Have you ever compromised freedoms in the name of business? Ever compromise principals in the name of business? I ask because even in the computer repair business, that can be a dilemma. But Facebook faces that dilemma today. Facebook caters to China…no matter what.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants China. He wants it bad. As a result, he visits China frequently. He has a great relationship with Chinese President Xi Jingping. Also, he’s cool with Chinese tech leaders. He’s even learning Mandarin Chinese. But these aren’t compromises. Here is compromise: they’re building software to block certain info from reaching Facebook pages. This is from anonymous Facebook employees. This software prevents certain content from going on Facebook feeds. Consequently, this breeds censorship. Let me be clear. Facebook itself isn’t blocking content in China. But they’re enabling it, assuming this becomes reality.
In addition, this comes from a company whose motto is, “To make the world open and connected”. But look at China’s relationship with social media. For years, China clashed with Google and Twitter over censorship. They forced LinkedIn to cave into their censorship demands. Furthermore, they made Uber pay extra just to serve in China. And they still censored Uber. Under Xi Jingping, online censorship tightened.
I can’t blame Zuckerberg for catering to China. Look at their power. Also, look at their potential. China has 1.4 billion people, and growing. Also, how many of these people have online access? Let me answer that: lots. Let’s say Facebook gets 20% of that pie. That equals 280 million people. That’s alone is 90% the entire US population. So from a business move, I understand it. But as a human being and freedom advocate, I don’t like it. I can’t condone any software that supports censorship. And why? Because Chinese President XI Jingping doesn’t like it? Don’t let one man, or a group of men, have this much power. If I were the Facebook CEO, I’d live up to my motto, no matter what. But I’m not the the Facebook CEO. If you were the Facebook CEO, what would you do?
So what is ransomware? Ransomware is malware that blocks a computer or computer system. The malware will lock the computer until the victim pays a ransom of money. Here at Computer Geeks, we fixed an alarming number of ransomware cases in the last several weeks. And we don’t pay these hackers a dime! The rise of ransomware: it’s bad, people.
I saw an interesting chart about Windows and ransomware attacks. This chart compared Windows 7 and Windows 10 devices. Also, it shows both systems facing more malware attacks. In fact, by Microsoft’s own admission, attacks increased four times over in one year.? We’re talking more attacks since January 2016. Both systems’ numbers went up. But according to this chart, Windows 7 devices are more accessible to ransomware.
Windows 10 devices are 58% less likely to attack. Many credit Smart Screen Filter blocks. Windows 10 devices was the main selling point in converting from Windows 7. It was a free upgrade until August 2016. Now, the upgrade will cost $120. It’s good at preventing exploits before they even make it to the device. And then there’s Windows Defender. It says what it means. It means what it says. Windows Defender was upgraded six months ago. And it’s allegedly stronger and bigger than ever. Windows Defender blocks a good percentage of these attacks.
Other than going to Windows 10, what else can we do to prevent ransomware? The most important thing: Don’t give in to the hackers! Turn your computer off, wait a while, then turn it back on. Often times this works. If not, then call someone to get the ransomware off. We at Computer Geeks specialize in fighting such malware. If you give into these cyber criminals, they’ll have your debit/credit card number and everything else. Whose to say they won’t exploit that as well? Here are some other tips to prevent ransomware before it gets started. What else can you do to prevent ransomware?
The 1930s was the decade of radio. The 1950s was the decade of television. The 1990s was the decade of Internet. The 2010s is the decade of smart technology. We have smart watches. In addition to that, we have the new smart crib: a good idea?
There’s a smart crib called Smoo. It seems like Smoo automatically puts crying babies to sleep. That’s because it mimics the womb. It rocks the baby back and forth. Also, it comes with a swabbling blanket. Also, it has straps. The blankets and straps stops the baby from rolling over into dangerous places. This prevents SIDS and other catastrophes.
Here’s another Smoo addition: built in microphones. They detect when the baby cries. It detects how loud the baby is. As a result, the crib plays noises, depending on how loud the baby cries. It rocks while it plays noises. The noises mimic heartbeats from an ultrasound machine heard during a sonogram. But when it’s baby bedtime, swaddle baby in the organic blankets provided. It begins the calming process. ?The Smoo cribs come in small, medium and large. Most noteworthy is Smoo’s cost. The cost is $1,150. It begs the question: How much do sleep and sanity costs?
But if you ask me, $1,150 is far too much for any crib. I don’t care if it performs miracles. That is an insane number for a crib. If Smoo wants any business at all, they must lower the costs so more Americans can afford it. Other than that, the smart crib can work. It can give parents the rest they’re deprived of. Just keep in mind…Smoo is for newborns and infants only! This smart crib won’t help toddler tantrums. It won’t help your older kids get their grades up. And it won’t keep bad boys away from your teen daughter…or bad girls away from your teen son. Hence, this is for small babies only. But it can keep your babies quiet, happy and at peace. Thank goodness Smoo can do that. But is $1,150 worth the peace and sanity?
Intel has been on a spending ‘spare no expense’ spree to stay ahead in technology advancement. Last month, they paid almost a half billion dollars for Nervana Systems. That’s a new machine company. Meanwhile, Movidius seems determined to make a name for itself in the tech industry. They’ve made deals with Google and Lenovo, among others. They’ve come up with a chip called Myriad 2. This chip, roughly the size of a fingernail, can stream multiple videos at once. That’s why Intel wants Movidius’ technology, and their chip. Intel has their camera technology called RealSense. RealSence includes cameras, facial recognition, fingerprints and finger tracking, VR gaming, and new technology that supports drones. Movidius can help Intel’s RealSense tremendously. And Intel leaders know it.
Josh Walden, Intel’s VP of new technology, stated Movidius’ Myriad 2 chip offers lots of possibilities. It offers opportunities to help them track, navigate, and follow every scene picked up by an instrument, such as a drone. Intel wants this chip to help them in drones, robotics and virtual reality. I’m confident Movidius can do it. Little is known about this deal. It should be completed by the end of 2016. We don’t know how much money is being exchanged. We don’t know how many employees will be affected. I hope everyone at Movidius keeps their job. It sounds like Intel needs Movidius more than Movidius needs Intel. I’m interested to see what this merger makes. There’s a lot of talk of tracking and following. I hope they can respect people’s privacy. But in 2016 America, that’s probably too much to ask for. Drones plus chips equals what?
No, Google/Android isn’t coming out with a candy bar. Although, they got their hands in every other business, it wouldn’t surprise me if Google came out with a nougat candy bar. I digress. Here I am introducing Android 7.0 Nougat.
This new operating system is available this week. It can be used on Google’s Nexus devices. Nougat 7.0 boasts of new and improved updates. These updates include better Quick Settings and menus, new emojis, and battery improvement. Perhaps the biggest feature is Google Daydream, a mobile virtual reality app. Many critics praise the Quick Settings menu. You only have to swipe once, compared to twice with the old operating system. This was more of a competition move. Other Droid devices, like Samsung LG and HTC already have this. With Nougat, you can reply to messages without opening an app. Up to 72 more emojis will come with Nougat. We’re not really told what these emojis are or what they’ll be doing. They’ll be more diverse. That’s all we know. It will come with split screens. Nougat puts your phone into low battery phone. Here’s the crazy part: It does it automatically when you put your phone in your pocket.
Some things about Nougat 7.0 aren’t so good. It will take weeks, if not months, for Nougat 7.0 to debut on all Nexus devices. Then there’s the Google daydream. I’m sorry, but I’m weary of any virtual reality app that lets you play in VR 24/7. That just leads to social breakdown, to the point nobody knows fantasy from reality. So no Google Dream for me. But I do like the battery life. How annoying is it to always plug your battery because your phone is near empty? Automatic low battery preservation is a huge plus. So is messaging. How annoying is it to tap the phone several times before you can reply to a message? One swipe messaging is also a huge plus. We could always use more diverse emojis doing more things. Would you get Android 7.0 Nougat?
Just think: Five years ago, nobody ever heard of Uber. The only ride sharing services were taxis. Years later, Uber comes out. Uber starts a social media and app revolution. They’re not done yet. Uber’s self-driving car is almost here.
These cars are specialty made Volvo XC90s. Human drivers will just occupy the driver’s seat and supervise. The experiment will start in Pittsburgh. Later this month, Uber allows customers to choose these self-driving Volvos for service. There’s a reason this experiment is happening in Pittsburgh. It’s home to Carnegie Mellon University’s robotics program. This program helps Google produce self-driving cars. Now they’re helping Uber. That’s not all. In July 2016, Uber acquired Otto. I’m not talking about the Simpsons bus driver. I’m talking about Otto the start up driver less trucking company. Otto has 91 employees, all trying to bring self-driving technology to tech corporations. Otto currently develops big rigs to drive themselves so well drivers can catch up on sleep…while literally on the road! Uber will not produce fleets of self-driving cars. Instead, they’ll work with Volvo to produce self-driving models. Otto will help with lasers and other systems used in self-driving cars. Hailing a self-driving car will be as normal as any other car, even down to the price.
I must tell you, don’t go requesting a self-driving car in your home town. This is just an experiment. This experiment will only be done in Pittsburgh, PA…for now. But if Uber is going to get into the self-driving game, they should do a better job setting themselves apart. They’re starting to do this. They have Otto on their team; the other companies don’t. They’re not producing a fleet. Apple, Google and Tesla are. What I think they should do is invest in self-driving big rig trucks, maybe even put their name on them. I know the 18-wheeler isn’t Uber’s business…yet. But neither is car manufacturing Apple’s business…yet. If I were Uber, I’d work miracles with Otto and cause yet another social media and highway revolution…this time with mack trucks. How will Uber do with self-driving cars?
