The Digital Life - The Phishing Quiz, 2019 outlook, 1984 computing, and more
Oh boy, February is here! The Groundhog is out, love is in the air! OK, so it's still cold in most of the country, but at least we can keep you entertained with some crazy good reads.
After curating and filtering all month, we've come down to these 11 articles. You'll learn about security issues from Apple, another data breach, AI news, and more! While you're at it, don't miss our slides on our 2019 technology outlook. We'd be happy to fill you in on any thoughts behind the slides - just drop us a line.
Lastly, how much did a computer cost and weigh in 1984? You'll soon find out.....
This issue brought to you by VORTEX - freezing tongues to poles since aluminum was invented! (Stay warm!❄❄)
Our 2019 Op-Ed in slides
2019 Technology Outlook - Lökwest — ow.ly
The 2019 technology outlook. We've done a lot of reading this year, and compiled our thoughts on technology in 2019. We've got the bullets you need to know! Download this slide overview of the presentation we gave in January (and look for details on our next presentation below!)
Stand by.....for news!
(thanks Paul Harvey 😉)
[ALERT] Apple disables Group FaceTime following major security flaw — ow.ly
Last week, Apple disabled Group FaceTime until they can stop the listening in on people bug. As of the publishing of this e-mail, a fix is on the way any day. Look for an iOS update soon!
They can hear you now.
22 mn passwords, over 772 mn email addresses leaked in 2019's first major data breach, Collection #1 — ow.ly
Another data breach! 772 million e-mails, 87 Gb worth of information dating back to prior leaks from 2008. It goes without saying, if you've have an e-mail address, pick a FRESH, LONG, UNIQUE password now! Most of this data set is old, but then again some of us use old passwords. Don't let that person be you!
Do the math: 7.5 billion people on earth - 772 million passwords! 😮
Verizon offers free robocall blocking, two years after AT&T and T-Mobile — ow.ly
Robocall haters hip hip hooray! Verizon finally joins the mix and adds free robocall blocking to their service. This has been available on other networks for sometime, so it's nice for Big Red to join the party.
Yes, James Bond, the new blocking technology REALLY IS called STIR/Shaken.
Everything coming to Netflix in February — ow.ly
We couldn't let you go a month without a streaming update, so here's what the 'Flix has on queue for February!
A cheap Valentine's streaming date? Of course, because you're using someone else's password!!
We bet you won't get them all...
The phishing test you have to take. Believe it or not, we missed one and we're the "experts". Hey, it was late at night - but that's when the 1/2 paying attention clicks happen! 😮
Maybe you'll do better in this quiz on how tone deaf you are, from Harvard!
When you just gotta choose...
Why Choosing Between Windows and macOS Still Matters — ow.ly
Want an up to date summary on Windows vs. Mac? Thanks to Gizmodo, you've got it! I cover most of these points for a fee with clients looking to upgrade. Now you can have your own "cheat sheet" for free!
This one's a must bookmark.
A few bits of Apple
Apple reportedly plans 3-lens and laser 3D cameras for 2019-2020 iPhones — ow.ly
Major camera changes are coming to future iPhones, including wider zoom range and AR features, but the biggest changes will likely hit in 2020.
Just sayin' - carrying a "camera" is dead.
Apple is in talks with private Medicare plans about bringing its watch to at-risk seniors — ow.ly
Dr. Apple on call? Our bet is Apple is doubling down in the one stop shop for private healthcare data area. Partnering with Medicare on fall detection and other risks is a great starting spot!
As long as we can still play Candy Drop!
AI and future tech to amaze
Microsoft CTO: Understanding AI is part of being an informed citizen in the 21st century — ow.ly
Take it from this Microsoft's CTO, you better just get used to AI. So what does he think about it? For one, everyone needs to be educated about it to be 21st century citizens. Second, AI will benefit rural areas more than you know!
I have a feeling that E, O and U (and sometimes Y) are feeling left out...😢
What Are the Different Self-Driving Car “Levels” of Autonomy? — ow.ly
Level what? You hear it all the time in self driving car talk. Level 5 autonomy - when will it arrive, etc.....but have you ever read what the NHTSA considers the 5 levels of self-driving autonomy? Here's a quick guide from How-To Geek!
5G Turns Your Car Into a Talking, Thinking Super-Computer | Digital Trends — ow.ly
5G is coming. But how will it affect your driving experience? Think vehicles talking to each other, vehicles talking to the road, high speed computing, and more. 20 Gbps data speeds in your car may seem like a lot, but driver-less cars could generate 1 Gb of data per second in sensor data alone!
We remember when it was a spark plug and a wrench....and that's not that long ago.
Looking back in tech history
February 16, 1984 - IBM introduces the IBM Portable Personal Computer, an early portable computer. It featured a 4.77MHz Intel 8088 processor, 256 KB RAM, a 9 inch amber monitor, a 5.25″ floppy drive, and the DOS 2.1 operating system.
Comparison: The Qualcomm 845 smartphone chip runs at 2.8Ghz (500x the speed) and supports 1866MHz memory speeds. Oh, and your phone probably has at least 16GB of RAM (~16 million KB). Not to mention you don't roll with an amber screen (unless you're waaay retro 🙂)
Question 1: How much did it weigh?
Question 2: How much did it cost?
(scroll to the bottom to find out!)
Explore Technology February 19th!
This month's Exploring Technology takes us back to the clouds. We're reviewing cloud storage and computing, a subject that still seems to confuse. What is the "cloud"? How many clouds do you have? What are the risks and benefits of using the cloud for data storage and applications?
Come and find out at the next Exploring Technology talk, held in conjunction with San Clemente Village.
The skinny: San Clemente Community Center, 100 N Calle Seville, San Clemente - Multi-Puropose Room. Tuesday, February 19th, 1:30 PM.
Non-Village members, please RSVP to this e-mail if you're planning on attending.
Want a calendar magnet?
We know you do, and the price is right - free! Sick of the polar vortex? Warm up with 12 months of toasty beach by responding to this e-mail. We'll get you one right away!
Answers from above:
1) The IBM Portable PC weighed in at 30 pounds (that's about 10-15 modern laptops)
2) It's yours, out the door, for $2,795 in 1984 dollars. That's $6,931 in today's dollars! (6 top of the line 2018 iPhones)