Mar 2, 2016 | internet, youtube
Yes, Facebook is desperate to promote and push it’s live streaming services. Live video was introduced back in December 2015. At first, it did fairly well. Then struggles came, and plenty of them.
Facebook even asks Hollywood celebrities to promote themselves on their live streaming services. They might even pay the rich and the famous to do so. Their COO, Sheryl Sandberg, is in LA pitching this idea to talent agencies. She’s looking for a handful of subjects (some believe it’s more like 100) to live stream regularly, and be paid modest amounts to do so. Eventually, this is supposed to generate more ad revenue for Facebook and the streamers through sponsors, sales and donations, sort of like how many You Tube stars get paid. Facebook doesn’t have ads to back up this live streaming…not yet. If successful, it could rise to that. But for now, Facebook hopes simple payment to live streamers will get the ball rolling. Payment could be in the six-figure range. That’s not modest at all for people like you and me, but these are celebrities we’re talking about here. And these don’t have to be A-List Oscar and Emmy winners either. Facebook could just as well go after B-Listers who know how to network social media.
Is Facebook trying to overtake You Tube? It looks like it. If they are going to use celebrities, they should use stars who could use the work. Frankly, I’m tired of A-listers having all the fun and glory and other good stars being left out in the cold. Plus, You Tube stars use Facebook for promotion all the time. Why not ask some of the most popular You Tube channel owners to help promote it and pay them to do so? Or should Facebook use a combination of everybody, including the not famous, to promote their live streaming services? Do you think Facebook ?live streaming will compare to You Tube?
Mar 1, 2016 | Computer technology
Last week, I reported on how Zenefits resorted to 250 layoffs to rebuild and restructure the company. Apparently, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Is Silicon Valley in trouble?
The tech bubble in Silicon Valley could be bursting. Investors are losing confidence, especially in start-ups. Investor company Fidelity is slashing their investments to companies such as file hosting service Dropbox, biotech company 23AndMe, and cooking delivery service Blue Apron. Last year, Fidelity dropped the value of it’s share in Snapchat. From June to September 2015, their shares went from over $30 a pop to under $23. The funding faucet by investors has gone from free flowing to, in some cases, trickling. Silicon Valley deals decreased by over a third. Venture capital funding is down 13%. Some magazine articles even forecast an outright Silicon Valley bubble burst, similar to the dot com crash of the early 2000s or the Great Recession of the late 2000s. Companies like Zenefits and Jawbone have laid off employees. Other startups like Uber are being urged to go public. That’s not a guarantee either. Since September 2011, no tech company has been giving an initial public offering. Many Yahoo employees have either walked out or been laid off. And news stories like what Uber customers endured in Kalamazoo, Michigan don’t help either.
But it’s not just Silicon Valley showing signs of economic slowdown. So far, 2016 hasn’t been kind to stocks at all. Some businesses have lost 20% of their stocks. Then there are the layoffs, and I’m not talking just talking about the technology industry. Retail giants like Macy’s and Sears are expected to lay off thousands. Small businesses are being shut down and boarded up. Our beloved financial powerhouses like Chicago Stock Exchange is now owned by China. It seems like the economy all over America shows cracks. So is Silicon Valley in trouble? Or is the American economy in trouble?
Feb 29, 2016 | Computer technology, Software
Remember when you had to go to a tech fair, convention or other public gathering to experience virtual reality? Starting March 30,2016, you can have virtual reality at you doorstep…for a price.
Microsoft’s HoloLens kit is taking pre-orders. These kits will ship to the US and Canada starting March 30. The holographic headset will set you back $3,000. This is only for the HoloLens, charger, Bluetooth 4.1 clicker, carrying case, microfiber cloth, and replacement nose pieces. The software will require a PC, Windows 10 and Visual Studio 2015. The headset alone has four cameras to capture the environment, one to build world maps and one 2MP camera for photography and video camera. The HoloLens has four microphones, ambient light sensor, and an internal measurement system that uses?accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect movement. It has two USB connections. It’s battery life can go for about three active hours without went charges. How much do you expect it to weigh: twenty pounds? ten pounds? Nope. This portable virtual reality kit weighs 1.37 lbs. Apps will include HoloStudio (see this link for explanation) and Skype. Both are Microsoft creations. An app called HoloTour shall provide the HoloLens consumer with trips and sights around the world…without even leaving his/her own home.
The future of virtual reality is here. That’s what Microsoft hopes. Microsoft has invested a lot of time and resources on this. But I think about the potential social ramifications of HoloLens. Could home virtual reality be addictive? Could it be so addictive people abandon their responsibilities, family, and friendships in the real world? I know HoloLens can be a great escapism tool, but sometimes you got to come back down to Earth. Try to imagine a parent forsaking a child’s needs or a boss/manager forsaking their co-workers because they can’t put HoloLens down. This could lead to the breakdown of family, households, workplaces, schools, relationships, and societies. I’m not too crazy about the price either. Is $3,000 worth the price of virtual reality?
Feb 29, 2016 | General
On March 22, Apple’s confrontation with the FBI will reach a showdown. But the day before that, the company will hold it’s first media conference of 2016. At this conference, they’re expected to showcase their new products.
These products include the much anticipated new iPad and 4-inch iPhone. Sources from BuzzFeed News said the date was moved from March 15 to March 21. But on March 22, Apple will turn it’s attention from the conference to the courtroom. The 4-inch iPhone will be about the same size as the iPhone 5s. But this new one will have a four inch display and a faster chip. Another selling point will be the support of Apple Pay, a mobile pay service that’s all the rage. Some new iWatches are also expected to be revealed. Sources say this will be a down scaled event compared to the one they had at this time last year. That one was at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, a venue in downtown that holds up to 7,000 people. Rumor has it this conference could take place at Apple’s town hall meeting in Cupertino, CA. That way, Apple won’t even have to leave their own campus.
I’m sure many are looking forward the new 4-inch iPhone and the new set of iWatches and other new Apple products. But I find it peculiar that this event would be moved to March 21, the day before a critical court date. It’s a court date that I’m sure the whole world will be watching. This must be made clear: Apple’s time, date and venue for this upcoming conference is strictly speculation. Apple has not confirmed anything and nobody is talking. Did they want to get the conference out of way before the March 22 magistrate hearing? Did they want to send the Feds and Apple’s critics a message? Why do you think Apple made this conference move?
Feb 27, 2016 | Uncategorized
The hits keep on coming for Silicon Valley start-up Zenefits. First came the leadership shake-ups. Then came the partying allegations. Now, it’s learned Zenefits is laying off 1/6 of it’s entire work force. The reason: ‘to refocus’.
The once 4.5 billion dollar company is now struggling to make any revenue or any profit. One investor marked down share value. New COO David Sacks is on the a crusade to get Zenefits back on the right track. First, he banned alcohol and sex on the stairwells. Now, he’s letting go of 250 workers. According to Sacks’ own statement, sales and recruitment departments will be the hardest hit by these layoffs. He believes this move will grow the business in ways that will benefit and attract customers. In the email, Sacks says the layoff decision was the most difficult decision of his career, but this is what it takes for Zenefits to get better. He insists the layoffs were not because of poor performance, but admits the company grew too fast and culture got way out of control. The email talks about failed tech comebacks Sacks witnessed because of obsolete technology. He doesn’t want Zenefits to join the dubious club. He promises, and with confidence, Zenefits will overcome the recent struggles.
In this case, a ‘refocus’ is what Zenefits need. First there were questionable ethics as employees were taught shady ways to sell insurance. That led to the downfall and removal of their own former CEO and founder. You know things are bad when the founder and CEO of a company are asked to leave the very company they built. Then came stories of wild partying and an inappropriate work culture, such as condoms, beer cans and cigarettes found on the stairwell. I can see why small businesses (their main clientele) are weary of a company like this. Zenefits needs to be turned inside out, then start over from scratch. I’m sorry for the layoffs and wish those affected well in their future endeavors. But in Zenefits’ case, this is a necessary pain. Do you think the layoffs were needed to refocus?
Feb 26, 2016 | News
Last night was the last Republican debate before the critical Super Tuesday elections. As you could expect, the five remaining candidates could hardly agreed on anything. But they all agreed to side with the FBI over Apple.
The case of Apple vs FBI was brought up at the debate. Here’s an explanation of that case. When the moderator asked would he initiate a forced Apple compliance, Rubio replied, “Absolutely…their brand is not superior to the national security of the United States of America.” Ted Cruz used his legal knowledge to assure this won’t compromise Fourth Amendment rights. But Cruz believes the FBI order should be enforced when it comes to terrorists like the San Bernadino shooters. John Kasich criticized President Obama for not getting Apple and FBI together and reaching a compromise that would protect the people and ensure our rights aren’t compromised. Dr. Ben Carson fears Apple’s refusal to comply with the order could allow terrorist to think they can get away with things in America. Donald Trump has been the most outspoken of all against Apple. During an interview a week earlier, Trump replied “Who do they think they are?” He said Apple has to open the phone up. So let’s keep GOP score: FBI 5, Apple 0.
It’s not just the GOP that’s siding with Apple. A survey said the majority of the American people side with the FBI as well. Not even Democratic candidates Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders completely side with Apple. They both call for middle ground. So what does Tim Cook need to do to convince people he’s doing the right thing? Remember when people were so outraged when Edward Snowden’s NSA revelations came out in 2013? What happened to that? It sounds like we’ve almost gotten used to our new world. Should Tim Cook just buy some air time to explain his side of the story?
Feb 25, 2016 | internet, News, Security
Terrorist group ISIS, or Islamic State, makes direct threats at Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. These social media outlets are fighting to silence the terrorist group’s propaganda of murder and jihad.
The Islamic State made the threats in a 25 minute propaganda video. They don’t stop with threats to Zuckerberg and Dorsey. The deep, obviously disguised voice brags about how Islamic State hacked 10,000 Facebook accounts, 5,000 Twitter profiles and 150 Facebook groups. They claim after they were hacked, the accounts were given to Islamic State supporters. The video admits this is in retaliation of Facebook and Twitter’s campaigns to suspend accounts created by the terrorist groups. Twitter has suspended 125,000 profiles linked to ISIS. The video threatened to create one for every ten Twitter profiles removed. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Zuckerberg declared, “If we have opportunities to basically work with governments and folks to make sure that there aren’t terrorist attacks then we’re going to take these opportunities…”. There’s been pressure on other Internet companies to crack down on ISIS, especially after last fall’s terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino. Nobody at Facebook nor Twitter has yet to comment on this recent video.
But ISIS often uses social media for propaganda and recruitment. They’ve shown You Tube videos of them serving ice cream to kids. They’ve sent messages to lonely and venerable women promising them the world if they leave everything behind and join them in Syria, even paying for their one-way plane ticket. So Zuckerberg and Dorsey are doing what any businessman, and any concerned upstanding citizen would do. They’re protecting their businesses and customers from a serious threat by any means necessary. ?It must be working. The Islamic State wouldn’t be threatening them if it had no effect. If I saw Dorsey and Zuckerberg, I would encourage them to keep the fight up. I’d say intensify it. Don’t give in. Don’t give up. Social media should NEVER be used to recruit others for murder, war, jihad, or other acts of such demonic evil. Shouldn’t other online companies and leaders follow Dorsey and Zuckerberg’s example?
Feb 24, 2016 | General
Do you think your workplace is too strict? ?You might want to work at Zenefits.
Zenefits, based in San Francisco, is a prosperous multi-billion dollar human resources software company. Apparently, it’s infamous for debauchery. Employees were sent letters to stop having sex on the stair steps. These letters circulated only after used condoms and other pieces of evidence were found, like cigarette butts and empty beer cans. One Zenefits letter The Journal obtained went even further. In this one, employees were told not to eat, drink, smoke or have sex on the stairwell. The ‘party’ culture got so intense Zenefits had to find a new CEO and co-founder, after unlicensed salespeople were allowed to sale and trade. In fact, there are pictures of employees pouring hard liquor shots and riding on party buses (carrying bottles of Fireball Whiskey) ?floating all over social media. But Zenefits’ experiences aren’t unique in Silicon Valley. It’s fairly common to offer happy hours and beer on tap, sometimes even in the office. There’s a book accusing Facebook of a ‘fraternity house culture’.
First off, I am not condemning Zenefits at all. In fact, I think they’re onto something. What happened with Zenefits is they took it too far. Some employees got careless and sloppy, and hey, if you abuse privileges, you often lose them. But I think going out for a few beers or glasses of wine could be a good thing, so long as it’s done legally and tactfully. This is a stressful world we live in, and it’s not getting any more relaxing. If it takes a beer cooler, meat lovers pizza and doughnuts, or an designated smoke area to calm nerves, strengthen comrade, and do a good job, then so be it. Just be dignified and responsible about it. I am not advocating Animal House here. But with Americans stressing more than ever and working longer for less, I think it’s time we loosen up some. What would you do if your office turns into hedonism?
Disclaimer: We at Geek Choice will NOT be held liable for lifestyle choices made by the reader! Please act with responsibility, class and dignity.
Feb 23, 2016 | Uncategorized
The conflict between the FBI and Apple intensifies over an iPhone. That iPhone was owned by San Bernadino shooter Syed Farook. Through a court order, the Feds want Apple to unlock the phone. Apple refuses. Many are takings sides, mostly on Apple. But the FBI gains an unlikely ally.
Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates supports the FBI’s order to unlock Farook’s iPhone. In a Financial Times article, Gates said tech companies should cooperate with government agencies, by legal force if necessary. Gates believes the potential threats to privacy and civil liberties are overblown. He stated, “This is a specific case where the government is asking for access to information. They are not asking for some general thing, they are asking for a particular case.” Gates is about the only Silicon Valley leader siding with the FBI. Others, like Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey and Sundar Pichai all side with Apple. Apparently, the majority of Americans don’t share the same comrade Silicon Valley does. According to the latest survey, 51% of Americans side with the FBI. Only 38% side with Apple. The rest are undecided. But Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t backing down. He sent a letter to employees explaining his vehement opposition to the FBI court order. He believes hundreds of millions of people’s data is on the line, and this case could set a dangerous trend for us all. But the FBI Director James Comey isn’t backing down either. ?He insists this isn’t about legal agendas, but about the victims and justice.
Bill Gates welcomes the debate and believes the debate needs to take place. And it is. Apple customers are expected to demonstrate on the company’s behalf carrying picket signs like, “Don’t break our iPhones.” So Gates, a major tech leader, sides with the Feds. But a former CIA chief sides with Apple. I’ve already stated my stand. Whose side are you on?
Feb 21, 2016 | internet
Everywhere you turn, it seems like Americans are working harder and longer for less and less. The technology world is not excluded from this new reality. Jut ask former Yelp employee Talia Jane.
Friday afternoon, this Yelp customer service representative wrote a letter to CEO Jeremy Stoopelmen complaining of low pay. Two hours later, Talia Jane was suddenly fired for that letter. That letter, and her response, made it to Twitter and has been circulating social media ever since. Jane’s letter brings up two other issues. The cost of living in Silicon Valley/Bay Area is becoming unbearable. The letter states that Jane earned a bi-weekly paycheck of $733, 80% goes to paying the rent. She’s not alone. The 25-year-old stated most colleagues around her age are struggling economically. It’s so bad that they have to take second jobs and/or live with their parents. Even Stooplemen tweeted in agreement that costs of living were astronomical. ?The letter also kills the stereotype of the Silicon Valley techie as overpaid and entitled. One tech rep wrote they will move some of their customer support team to Phoenix, Arizona. The housing market is cheaper, and they will be paid the same wage. Stooplemen insists Jane’s firing had nothing to do with her protest letter or Twitter campaign.
I hope Stooplemen is telling the truth on that. Nobody should be fired because of a complaint letter that was sent to the CEO before it hit social media. I could see if Jane made a malicious social media smear campaign, but clearly she didn’t. This was a genuine concern of her own survival. Even Stooplemen agreed on that, somewhat. But there is a crisis of wealth inequality in this country. Even political candidates address this. For instance, in the mid-1980s, the average CEO made 30 times that of the average American wage earner. Today, the average CEO makes over 300x that of American wage earners. So this problem is by no means limited to Yelp or the computer tech industry. And frankly, I don’t see it getting any better. Do you?
