Let’s talk about texting while driving. It is almost as destructive as drinking and driving. I say this because the statistics are alarming. Apple might have a solution. Texting and driving: Can your iPhone stop it?
So they call it ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’. Let’s say before you start driving, your iPhone connects to your car through cable or Bluetooth. Now you’re on the road. This ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ setting puts the breaks on texts, emails, and other notifications. That way, they can’t even tempt you into distraction. It will be available fall 2017. Also, it will come out alongside the iOS 11 software.
Furthermore, you can send replies to people while you’re driving. You keep your eyes on the road and hand on the wheel, because this app will let people know for you. However, drivers can still use the Apple Map systems. But just make sure you program your directions before you turn on the ignition. Because once you hit the road, you won’t even be able to program that. This app is serious about stopping texting and driving. Advocates like Joel Feldman, leader of End Distracted Driving, praises Apple’s move. So do many others on Twitter and other aspects of social media.
And frankly, so do I. In computer repair, we tell our techs all the time. No text, no instant message, no email is worth dying over. It can wait until you get to your destination. That’s not just true in computer servicing, but in every other faction in the world. Apple did put on the this product. I’m very thankful for that. But it’s up to the people to get this app. If you have an Apple product, please get the iOS 11 software and get this setting. It could save your life and/or someone else’s. Texting and driving kills. Shouldn’t Google/Android have a ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ like app?
This decade, Uber causes a revolution in ride share and the way people go to and from. But there are setbacks. There are complaints of discrimination, harassment, even crime. Therefore, Uber cleans house: starts with twenty firings.
All 20 lost their jobs because of harassment complaints. Also, they hired two executives to redo strategies. But it’s not just angry customers writing letters. It’s much bigger. Even former Attorney General Eric Holder is helping out. This started with former employee Susan Fowler blogged about sexual harassment at Uber. Then, several Uber execs quit. Not even CEO Travis Kalanick is immune. A video caught him arguing with an Uber driver.
But it’s not just the twenty firings. Because 31 more are in counseling over harassment. But it’s not because they want to be. And yes, Kalanick is also taking steps as Uber cleans house. He got his top software engineer to resign. This was because of a sexual harassment claim against him at Google, his last workplace. Since then, Uber hired two women executives. One of them is also their highest ranking African-American executive. Her name is Bozoma Saint John. She praises these changes, but says more needs to be done.
I think Saint John is right. Uber grew so fast. Their focus was on ?growing the business and grow profits and revenue. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, that was every business should be doing, especially every IT service business. But I think in doing that, they slightly neglected the workplace culture. It can happen to the best of us. We get so caught up in the money and profits. We sometimes forget to think about who we’re bringing in and who could be getting hurt. If we create an, “Anything goes as long as we’re getting money…” culture, the result will probably be a culture of harassment, bullying and discrimination. ?I don’t say this is Uber’s fault. For the record, I am a huge fan of Uber. But that’s just human nature. I commend Uber for cleaning house. Is this a lesson for us all?
Her name is Shelly Taylor. She’s been working in Silicon Valley since 1995. She advised companies like Yahoo and America Online during the dawn of the Internet. Yahoo could probably use Taylor’s advising now. But let’s get back to the Refugee Aid App. This app connects refugees with charities and other groups. Then these groups help the displaced get the emergency services.
Taylor and company started this app in February 2016. But now, over 400 charities use it to get refugees food, medical supplies, shelter, etc. Through this, these charities communicate with each other and the migrants they’re helping. Obviously, this is a free app. For now, the app is mostly in Europe, where millions of migrants continue to pour in. Also, Taylor’s app makes history. Because it’s the first app to give total coordination between charities and migrants. The Refugee Aid App lets the migrants know where the nearest services are. They even provide free legal aid for migrants.
It’s always awesome when somebody from IT support does something to help the world. I know there is a lot of political upheaval surrounding the refugee debate. But let’s take politics out of it. People are suffering out there. Innocent people are losing everything they held dear. Their only crime is being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Thank goodness for people like Shelly Taylor, who are using technology for good. We often hear people use technology for evil purposes, from hacking to sextortion. I even covered them myself. But it’s wonderful that someone in Silicon Valley uses technology to change the world, and even save lives. What are some ways in your life people use technology for good?
Another round of Sumsung vs Apple is coming up. So we all know who won the last round. But what is different this time? One article I read displays many things the new Apple iPhone 7 and 7Plus don’t have. Samsung has it…Apple doesn’t. Does it matter?
So the first two things that come to mind are the wraparound screen and video enhancer. This screen takes up so much space it literally wraps around the edges. Now, that could be a good thing or bad thing. But this should give Samsung 8 40% more screen than Apple 7. Then there’s the video enhancer. This makes your smartphone videos brighter.
But what struck me is the eye and facial recognition. You can literally unlock your Samsung Galaxy 8 screen with your eyes. Just hold it 10 inches or less to your face. Also, you can unlock it with your face. Furthermore, they brag about battery use. The Samsung people say this battery will hold 95% of it’s charging power a year from now. In layman’s terms, your battery will be almost as powerful as it is now. Voice control is very popular these days. So Samsung introduces Bixby. They say Bixby is the smartest voice yet because it processes bigger commands. There are other differences, but these are the ones that caught my eye. Samsung has it…Apple doesn’t.
I’m sorry, but the eye and face recognition scares me. If you have this recognition, who else has it? You know they do at the airport, or they’re at least trying to get it. I’m not a big fan of this new screen, either. Sure, you can see 40% more. But will you able to see everything, or is this screen so big you’ll miss something? I hope Samsung Galaxy 8 does well. In our Boston computer service shop, we’re just as anxious We all remember what happened to them last year. Will it matter if Samsung has it…Apple doesn’t?
Today, we use AI (artificial intelligence) for many things. We use them for video games. Also, we use them to build robots. But do you use AI for food? Pinetrest and AI: They’re what’s for dinner.
So let me explain. Social media site Pinetrest are using pictures of your food to suggest other dishes ?and recipes. The AI feature Pinetrest Lens allows this to happen. Here’s how it works. You take a picture of a soul food dinner: fried chicken, greens, buttermilk biscuits, chicken pastry, dirty rice, yams. Consequently, I just made myself hungry there. Pinetrest Lens studies this soul food plate. Then, they give you recopies to make your own dinner.
Hence, Pinetrest started it this week. Yes, Facebook uses AI technology to suggest when and how to tag friends. This is different because they’re using food to apply computer vision technology. They already have food recipe features on Pinetrest. Also, you can search for diet options that fit your life. For example, there are recipes that cater to vegans, vegetarians, low-carb dieters, and others. They better have one for carnivores. If Pinetrest and AI can tell us what’s for dinner, it would be a huge step in the AI movement.
But why? Well, we all gotta eat. Also, we all have our favorite foods and our own dietary lifestyles. But imagine going to a restaurant, say, a New England seafood style place. We have a fair share of ‘chowda’ in our Boston computer service shop. You take a picture. Then, AI gives you a recipe to make your own New England style dinner. It takes a few practices, but you make the perfect New England dinner. You bring your friends, family and colleagues. Suddenly, not only does Pinetrest and AI make you a great cook, but a great entertainer as well. How can Pinetrest and AI help you?
In the late 2000s, the smartphone and social media changed picture taking. Before, people used a physical camera. Then, they went to develop the film. But now, they just click with the smartphone. Then, they post it up on social media sites. But now, Google Lens changes photo culture…again.
So they introduced Google Lens last weekend at the Google Developer Conference. Just take a photo. Then, Google will figure out details for you. For example, take a picture of a coffee house. Google will tell you everything you want to know about that coffee house, from the hours to the reviews. Take a picture of a router. Then, Google Lens tells you how to connect to the WiFi.
Google Lens comes in Google Assistant and Photos. With Assistant, it will be like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. Lens entertains questions and guide you through voices. So when you take a picture, Google Assistant’s voice will tell you the information. Google Photos works a little differently. ?You take a photo. It will tell you what the photo is through text. So you have to read it. Also, Google Lens comes up with prompts of other photos to take. Say you take a photo of a whale. Next time you go out to sea, Google Lens prompts you on other pictures of whales to take. That’s how Google Lens changes photo culture…again.
We’ll see. It is nice to be in a different city and take a picture. Then your smartphone explain the business, shop, or other places. And before you go in, you take the picture. Google Lens tells you all you need to know. This helps you save a lot of money and frustration. Because if that picture gives you a bad report, you don’t want to go there. It saves you from even taking that risk. Those of us in computer repair always look for the next big thing. Could Google Lens be it?
