For around a decade, Skype has brought people globally via computer technology. What would it look like if we could understand every language through Skype?
Microsoft is having a conference to enable technology to bring language barriers down the world over. That’s where Skype Translator comes in. At the conference, they showed audio translation between English and German, using a combination of Skype voice, IM technologies, Microsoft Translator and other aspects of network speech recognition. This may sound new, but Microsoft has been working on this is for around a decade. If all goes well, Skype Translator should be available on Windows 8 as an app sometime late in 2014.
If Skype Translator goes well, imagine how easier international Skype conferences will be. I was at a conference where Skype was used recently. We talked with people in an underdeveloped country and thank goodness there was a translator to mediate between us and them. But that brings another issue. There are many, many languages out there. Then add that to the many, many dialects. So will just the most spoken languages be used or will most or all languages be included? More and more businesses are using Skype. More people are personally using Skype. And more and more people are connecting internationally. So this sounds like a good and sensible move by Microsoft. How else would the world benefit from Skype Translator?
Chinese hacking, spying and espionage: It’s not a novel plot, it’s real life.
And the real life plot thickens. The Feds are talking about stricter visa restrictions to keep Chinese nationals from US cyber conferences this summer, like the ones in Las Vegas. This is an attempt to slow down espionage. This includes the upcoming Black Hat and Def Con conferences. Leaders of this conferences aren’t liking this at all. Founder Jeff Moss tweeted, “…I don’t think it helps build positive community.” Some say the restrictions are pointless. Others call it ‘terrible’ and some even hinted racism. And it’s already happening. Last week, as many as twelve Chinese citizens were denied visas to attend a Space Fountain conference in Colorado.
I have to agree with the Black Hat and Def Con leaders on this one. What do these restriction bans going to accomplish? What they’re doing is punishing every Chinese visitor for something a handful of individuals did. That’s just ridiculous. And I don’t it will stop espionage. From what it sounds like, the conference leaders are siding with the potential visitors. This energy should be spent holding those already suspected of espionage accountable. But this decision borderlines racial discrimination. These conferences are supposed to be open and free societies, regardless of nationality. And how ironic this is from the same Feds that condoned the NSA spying on us all?
Just weeks after they cut off support for Windows XP, Microsoft is facing a hacking threat, and XP won’t be protected.
Software company Fire Eye Inc. discovered a ‘zero day’ threat. This means before Microsoft discovered the venerability, the hackers already struck. Now, they’re fighting a bug that could exploit Internet Explorer. In fact, according to Fire Eye, a hacker group is using this bug to target US and military and financial institutions. Their cause is called, “Operation Clandestine Fox’. As Microsoft works ceaselessly to fix this bug, it’s advised we disable Adobe Flash, because the hacking can’t take place without it.
But it doesn’t matter what Windows XP users do. That’s because XP users won’t receive support against this bug. So basically, if XP’ers get hit by Operation Clandestine Fox, tough luck. So that’s touch luck for nearly a quarter of all PC users because they’re still on Windows XP. If that’s you, then what are you waiting on? Just think, it would have switched by now, you would have probably been protected by now. We hate to say we told you so, but we’re telling you so. And after this threat is cleared, what about the next one? You’re living in a fairy tale world if you don’t think there will be a next one. So to my Windows XP’ers: What’s it going to take to get you to upgrade?
How bad do you want Google Glass? Do you want it so bad you’ll go through an exclusive process? Well April 15 may be your lucky day.
That’s because of April 15, Google will sale their portable Glass to anyone. So long as that anyone has $1,500. It’s only available in the US and this somewhat generous offer is for a limited time only. But don’t go looking for Google Glass at any technical store. You still have to fill out a form. This form includes why you want Google Glass. Google has increased the availability of Google Glass use, but you have the be invited to the Glass Explorer program. This offer includes a free shade or frame.
As far as making Google Glass more inclusive, this is a good start. But from what I’ve been reading, and what I feel, if they want to make this wearable computer more inclusive, come down on the price. I’ve heard suggestions of $1,000 (which sounds about right) to $150 (we’re talking wearable computer people, not a Commodore 64). And I say prolong this promotion, for as long as you can. If it sales well, make this available to some other nations. Just be careful which nations you choose. I used to scorn the Glass Explorer program, but now I’m understanding it. I can see why they want to be careful of who takes pictures with the bat of an eye. That kind of technology can be abused so easily. Will you be shelling $1500 for Google Glass?
Mark April 8 on your calendar, ladies and gentlemen. No, it’s not a new holiday, festival or celebratory event. If you’re not willing to change your Windows system, then come April 8, you may have nothing to celebrate.
On the day, Microsoft is expected to shut down Windows XP. That means all security, bugs, and virus updates will be gone. In layman’s terms, if you use XP to shop online after 4/8/14, you’ll be way more venerable to ID theft. If you’re storing data on XP after this date, your data has a much better shot at being compromised.? I know many have upgraded their systems in recent years (XP has been around for 12 years). But around 30% of all PC’s are still running on XP. Windows XP was already installed in nearly every computer built and bought from 2002-2006. Now the easy solution would be just to switch to a more modern Windows version.
And by this point, that’s really the only solution. It’s never good to keep any system for over a decade, especially if there’s been several replacements ever since. Now I know Windows Vista was a historic fail, but what about Windows 7 or 8? This is especially true for corporate firms that has been so comfortable with XP for so long. It’s time to move to a new version. It will take some effort: testing hardware and software, scheduling, and training employees for a new system. It will take money: If your computer is 10 years or over, simply buy a new computer. It’s time to let go. I know very few people like change. Very few people like to part with money and put forth extra effort. But wouldn’t you rather have the latest running technology for your business or household? Or are you willing to take a chance, hold on to XP, and risk everything you’ve worked so hard for being wiped out?
The Super Bowl is perhaps the biggest advertising day in America. But they’re not stopping with TV ads. This year, a more personal brand of advertising will great fans in grater New York City.
That’s because this year, the NFL [National Football League] has put up wireless transmitters so ads can be sent to your own personal phone. Though they’ve been testing this for months, if successful, this kind of advertising could revolutionize the ad and the smartphone industry. The first waves will start out with practical info and some in-store promotions. But privacy and legal advocates are saying not so fast. They’re concerned of tracking, spamming, and even identity theft.
Now don’t go watching the game tomorrow night expecting a text message from Budweiser, Go Daddy, Macy’s, Pepsi-Cola, or any other major corporations.?These ads will only go to those in Times Square and those watching the game live at Met Life?Stadium in East?Rutherford, New Jersey. That may not?be the case next year. I’m sure if they had their way, our phones will be blowing up with ads not only during this big game, but everywhere every day. I hope the advertisers know how annoying and what a nuisance that can be. And the advocates have a right to be concerned. In the wake of the Target and?Neiman Marcus?breaches,?it’s becoming easier?for hackers to steal IDs and ruin lives every day. They don’t need anymore invitations. But if they?keep it safe and keep it sane, these phone ads can be a good thing.?Come next Super Bowl, if you got a phone ad from any advertiser, who would it be?
