Missouri, robbers used the Pokemon Go lure app. But it wasn’t to get Pokemon points. They used the lure app to jump innocent people and rob them of their possessions. If robbers can do it, what’s to stop child predators from this kind of evil? Fortunately, I haven’t heard of any registered sex offender stooping this low. But if this law keeps children safe, then pass it and above all, enforce it! Just keep the law’s focus where it needs to be. This is not an excuse to trample on the rights of innocent New York citizens. Do you think this law is the right course of action?
