Apr 24, 2016 | Computer technology
North Korea is the most isolated nation in the world. Iran is one of the top ten most isolated, and has been since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s revolution back in 1979. But using Iran’s own technology, the Iranian people are changing that.
You see, over 70% of Iranian households have a satellite dish. The government uses them for state run channels. Meet a mechanical engineer named Reza (he’s using an alias name for reasons I think should be obvious). He loves his You Tube, but You Tube is banned in Iran. So Reza uses USB drive, MGEG file and software called Toosheh. With this, he decodes and gets fresh You Tube videos Americans like us virtually take for granted. Toosheh was launched last month in LA by eight American and Iranian pro-freedom and democracy activist. Toosheh is Farsi for bundle. It allows Iran satellite dish owners to use Iran’s underdeveloped, yet censored Internet. Iran’s Supreme Council for Cyberspace enforces some of the strictest online censorship rules in the world, banning everything from You Tube videos to American news to anything the Iranian government may count as ‘anti-Islamic’. But Toosheh takes advantage of Iran’s woeful tech infrastructure.
Toosheh is catching on. Since October 2015, it’s been downloaded over 56,000 times. For the first time, thousands upon thousands of Iranians have access to Twitter, Facebook, and You Tube. For the first time since the late 1970s, many Iranians can listen to American music and watch American TV shows. They can listen to Iran political satire, like Kambiz Hosseini. He has a podcast that can be compared to our satirist, like Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Samantha Bee. They even have access to e-books that are sexually graphic and books that explain their constitutional rights, or in Iran’s case, lack therof. I think Resa and the developers of Toosheh should get some kind of freedom or honor award for breaking such barriers. Could Toosheh eventually cause a revolution of Iranian freedom and liberation?
Apr 23, 2016 | internet, networking
Are you ready for the Olympics this year? Well, the host city doesn’t seem to be ready either. But Twitter is doing it’s part to celebrate and promote the once in every four year occasion.
The Olympic torch has opened up a twitter account. This isn’t a joke: someone really did open a twitter account just to celebrate the running of the torch. It’s under the username @OlympicFlame. The torch sends out tweets about it’s journey and will continue to do so until the games start in Rio on August 5, 2016. The torch will travel over 100 days, be carried by over 12,000 runners for over 12,500 miles, and travel throughout the host country of Brazil and Greece, the nation that gave us the modern Olympics back in 1896. One tweet says, “After spending years in the darkness I can?t wait to see the light of day again. Almost time to return.” Another tweet features the first torch runner, a Greek Olympic competitor expressing honor in upholding this tradition. You can also follow the torch on social media sites Vine and Periscope. The modern Olympic torch tradition started in 1936. The games were held in Berlin that year, among a whirlwind of controversy. In ancient times, they practiced this tradition as well.
And just like Berlin in 1936, Rio, and Brazil, are facing lots of challenges and controversies. A few days ago, a bridge collapsed, killing several innocent people. This bridge was going to be raced on by Olympic cyclists. There are stories of political unrest, like the possible impeachment of their president, Dilma Rousseff. There are stories of natural calamities, such as severe drought, mass animal deaths and sewage backups. There are stories of record high unemployment and inflation. They say many of the facilities won’t be ready by August 2016. Shouldn’t social media do a better job covering these issues? Is the torch running the only bright spot in this upcoming Olympics?
Apr 22, 2016 | General
China is known as the fastest growing economy in the world. It’s also a communist nation. Sure, they give you some freedoms. But if you get too powerful, Beijing will put a stop to it, especially if you’re an international company. Just ask Apple.
Six months ago, Apple debuted services iBooks Store and iTunes Movies in China. One day, they were abruptly shut down. Before Apple could even release these services to the Chinese population, they had to get the State’s permission. They got it. But one day, Chinese State Authority figures ordered iBooks Store and iTunes Movies shut down. This is baffling because Apple has had relative success bringing new services to China. Apple Pay is a huge hit over there. But the success is also their downfall. Apple’s products and services are so successful that the Chinese government is resisting and restricting Apple. Some say the State is doing this to slow the tide of American companies down and give Chinese based companies like Alibaba and Tencent a boost. Some say it’s social and cultural. Chinese President Xi Jinping is cracking down on Western ideology altogether. President Xi said Chinese cyberspace must be…ahem…’improved to create a positive culture that is a force of good.’ What did he mean by that?
There’s an elephant in the room: the Chinese economy. This year hasn’t been kind to the world’s second largest economy. They’re slipping and want every piece of money towards Chinese based businesses. Is that part of the reason China is cracking down on international business? I find that funny. Here was a nation that got rich off of taking our jobs and wealth (that the US government and US major corporations let slip by). But now other companies are taking Chinese business, China is sweating. Is that why they’re clamping down on Apple? What will Apple’s next move be?
Apr 21, 2016 | General
Since the mid 2000s, the Xbox has revolutionized the way we play video games. Now, a part of the Xbox era is ending…sort of.
Yesterday, April 20, Microsoft announced it stopped manufacturing Xbox 360 consoles. Xbox leader Phil Spencer said “…the realities of manufacturing a product over a decade old are starting to creep up on us.” But the Xbox isn’t dead yet, and don’t you dare throw your Xbox away. Spencer assured Xbox consoles in inventory will continue to be on sale until the very last one is gone. XBox 360 will still be on sale for $199 (why don’t they just make it an even $200?! It will be past that after taxes anyway). Xbox 360 made it’s American debut in November 22, 2005. It will turn 11 years old this November. Xbox 360 will continue to be supported through live services, online gaming, deals with Xbox Live Gold, and hardware support. However, some have shut their Xbox services. Sports network ESPN shut down it’s console app. That’s still no reason to throw your Xbox away. Obviously, just because you stop making Xbox 360, doesn’t mean you stop playing it all together. Xbox 360 will be with us for years to come.
Think about how long of a life span Xbox has had as the #1 video game console system. Xbox 360 is about to be 11 years old. To but that in perspective…Atari 2600 came out in 1981. How many of you were playing Atari 2600 in 1992? The original Nintendo came out in 1985. How many of you played original Nintendo in 1996? And Super Nintendo and Game Boy don’t count. The first Sega Genesis came out in 1989. How many of us played still played that in 2000? I’m sure very few of us played the same console for 11 years. This alone gives the living testimony of Xbox 360. What is your favorite Xbox moment? What is your favorite Xbox all-time game?
Apr 20, 2016 | Computer technology, News
Since the drone is a huge technological trend, the FAA implied strict rules to keep drones away from flying aircraft. Maybe the European Union and other European governments need to do the same thing.
A few days ago, British Airways Flight 727 was hit by a drone. The flight was from Geneva, Switzerland to London Heathrow Airport. In fact, the plane approached Heathrow when the drone hit. The Metropolitan Police (Britain’s version of the FBI) confirmed a drone hit the plane while making it’s decent into London, carrying 132 passengers. They can’t prove it yet, but if it’s an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), it would be the first time a drone hit an airplane in recorded history. But there’s been some close calls. In September 2015 alone, helicopter drones barely missed airplanes either landing or taking off at London’s Gatwick and City airports and Manchester’s airport. Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority (similar to our FAA) says no drone should be within 400 feet of a plane in flight. Drones should never be out of sight from their pilots. Drones are not to be within 50 meters of another person, car, or public facility without their permission. British political and community leaders are calling for stiffer penalties and better education about drone safety.
A law is only as good as enforced and explained. Both Great Britain and America need to do a better job educating the public on drone safety. Explain why the rules are there. Make clear the potential devastation and destruction that could happen if these rules are broken. Let the people know the harsh fines and potential jail/prison time for violations. Think about the emotional guilt: If your drone hits an airplane, and that airplane goes down, the blood is going to be on your hands. Thankfully, British Airways Flight 727 landed safely and nobody was dead or injured. Next time, it might not be so lucky. What should be done to prevent tragedy before it gets started?
Apr 19, 2016 | Computer technology, Software
A few days ago, I wrote a blog arguing the desktop computer is irreplaceable. According to this one article I read, I may be in the very few who think so.
A study was done on 53,000 Americans from all walks of life. All across the board, Americans are abandoning wired Internet and choosing mobile only Internet in record numbers. In fact, 20% of households today are mobile only, compared to 10% in 2013. That’s double in just three short years. Households making $50,000-$75,000 a year were surveyed. About 18% of them had a mobile home. Only about 8% of households the same income went mobile only in 2013. For those making over $75,000, nearly a third of those homes are mobile only. Back in 2013, only 14% of such homes were exclusively mobile. Even for those making under $25,000 a year, the number of people trading in wired Internet for mobile service has nearly doubled. In public libraries, less people are standing in line for use of the wired desktop computer. More are coming in logging on to WiFi and using their smartphones. In fact, more of the financially challenged are using public WiFi from libraries to coffee houses to restaurants rather than pay the cost of ever increasing cable and Internet bills.
This is what happens when only a handful of companies own the whole ISP (Internet Service Provider) industry. They can charge whatever they want, and whose going to stop them? When they’re too big to fail, they’re too big to care. Plus, think about how expensive a smartphone was a few years ago. Today, prices for smartphones are so low that pretty much anyone can afford one. We can’t really say the same thing for monthly online service. But wired Internet isn’t going away, anymore than the desktop computer is going away. They will be needed for years and decades to come. But do you see even more Americans going mobile only in the years to come?
Apr 17, 2016 | Computer technology, Smartphone
How many of you can remember the 1968 election? How many remember how volatile that was? There were two political assassinations, first Dr. King, then Senator Robert Kennedy. There was the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago that ended in riots. There was George Wallace, then a die hard segregationist who won half the South.
Today, we are in the smartphone era and the 2016 election is shaping to be almost as volatile. In July, the Republican National Convention will take place in Cleveland, probably with no clear-cut nominee. Nearly 20,000 will attend, including delegates. Most will be blogging, texting, Facebook(ing), tweeting, and You Tube(ing) their experience. A Trump campaign member says they will use their own tech hardware for communication rather than Quicken Loans Arena’s WiFi. Ted Cruz’s team works on an app to see where each delegate might be swayed. Expect FireChat to be used. That’s an app that doesn’t even need the Internet. It uses Bluetooth and peer WiFi connections. Organizers can even track delegates by putting RFID technologies in their badges. Candidates can ask delegates to download an app specifically for the convention. These are small trackers that can be bought and sold for $20. There’s also talk of an online check-in. We don’t know how many, or if any, Trump, Cruz or Kasich have supported.
Are you aware that by July’s convention, none of these candidates may have the 1,237 delegates they need to get the nominee. Then what? The last time the Republicans had to deal with that was in 1952. Obviously, this is a totally different world than it was in 1952. A lot more is at stake. Allegations of corruption and wrongdoing are everywhere. ?I think it’s disturbing enough they want to use RFID technology to track people’s every move, even in the bathroom. It makes me wonder, “What are they doing with the RFID chips in our cards”? I hate to say it, but tensions are so high within and between the political parties that I wouldn’t be surprised if rioting broke out, just like it did in 1968, probably even worse. And smartphone technology would cover it all. Do they have an app to help keep the peace? Will they come up with that?
Apr 16, 2016 | Computer technology
I can actually remember a time when not only the desktop computer was a luxury, but a status symbol. Not that long ago, people did just about everything on desktop. But now, with so many other options, I have a question to ask: Is the desktop dying?
I ask this because time spent online with the desktop computer has dipped and continues dipping. Online desktop use declined 9.3% in December 2015, 7.6% in January 2016, and 6% in March 2016. Some tech industry leaders say people are ditching desktop habits for mobile ones. But not so fast. For much of 2015, desktop online use actually went up. Some data suggests the desktop era is still very active. March 2015 was the most active use of desktops in the past three years. But that was March 2015. March 2016 paints a difference picture, as desktop online use dwindles over 20% from just a year before. However, some research says mobile and desktop Internet usage were increasing at the same rate. These stats aren’t only important for consumers, but for publishers, media leaders, marketers, and social media leaders. Many of them depend on social media growth and smartphone use growth to feed their businesses. But one thing is obvious: the Internet business is here to stay forever! In March 2015 alone, nearly 1.6 trillion minutes were spent online, whether it be through desktop or mobile device.
I have to laugh at people who say, “The desktop is going to be dead in five years.” No it’s not. Sure, mobile technology is taking over and probably will be. But ten years from now, I can almost guarantee somebody’s going to using a desktop, just like somebody is using a radio or television today. ?Offices around the country will be using them. Teachers and students at school will be using them. Many other professions will use them. Do you think the desktop is dying?
Apr 15, 2016 | Computer technology, Smartphone
The majority of us have smartphones by now. We seem to have a fascination with robots. But unlike the 1980s, these robots could cost us our jobs. How would you like a robot smartphone?
You can have one, thanks to a Japanese company called Sharp. This robot is called RoBoHon. It’s the first smartphone that dances; we’re talking about a robot here. Sharp is taking pre-orders. RoBoHon made his debut at Tokyo’s International Robot Exhibition last December. This robot/smartphone is 7.6 inches tall, runs Android 5.0 Lollipop, and powered on 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, and has 2GB of RAM. ReBoHon has 16 GB of storage and 1,700 milliamp-hour battery. RoBoHon carries an 8-megapixel camera and responds to voice commands. One of the creators thought this was necessary; they thought this is more natural. People are talking into their square smartphones all the time, thanks to Siri and other voice based mobile technology. But with this robot smartphone, you actually think you’re talking to a person, at least the phone seems more like a person. What’s not natural is the cost. RoBoHon is available through pre-orders, but it won’t be cheap. RoBoHon will cost you around $1,800.
Well, this is one of the first, if not, the first robot smartphone. We shouldn’t be surprised Japan gave us RoBoHon. This is the nation that gave us an all robot run hotel. This is the nation that gave us the robot swinger partner. That’s about as PG rated as I can put it; read this link if you want to know more?It’s pretty creepy stuff, huh???Thank goodness the RoBoHon is more innocent. It can dance and speak to you. Yes, it does have an innocence to it, but I’d still hide it from kids. They may think it’s a toy, but what if they break it? Do you have $1,800 to get a new one? Even if I did, I wouldn’t pay that much for this robot smartphone. How much would you pay for a RoBoHon?
Apr 14, 2016 | email, Humor, internet
Let’s talk about the emoji. They’re everywhere: Facebook, You Tube, Twitter, all other social media. You may think you’re sending a smiling, loving, or funny emoji. But some studies are saying that emoji could be easily misinterpreted.
A study was done at a GroupLens lab through the University of Minnesota. They observed the Emoji ‘Grinning Face With Smiling Eyes’. This one differs, depending what app and what device you use. The version of this particular emoji on Samsung Galaxy looks happier than it does on Facebook or Apple, but they’re still the same emoji. This causes confusion of how the grinning emoji is interpreted. Samsung Galaxy users, for the most part, thought the ‘Grinning Face With Smiling Eyes’ emoji sent positive vibes. Apple and Facebook Messenger users thought this same emoji produced either negative or creepy vibes. If that wasn’t confusing enough, a good percentage of iPhone users thought this was a positive emoji. So there’s confusion even among Apple users. And what about the more neutral emoji? The rain emoji could tell someone it’s raining in their town, or it send the message that you’re very sad. The eggplant emoji could tell someone you’re eating healthy or encouraging someone to eat healthy. Or you could be sending someone an insult about their weight or health.
My advice before you send an emoji: Know your audience. This study proves that. Not only know your audience, know the device you’re sending your emoji from. What might be funny to one person might be offensive to another person, especially in this highly offensive politically correct environment we’re in now. What might mean happiness to another person might mean doom and gloom to another. How often do you use the emoji in your life? What message do you convey? Which ones are the easiest? Which ones are the most confusing?
