So it’s almost Super Bowl time. And you know people here in Boston, yes even in our computer service shop, are ready. That also mean it’s time for some memorable commercials, including in the IT service Let’s look at Alexa’s Super Bowl commercial.
So one commercial people anticipate is? ‘Alexa Loses Her Voice’. It lasts 90 seconds. Furthermore, it includes an all-star casts. It includes Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, singer/actress Rebel Wilson,? rap star Cardi B and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey. Yes, it even stars Jeff Bezos himself. It passes off as a comedy commercial, and does a great job at comedy. But you don’t have to wait for the big game to see it. Because Amazon is releasing the whole commercial. I saw the entire commercial on Tech Crunch.
However, many in the tech community think Amazon is subtly trying send another message. This shouldn’t be a surprise; this is Amazon we’re talking about. For example, Rebel Wilson wears Echo blue headsets. At the Las Vegas CES, Amazon talked a lot about earphones and other wearable tech pieces. But Amazon denies anything about new wearable tech goods? coming out. In fact, a spokesperson says these are just props. That’s what they say. But could this just as much as a curve ball.
Let’s look at something else. In 2018, it will cost $5 million to air a 30 second commercial during Super Bowl 52. However this commercial lasts 90 seconds. You do the math. Then, they got A list celebrities to star in this commercial. And you know these celebs didn’t do it for free, or cheap. I don’t know it they’re doing is deliberately, subtlety, or even sub-conscious.? But Amazon is sending a message to all: Look at how big we are and what we can do. Are they using this commercial not only to promote Alexa, but to intimidate the competition? Will Alexa’s Super Bowl commercial, and not the game or the halftime show, be the thing we talk about around the water cooler Monday morning?
Are you a commuter? Okay, in one way or another, I guess we all are. But what I mean is, do you use a public transit system to get around? If so, then Google Maps wants to help. Google Maps helps commuters.
So this new feature gives you live guidance and times of your trip. They also give you updates while you’re on your journey. For those of you with Androids, like me, this feature can appear on your lock screen. However, you have to do your part to take advantage. It’s fairly simple to do.
First, go to Google Maps. Then, search for your local transit directions. In layman’s terms, just type in your starting point and your destination as usual. Don’t forget to select the ‘transit’ option (usually appears as a streetcar). Then, and here’s the new part, it will give you a ‘start’ button on the bottom of the screen. That button gives you details and expected times on your train or bus. For instance, if you’re taking the A train from Main St. to Smith Square. This new service will tell you what time the next train will get there. It will also tell you how long the trip will take.
This is going to help a lot of people here in Boston. Our computer service shop is in a very urban neighborhood, and public transit is crucial to everyday life. I can say the same thing for other major cities around the country and world as well. Many of these commuters also work in IT service or support in some capacity. I don’t think this will be for everyone. However, keep in mind tens of millions of Americans live in cities where at least 20% of the population use public transit. This is how Google Maps helps commuters. Will it help you?
Google is cracking down on certain ads because they may put you at risk. This also follows years of complaints, especially by Android owners. It’s Google vs Lock Screen ads.
They’re going after shady ads that appear on your lock screen. This is according to Android Police’s new policy. Not only does this imply to fly by night suspicious apps, but popular, established ones as well. Perhaps the most popular app under the gun is ES File Explorer. It already has over 100 million customers, and shows few signs of slowing down. Well, maybe this Google vs Lock Screen ads policy will.
So why are they doing this? Because such ads could open the gates to spyware, and other dangers. Ironically, ads in danger include some anti-virus tools, especially the newer ones. The new policy states only apps that actually promote a lock screen will be acceptable. Furthermore, other ads will not be able to promote a locked device display. It sounds like they gave in to pressure. For example, last year, Reddit users posted a list of apps they thought were guilty of shady lock screen ads. Yes, this did include ES File Explorer. It also included HiFont and 360Security.
However, this isn’t the first time Google cracked down on bad or shady ads. In 2016 alone, they got rid of over two billion such ads. I don’t blame Google for their concern. Here in our Boston computer service shop, we treated spyware that started when they clicked on shady ads. We’ve fixed desktop and had laptops fixed that way. But there is a concern here. They’re also banning ads deemed, ‘offensive and inappropriate’. Those words scare me. Because those words lead to censorship. And with all due respect, we’re living in a culture where everything seems to be offensive to everybody. So yes, if they’re casing spyware and malware, then something needs to be done about that. However, if they’re banning ads because a few people are offended, then what could that lead to?
We had Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday, then Cyber Monday. But today it probably the most important of them all: Giving Tuesday. It’s an online movement urging people to give to their favorite charities/non-profits. And tech leaders play a part. Let’s see how IT service leaders celebrate Giving Tuesday.
So let’s start with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Then add Facebook. Together, they will match $2 million in funds raised today on Facebook for non-profit groups. Also, Facebook is waving the 5% fee on donations today. It’s a huge leap because last year, they only matched $500,000. However, the donations came in so fast they upped their match to $900,000 before the day was over.
They will cap each fundraiser at $1,000, or $50,000 for matching US nonprofits. This will go on until the overall global $2 million matching limit is met. Sound confusing? Well, the big non-profits will have individual fundraisers. Furthermore, Facebook users can create their own donation buttons. I saw some on my page and they look pretty good. So you can add your own donate button by just typing #donate. You can even do a Facebook video promoting your favorite non-profit. Matching started at 8AM Eastern Time. So go see Facebook today.
I applaud Bill and Melinda Gates for matching pledges. I also applaud Facebook for encouraging people to give, one way or another. But they’re not the only candy store in town. Just think of your favorite charity/non-profit. Look them up and make a donation directly. You may have their friendly reminders from them in your email. I got some. But I’m good with it. Because I know I donated to a cause greater than myself. You know, I just had a thought. If Americans got as excited about Giving Tuesday like we did Black Friday, or Cyber Monday, what would that look like?
My title is not sensational. I consider Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft IT support’s ‘monopoly five’. Because they’re so big nobody can compete against them. So this is a huge problem for tech start-ups…or is it? Can tech monopolies end tech start-ups?
So I read this interesting article on Tech Crunch. The writer suggests this ‘five power new tech order’ can be good for start ups. In fact, it suggests they may force young techies to get creative, even use the big five for their own advantage.? They talk about the TBH App. Facebook, one of the ‘monopoly five’, actually paid TBH creators millions to launch their service. So now, TBH’s founders salaries are the equivalent of today’s top NFL players or A-list movie stars. I can use that payday.
Maybe we should look at start-ups a new way. Because gone are the days of the rebel computer geek coming up with the next big thing. Then the article goes through other industries throughout the decades. For instance, all of the top 10 food corporations were founded before 1915. However, there are food start-ups making their products better. They even offered something they missed. People are making millions. In fact, last year, an 11 year old girl signed an $11 million deal with Whole Foods for her lemonade patent. Of course, Amazon now owns Whole Foods now.
That’s a wonderful story of the American entrepreneurship spirit. But I’m still skeptical of tech’s ‘monopoly five’ having so much power. Call my old-school, but there’s something American about a person starting their own business and watching it grow.In fact, that’s how our computer repair firm started. But the article is right about one thing: Silicon Valley isn’t the only candy store in town. The article suggests young techies go elsewhere for discovery. It’s so right. So I ask you: Can tech monopolies end tech start-ups?
A conversation comes up in our Boston computer service shop. In fact, it comes up everywhere I go. “Where is the next Amazon headquarters going to be?”, they ask. But some say, “Bring Amazon to Massachusetts!”, big emphasis on some.
However, mayors all over the Bay State bend over backwards to bring Amazon to Massachusetts. That is to say, bring Amazon’s second headquarters to their city. For example, Worcester, MA Mayor Joseph Petty was one of the first to file an offer. In this offer, he pitched a $500 million tax break over the next 20 years. Mayor Petty also states his city’s hard working talent pool.
He’s not the only one. Lawerence, MA Dan Rivera sells his town and region, the Merrimack Valley. He believes if they put Amazon in the Lawerence area, the headquarters would have easy access to all of New England. He has a point, because two major interstates go through his town. It’s close to Boston, Providence, and close to the New Hampshire border. Then there’s New Bedford, MA, a town in south-east Massachusetts. They’re offering cheap land, a public golf course, and beautiful beaches and waterfronts. South Weymouth, MA, another south east MA town, offers a former Naval Air Space.
But we can see why so many towns here offer the world to Amazon. The town that gets their headquarters get 50,000 jobs. And we’re not talking minimum wage, either. The average salary will be $100,000 a year. Furthermore, Amazon promises to invest $5 billion in the lucky hometown. I’m sure there are other cities in the country trying to get Amazon headquarters. So why do I single out Massachusetts? Well, Computer Geeks’s headquarters are here. But more to the point, this state is one of the best IT support states in the nation. The numbers speak for itself. I’m sure others states can claim the same. So to all my fellow Bay State people: Will Amazon come to Massachusetts? And if so, then what town?
