June Digital Insights: Flattened Internet, AI Gaffes, and Scam Survival
Keep up to date on curated AI, security, tips, tricks and more with The Digital Life!
Happy June and welcome to another edition of "The Digital Life"! Once again, let’s get into the latest trends and must-know updates in the tech world, all curated to perfection!
In this issue:
The Big Think: Explore the concept of internet and culture "flattening" driven by algorithmically curated content.
Scam Patrol: Beware of a massive scam operation defrauding 850,000 people with fake e-commerce sites.
AI Beat: Google's new AI assistant Astra shows promise but raises privacy concerns, while another AI mishap hilariously pulls answers from The Onion.
Free Zoom Presentation: Join me on June 12th at 1 PM Pacific for a tech talk on navigating the digital landscape and staying safe from scams.
Tips Tips Tips: Discover the best photo printing services and the top Windows 11 shortcuts to save you time and keep you secure.
The Bonus Round: Samsung's creative response to Apple's iPad Pro ad highlights the importance of keeping humans in the creative loop.
We’re your reliable guide in the ever-evolving digital world. Stay curious, stay informed, and enjoy the digital ride! 🌐🚀
The Big Think - it’s a flat, flat world.
In this month's "The Big Think," we dive into the concept of internet and culture "flattening" driven by algorithmically curated content. I have thought about the concept in depth lately, having recently picked up a copy of Filterworld by Kyle Chayka.
Essentially, the internet was once a vast landscape of unique and varied content. Now, due to algorithmically driven content, it’s become increasingly homogenized, where the same type of content is pushed to the top across different platforms.
If we only see what others like, this forces creators to create more of the same content to get noticed. As a result, we stifle creativity and narrow our exposure to diverse perspectives.
On the net these days, you’re fed a steady stream of similar, algorithm-approved material. This impacts your online experience and shapes your understanding of the world in ways you often don’t even realize.
Check out this excellent read from Stratechery, and remind yourself how important it is to be aware of these underlying mechanisms and to seek out diverse content online.
In the News
Apple's new iPad Pros are thinner, feature the powerful M4 chip, and boast tandem OLED displays for an enhanced visual experience. Their ad also caused quite a stir! (see the bonus section below)
Coming to your devices before Christmas - Google, Samsung, and Amazon have joined forces to enhance cybersecurity standards through the Cyber Trust initiative label, aiming to better protect users' data and privacy.
The AI Beat
At the latest I/O conference, Google unveiled Astra, its most advanced AI assistant yet. Astra will be super interactive, understanding commands, text, and images to help in daily life. But for the assistant to know us, Google must also…privacy anyone? 😯
So, we just got done telling you how smart AI is…….now press pause. Google's AI Overview, the “latest” in search, has proven it can't always differentiate between real and satirical content. It turns out the AI was pulling answers directly from The Onion, leading to suggestions like eating rocks and enhancing your pizza cheese with Elmer’s glue. 😂 Remember, as of this writing AI knows how the world looks but struggles with how the world works.
Scam Patrol
WARNING - We’ve seen this in the wild! A scam operation has defrauded 850,000 people in Western Europe, Australia, and the U.S., amassing $50 million. Fraudsters created fake e-commerce sites to trick users into buying non-existent goods, then harvested their credit card information for further fraud. This case highlights the need for vigilance when shopping online. Go directly to e-commerce sites. Don’t click links - don’t click ads.
Happy birthday to my deceased Grandma who would have been 102 last week! In a timely fashion, let’s check out the new booming business in China. Companies create and sell interactive avatars of deceased loved ones from photos and audio clips using deepfake technology. Would you talk to a dead person? 👻
Just when you thought you had everything patched, you went and bought a water heater... The author’s upgrade journey turned into a security nightmare, exposing the weak points of smart home tech. A must-read for anyone adding "smart" appliances to their home!
Free Zoom presentation
Join me live on Zoom for free on June 12th at 1 PM Pacific for a tech talk on navigating the digital landscape and staying safe from scams in the age of AI. This encore presentation will arm you with essential tips to protect yourself from the latest digital threats. Don't miss out on enhancing your digital safety!
Tips? We got ‘em!
Many of our clients still treasure a printed photo. But where's the best place to go these days? Wired has you covered. And, if you need a hand with those memories, give us a call!
The Bonus Round: Where the Curiosities Live
In a recent ad, Apple showcased its iPad Pro by crushing various objects used to create art, symbolizing the power and versatility of the device. However, this ad sparked controversy and backlash for its seemingly destructive message.
In response, Samsung launched a counter-ad for its Galaxy Tab S9, humorously titled "UnCrush," focusing on preserving and enhancing creativity rather than destroying it. We support the arts, and love Samsung's commitment to supporting artistic expression without compromise: