Everyone knows the AI assistant is the next big thing in computer tech today. But Google Home is taking it to a new level. So how would you like Google Home to make calls for you…without your smartphone? Google Home’s voice calling make it’s debut.
Yes, this new system can place voice calls without a cellphone. Also, this new tool is now available in the US and Canada. It can support several users at one time. So let’s say you and a sibling are trying to reach a different person. This machine can know your contacts and will call the person of your choice. So that avoids confusion.
But you will need some kind of Google account, whether it be through You Tube, an Android smartphone, anything Google. Even a GMail account will do. However, the more contacts you have, the better Google Home will serve you. And here’s is the good part: It’s simple to use. All you have to do is say, “Hey Google, call (name a name)”. Domestic calls are free and easy. But for international calls, you need a Project Fi. Or, get ready to pay a lot of unnecessary fees. However, there’s one more thing. The voice calling may not drop on your system today. In some cases, it may take a few days, but that’s typical of most things Google.
In fact, that’s typical most things technology. I don’t know how well this is going to work. However, they are distancing themselves from Echo and other AI assistants. That’s what anybody in IT support needs to do. Tech experts say Google Home’s voice calling should work without a hitch. I hope so. They started promoting this in may, and now it’s August. At least it’s easy to set up. Just ask the speaker to set it up for you. But is it worth setting up?
The past several days are not good for Android/Google. Last weekend, they fought a spyware that got into your device. Then, I read about a glitch that messes up reminders. Android Wear Glitches: This is so bad timing.
This glitch is in the Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch. Smartwatch owners, not Android leaders, complain of bugs messing up the software. Furthermore, some say recent updates are causing these Android wear glitches. And then there are the watches that hardly work at all. All you can do is basic Internet searches like on an old PC. But some say these glitches won’t even let you control your timer.
But this isn’t the first or only problem with Android Wear 2.0. Many complain of their watch making false reminders. Customers thought Android fixed the problem with a patch. But apparently not. Because owners still claim some of their reminders are still missing. So some may say, “Oh, that’s just a minor thing. That’s nothing”. This is more serious than you think. What if you miss a job interview or deadline because your smartphone reminder doesn’t work? Worse yet, what if you forget to take your critical medication because your reminders were acting up? Now some may say, “They should remember that stuff anyway”. But remember how attached we are to smart technology today.
Google assures the public they’re fixing this Android wear glitches. They insists they the glitches will be repaired soon. But I think this is falling on deaf ears. How may times do they hear this? And yet, this is happening again and again. In computer repair, if people have the same mistakes over and over, then people get suspicious. The timing is so bad. Because the smartwatch business already isn’t doing so hot. Then, Apple is coming out with their smartwatch soon. Will the Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch survive?
Anyone running any business, including computer repair and specializing in laptops fixed, know how important advertising is. In fact, our Boston computer service shop focuses on advertising often. But one Burger King Ad might drop the ball. This proves that a Burger King ad, Google Home, Wikipedia don’t mix.
The commercial is 15 seconds long. But that’s about the only thing it got right. A man tries to describe the Whopper sandwich. But he can’t. So he tells you to ask Google Home to describe it for you. However, this is where things get complex. People will go ask Google what a Whopper or whopper sandwich is. Your answers will be fairly different.
That’s because Google Home’s answer depends on Wikipedia. Anybody can edit the answer quick. They often do. However, if one asks Google Home what the Whopper is, you’ll get a perfect description of Burger King’s signature burger. In fact, the description sounds a little too perfect. It almost sounds like something out of Burger King ad itself. Some suggests Burger King edited Wikipedia just for this commercial. So the consumer watches the commercial. Then, he/she asks Google Home, “What is a Whopper?” The consumer gets a perfect description. Therefore, the consumer will be so hungry, he rushes to Burger King and get a Whopper, maybe even the combo. Pretty sneaky, Burger King ad.
Well, in the past 24 hours, another twist came up. Google stopped Home from responding to, “What is a Whopper?” Furthermore, Wikipedia it’s Whopper page to it’s pre-commercial state. But you know Burger King could easily change it back, right? Plus, the commercial already gets major buzz. And is shows us the power devices like Google Home have over us already. As they get more popular, I expect such devices to only gain their power. But what do you think of this Burger King ad? Was it cleaver advertising or an underhanded trick?
So do you remember that one movie? The one where your TV spied on you and shared your conversations with the government and others? But wait: This is really happening to Samsung TV owners! So here’s a warning to Samsung TV owners: don’t talk too loud!
In fact, Samsung itself confirms it and issues the warning. They actually told customers their smart TV can pick up on every word they say. Therefore, they warn Samsung TV owners not to talk about personal or incriminating things. ?Their own TV’s voice activation feature can share the information with Samsung, the government, your employer, your family/friends, your church, your kids’ schools, anybody!
Samsung even talked about how the voice activation feature works. The Samsung TV owner uses this feature. Then the feature gives voice data to a third party. Again, keep in mind that third party could be anything or anyone. This happens after somebody activates a certain command. However, you can disable voice recognition. Just do so on the settings menu. Also, you can disconnect your Samsung TV from WiFi. Yes, you’ll be watching TV 1990s style. But to me, it’s worth it to keep your privacy and sanity in tact. A Samsung spokesperson insists they take privacy very seriously. The jury is still out on that one.
This is the third severe foul up Samsung had in six months. In September-October, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 phones exploded on customers, literally. It was so bad us in Boston can’t fix it with our screen replacement. Then, their washing machines literally blew up on customers. These two mishaps costs Samsung billions of dollars. And now this. This is the last thing Samsung needs right now! And wait until privacy rights activists get a hold of this. Don’t you think they’re going to raise cain over your TV spying on you? How much can one corporation take?
There are many smartwatches out there. They use many to tell our physical fitness activities, like heart rate monitor and number of steps. But what about smartwatch for gamers: It’s here.
So there is a company Gameband. This company leads the smartwatch for gamers. Gameband already brags about having the fastest processor in the world. They also claim to have exceptional Bluettoth 4.2, Android OS, and a series of apps. Furthermore, Gameband’s Micro SD capability provides fuel for games. Play these games on your smartwatch. Also, you can connect the smartwatch to your computer with a USC-B cable. That way, you can play your favorite game on your laptop. You do know our Boston techs specialize in laptops fixed?
So, these are smartwatch for gamers. But what games can we expect? Gameband is teaming up with Atari, one of the first popular home games from the early 1980s. They’re bringing back games like ‘Pong’, ‘Centipede’, and ‘Asteroids’, ‘Breakout’, and ‘Crystal Castles’. These smartwatch for gamers are already made. But expect deliveries around September 2017. Some of these watches should start at $99. Too bad those sold out. But you can still order them for as low as $149. But you better hurry. Because those will sell out soon. Next thing you know, you’ll have to pay full price, which is $199.
I like the price, for what you’re going to get. ?I like the technology and the support that comes with it. But I have a small problem with the variety. There needs to be more games. We’re talking smartwatch for gamers, here. The least thing Atari and Gameband can do is add Pac-Man. That’s probably the most successful game franchise of all-time. They could at least include Pac-Man. And what about classics like Donkey Kong, Frogger, and Q-Bert? It they’re going old-school, then why not include those? People in IT support are, many of them, huge gamers. Even those who weren’t born until the 1990s know about Pac-Man and Frogger. So why not include them? I have an even better idea. Why not team up with Nintendo and put Super Mario Bros. and Zelda in your lineup?
Looking at the title, many of you may say, “Aren’t there already smartwatches like that?” This one is different; so their makers proudly say. So here I am introducing the fitness infused smartwatch.
This smartwatch is called the Fitbit Blaze. It costs around $200 and it’s selling like hotcakes. But wait…there are several other fitness watches to choose from, right? There’s Apple Watch. There’s Pebble Time? So what makes this Fitbit Blaze so different? The last time I checked, the cheapest Apple Watch Sport will cost you $270. You can choose between steel or leather wristband. Bad news: There are no apps. Good news: There are other good features.
Features include a color touch screen, texting, calendar reminder and incoming calls with/id (like a smartphone, you’ll know who is calling). It records workouts,and ?has a stopwatch to time workouts. It records your heart rate, steps walked, and sleep tracking. But most smartwatches have that. One thing that sets Fitbit Blaze apart is the crazy long battery life. It’s battery life can go for four days. Apple Watch goes for about 36 hours. Critics call Fitbit Blaze ‘weirdly designed’, and claim the appearance leaves a lot to be desired.
That’s not what the Fitbit Blaze is meant for. This was meant to be a smartwatch, not a fashion piece. Fitbit Blaze just sticks to the basics. It tells you the time and gives you fitness updates. That’s it. That’s why the price is cheaper. So if you want to play show and tell, get an expensive Apple Watch. If you want the basics, get a Fitbit Blaze. Sometimes, simplicity can be beautiful. It does what is says and says what it does. So many people are bombarded by all these extras features it drives people mad. I think that’s why the Blaze sells so well. But from what I see, the only difference between Fitbit Blaze and other smart watches is the high battery life. I’m glad for the four-day battery life. But I thought there would be more differences. Would you buy a Fitbit Blaze?
