So they say the eyes are the window to the soul. It looks like Apple’s latest developer Beta wants to take that to hear. Apple iOS 13 Face Time: Is this feature worth it?
So they call this new feature Face Time Attention Correction. With this feature, they’re hoping to make face time deeper and more realistic. For instance, there’s a big emphasis on looking the person in the face, particularly the eyes. I’m sure our parents taught us to look somebody in the eyes when talking to someone, especially in business. However, more people are doing business through tablets, laptops, and other forms of IT service. This Apple iOS 13 face time features wants to capitalize on that.
For the most part, people complain that with face time, you’re looking more into a camera than at the person. With Face Time Attention Correction, you’re looking more at the person. One happy customer says this app makes him look the person dead in his eye, and not looking at the camera. Then he compared it to something from the next century. Okay, I find that odd because look at how much next century stuff we already have. And we still have another 81 years in this century left. I digress.
If you want Face Time Attention Correction, then you better come correct with those premium Apple products. Because you can only get this on iPhone XS and iPhone SX Max. Now tech experts explain why this is. But what if this is just Apple trying to manipulate you to by the latest $1,000+ phone? Also, yes, you may have to look at the camera in the old way. But as long as it works, and as long as you can communicate, then I’m good with that. I won’t be upgrading to the latest gadget just to look someone in the eyes. For the most part, they probably don’t want to look me in the eyes anyway. Is this feature worth it?
We at Computer Geeks would like to wish all our readers and clients a very happy and safe Independence/4th of July holiday.
So we all remember the Google Glass flop from the early 2010s. They didn’t look good. They were too expensive. Also, there was huge issues about privacy invasion. However, one company is giving this smart glass thing another go. Well smart glasses work this time?
In Canada, about 65 miles west of Toronto, there is a IT service company they call North. Their main product is Focals. They look just like regular eyeglasses. Let’s say you walk down the street and see somebody in glasses. You won’t be able to tell if it’s regular glasses or smart glasses. Also, the only physical difference is the smart glasses will weigh more. But don’t let them fool you. These eyeglasses do everything any smart device can do.
If you do wear them, then you can expect notifications on your right lens all day every day, literally. We’re talking everything from texts, emails, notifications, phone calls, appointments, even sports scores of your favorite teams. It comes with a ring to help you scroll through this information. It even has Alexa software you can talk to. But you can’t just get these anywhere, and it’s a process to get these North glasses. They’re only two of them: one in Brooklyn, one in Toronto. Then, through 3D and AI cameras, they examine your head so your glasses have a perfect fit. Your glasses are custom made and takes 3 weeks to get.
If you choose to go through this process, North’s smart glasses will cost you at least $600. At least they look like human glasses, and not some monstrosity out of a horror movie like Google Glass. But I do see problems. How would you like it is you’re wearing glasses, then distractions come on the right lens every second? Not only could this be an annoyance, but it could lead to all kinds of accidents. Think of how crazy you look when talking to Alexa in these glasses. But it looks like you’re talking to yourself. Then look at the process and expenses you’ll go through even wearing these glasses. Will smart glasses work this time?
So around 10 years ago, Windows/IE was the top website browser. But in the last decade or so, Firefox and Google Chrome took over that role. In fact, over 60% of all Internet users prefer Chrome. Then I read about Windows 10 fights off competition.
As many in the computer repair and IT service industry know, Windows 10 will come out with their October 2018 Update. However, something catches the eye of experts. When somebody gets to a rival browser, a message comes up saying, “You already have Microsoft Edge-the safer, faster browser for Windows 10. But there’s more. It gives you a choice to ‘Open Microsoft Edge’ or ‘Install Anyway’. At the screen bottom, it said. “Don’t be warned in the future? Open Settings>”. What does this mean?
It means that if somebody sees something is ‘unsafe’ then they’ll heed that warning. Cyber crimes and hacking over the years conditioned us to think that way. So that means the user will continue to use Microsoft Edge as their main browser. That also means they’ll cut of their competition, Firefox and Chrome, because of this warning. Some may just ignore it. But think about how much anxiety there is in the computer world nowadays. Is this how Windows 10 fights off competition?
Now that they exposed this, they won’t be able to. Because now, they’re not going to include this in the Windows 10 October 2018 update. Let’s hope it stays that way. Because I must confess, this sounds more like a bully tactic than anything else. Yes, the goal of any company is to make a profit, and make a better one than your competition. And yes, commercials and politicians often exploit their competition’s weakness to make themselves look better. That’s the nature of things. But to suggest somebody’s computer may be hit with viruses or worse, that’s a little below the belt. How should?Windows 10 compete?
So I tire of reading about the Facebook scandal, and other IT service woes. Then I think, “What else is going on out there?”. I found a smartwatch that might interest some of you. Introducing the Android Skagen Faltser.
So we can thank our friends in Denmark for the Skagen Faltser. You read the time on an OLED round face. It can also serve as an alarm clock. You can wake up to a white on black color. If that’s too plain for you, then I see some cool blue color schemes as well. It has Android Fit for you workouts. It also has translations for your language needs. However, what it doesn’t have shocks me. It doesn’t have GPS, LTE Connectivity, or even a heart-rate monitor.
They say it’s because the watch is too small it can’t fit everything. According to many who wear this watch, it’s easier to use than many Apple or Samsung smartwatches. I like the display it has that tell you what time it is around the world. It can last about 24 hours without a recharge. It works with Android devices, and Apple ones too. The Skagen Faltser will cost you around $275. But you can upgrade with to a leather or metal band for an extra $20.
I’m not so sure about this smartwatch. To me, this really is a question about quality vs look. If you want a nice look, then the Android Skagen Faltser is for you. The fact that it’s from Denmark gives it a chic feel. I see the pictures, and it will give you props, especially is you were to wear it to our computer service shop. However, if you’re looking for tech efficiency, then this isn’t the watch for you. It doesn’t even have a heart-rate monitor. That should tell you something. As for me, I think I’ll pass. Sorry, but I like more efficiency and less look. Would you buy the Android Skagen Faltser?
So did your smartphone ever dial 911? I ask because this happened to me not long ago. I walked the streets, not knowing my phone dialed 911 three times until I checked the call log. But what about when a major IT service corporation does it, all day every day? This is Apple accidental? fake dialing 911.
So since October 2017, Sacramento County, CA received over 1,600 fake 911 calls. It didn’t come from prank calls, but from an Apple store in that county. The store comes from Elk Grove, the second biggest city in Sacramento County. Nobody knows what device these fake calls are coming from: iPhones, iWatches, or Mac books.
So this breaks down to 11 calls a day. It may not sound like much, especially for a major metropolis like Sacramento. However, it’s enough to slow down emergency services for those who need it. It could also block calls of people with real life-threatening issues. Furthermore, many criticize iPhones and Apple watches for ease to trigger fake 911 calls. For example, you can call 911 on an Apple watch by holding the side button just for a second or two. Apple did it like this so people can contact 911 easy in case of emergency. But it seems they made it too easy.
Yes, Apple is aware of the program. They also vow to work with local leaders and take steps to keep this from happening. However, Apple leaders remain tight lipped about what these steps are. Let’s face it. Apple isn’t the most popular brand out there. And Apple fake dialing 911 isn’t helping matters any. I might get in trouble for this. But in the computer repair industry, there are some techs who dread when a customer comes with an Apple product. There are various reasons for this, and this just adds to the growing lists. Does Apple accidental fake dialing 911 change your view?
Yesterday, at our computer service shop, a tech alerted me to something. Intel wrestles with two severe bugs: Meltdown and Spectre. So consider this a consumer alert: Intel fights CPU bugs.
But how bad is the problem? These bugs are capable of appearing on every CPU ever made in the last 20 years! So to put it in layman’s terms: Nobody is safe from this one! Then, these bugs let hackers use JavaScript to access memory during this cyber attack. This memory could contain anything, including passwords, usernames, addresses, places, codes, you name it. This is what makes Meltdown and Spectre so dangerous.
However, maybe we shouldn’t panic. Because Intel and other IT support companies say they made significant progress in giving out security patches and firmware protection. They believe these will guard against these two super bugs. Furthermore, Intel is issuing updates to all of it’s machines. According to Google Project Zero, they will help make these machine immune to these bugs. In fact, one spokesperson said that in the last week, Intel gave more updates this week then they have in the past five years. That just shows you how serious this is. It also shows you how dedicated Intel is to fighting Meltdown and Spectre.
Microsoft and Apple also address this potential crisis. They’re both offering either patches and fixes to fight this. Another thing that strikes me about the consumer alert: Intel Fights CPU bugs. Why is mainstream media so silent about this? Yes, some tech news does report it. But it had to hear it from a colleague. This sort of threat to this many systems should be breaking news. But for some reason, it’s not. This is the reason I’m reporting it. Not only so that you can be informed, but also so you can be safe. How can we be safe if we don’t know?
