So several times now, I talked about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Fold phone. This could be a revolutionary event in the smartphone and IT service game. Or it could be the biggest flop since 2013’s Google Glass. But let me ask you. Is the Samsung Galaxy Fold worth $2,000?
So yes, it’s here and it’s available now. Off the bat, this mammoth has 12 gigs of RAM and 512 and six cameras. That’s enough to literally, hold data on a small nation. Even when you shut the foldable phone, you still have your main camera to make social media videos. You can use two of them when you open them up. Then the other three are in the back of the phone. It also has two screens, one when close and one when opened. So you almost get 3 for the price of one.
That’s what right with the Samsung Galaxy Fold. But what’s wrong with it? If you can get over that big, obvious crease in the middle of the screen, then you’re doing better than most. Critics also complain about how bulky it is to carry. There is no expandable storage. There is also no 5G (which is a good thing, depending on who you ask). And that $2,000 price isn’t for everybody. But then again, this is a ‘luxury’ phone, right?
However, it’s a better deal than the $2,600 Huawei folding phone. But there are more complications. Yes, the phone is available to order for shipping, but when will you get it? I ask because the demand is so great, they had to push back the shipping dates. So if you have to have this thing, like a few of our computer repair clients do, I strongly urge you to wait until they’re in stores after April 26, 2019. But I ask you again. Is the Samsung Galaxy Fold worth $2,000?
So, many people think fingerprint technology guarantees them security on their smartphones. It doesn’t. Look at the Samusung Galaxy S10 fingerprint breach.
So this new smartphone is supposed to lead the world in crypto IT service. Some in the IT support community said this phone is totally hack-proof. But it isn’t. Because according to this telling video, anyone with determination can break into the allegedly super-secure fingerprint scanner. Then, they can get all your ‘crypto’ info, even what’s in your cryptowallet. In fact, all you need is a 3D printer and a pair of gloves to pull this cyber job off.
The man’s video shows he can break into this high-tech system in around 15 minutes. Furthermore, it only took him three tries. He states a 3D print will unlock the phone just as good as the owner’s fingerprint does. Then, anybody can go to town with your Samsung Galaxy 10. This is where the printing gloves come in. Let’s say someone steals the phones. When the thief gets comfortable, they can use the gloves and 3D printer to take your fingerprints and break into your phone with your own fingerprint! The video producer warns about banking apps that demand only your fingerprint.
And if they get your fingerprint and break into your bank account… need I say more. You can virtually kiss your financial security goodbye. That’s just one way the Samsung Galaxy S10 fingerprint breach can wreck your life. So this should be a warning to especially the cryptocurrency makers. Don’t just depend on this revolutionary technology and think you’re invisible. Because clearly, you have work to do. And to consumers who think they can just throw money at the problem, you can’t. Do you really think paying $1,000 for a smartphone will guarantee you safety? Is fingerprint security really any better than password security?
So round one of Chinese smartphone giant Huawei vs the US government actually took place in Barcelona, Spain.?This showed up at the last Mobile World Congress. It’s not over yet. In fact, it’s moving to this country. This is Huawei vs USA part two. The lawsuit.
So now, Huawei sues the US government, claiming the USA is limiting them on doing business. The Chinese smartphone firm claims what they’re doing is unconstitutional. Their lawsuit complains about import tariffs the Feds put on them. It also says this makes it impossible for them to do business here in the USA. Furthermore, one exec accuses the US of a spreading a smear campaign, trying to keep American consumers from Huawei.
Yes, the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) does forbid the US gov’t to do business with Huawai. But legal experts say it’s because of national security reasons, not business. The lawsuit is in Texas. The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs don’t even have due process. It’s not just Huawei that’s sounding off. Because the Chinese government is coming to their defense. In fact, one of their foreign minister leaders call this lawsuit “…totally reasonable and understandable”.
But experts say this won’t last very long. Because of the national security issue, they may just dismiss this one. I hope they do. Because you can’t put business ahead of national security. I don’t care what business it is, IT service, smartphones, computer repair, or anything else. Yes, I’m sure the Trump trade war has a lot to do with this. Though Huawei plays the victim, I have little sympathy for them. Look at how hard they’re trying to push 5G technology. Then look at the dangers of 5G that scientist have covered. Yes, the smartphone industry could use more competition. But do we really want it to come from Huawei? What is your take on the Huawei vs USA part two?
So let’s start by wishing the Samsung Galaxy franchise a happy 10th anniversary. However, look at how they celebrate. They do so by introducing the Samsung Galaxy S10.
The size doesn’t change much. This one is 6.4 inches, not that different from old Samsung Galaxys. But here is a huge difference: under display fingerprint technology. They say this is even more secure that facial recognition. Because this uses Qualcomm 3D Sonic Sensor to check your unique pores of your fingertip. Then, it scans and matches it. But from what I hear, it is a royal pain to get this set up. Some smartphones abandon jacks. The Samsung Galaxy S10 has ports and jacks a-plenty.
This device has Gorilla Glass 6. This will help you gain access to wireless charging. It’s the Wireless PoweShare. Turn your phone down, place another phone on top of it, and the top phone will trickle it’s power down to yours. IT service critics rave about the camera, which takes all kinds of crazy angles, and it’s three-camera array. I saw a cool slide of the wings of a plane landing with this. But perhaps the most awesome thing is the price…and not in a good way. This phone will cost you $1,000. If you start talking about foldable phones, then you’re looking at $1,900.
Personally, I wouldn’t even bother with the Samsung Galaxy S10. There, I said it. Yes, I know Apple’s iPhone X cost that much. But at least they did something revolutionary. So people wanted to pay that much because they thought they were on the verge of computer tech history. You don’t see that with this Samsung. And I’m not liking this fingertip technology. It’s too much work to set up. Then, what if it doesn’t work? And yes, sucking energy from one device to the next may seem cool. But just give me the plug-in charger, thank you very much. I’m not buying this new Samsung. Are you?
So far, things are not boring at the Barcelona Mobile World Congress (MWC). First, there is the controversy surrounding China smartphone company Huawai. Then, we have the public display of a technology you wear…inside your skin. Man shows off their RFID Chip: stunt or new reality?
So actually, several people took the stage here. The first man shows off their RFID chip. One was Edger Pons, who publicly got the chip inserted under his skin. He testified how he had an ‘automatic’ house. That means your doors and other openings are keyless. You have to have either a password or device to open them. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice. He says not only will it make it easy for him to access his house, but he can take it out anytime he wants.
The second man, who is now an RFID chip veteran, goes by the name of Pau. This man shows off their RFID chip by putting his smartphone under the chip’s skin entry. This was to show how easy it is to pay for goods simply by using his chip and/or smartphone. Sabadell, is the Spanish bank chain that sponsor this. And Sabadell executives looked on and bragged with pride. Then there’s the third person, name an engineer and curator for Alpha. That’s a Barcelona IT support firm. While this was going on, he assures the chip will NOT degrade in your skin, and bragged on other features.
But what is to make of this?? Well, they don’t tell you that you can be tracked 24/7 with if you get this RFID chip. They also don’t tell you you basically sell your privacy, what little we have left, for a little bit of convenience. Yes, Pons says he can take it out anytime he wants. But do you want to be your own surgeon every time you want to take this chip out? In this crazy IT service and tech business, I learned years ago to look at what they’re not saying. Is this a stunt or new reality?
So remember when the iPhone X came out at around $1,000? That was pretty outrageous. Then came the iPhone XS and XS Max, which ran as high as almost $1,500. But Huawei, the Chinese smartphone giant, is about to top them all. Huawei makes news for right and wrong reasons.
So Huawei is coming out with their latest phone, the Mate X. It’s their new folding phone, and you can expect to pay $2,600 for it. The folding phone seems to be the next big thing. Huawei wants the biggest piece of that they can get. But folding phones don’t come cheap. For example, Samsung has a folding phone that’ll cost $1,900. Some leaders explain that when the notebook came out, it was unbeleivebly expensive. But as it got more popular, the prices became more affordable. That is Huawei’s hope for their $2,600 Mate X.
Huawei is also quite the star at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress (MWC). In fact, they’re so big that multiple nations are blocking their 5G infrastructure. This includes the US, Australia and Japan. In Barcelona, people of the MWC claims Huawei said, “…Huawei has now completely taken over the normal course of events”. But the US is especially critical of Huawei, and the feeling is mutual. One Hwawei brags that there is no way the US can beat them.
But Huawei may have an unlikely ally…US President Donald Trump. In a tweet, he hints that he welcomes Huawei as competition. Chairman Ken Hu tweeted back that he agreed and wants to work within the US. The 5G debate has been heated and controversial, to say the least. And Huawei is in the middle of it. But this Mate X could be the next big thing in IT support, IT service, and smartphone use. That’s how Huawei makes news for right and wrong reasons. What do you think of Huawei?
