What Are AI PCs? A Brief Explanation

Before I start with the explanation below I'd like to say that I believe that AI (artificial intelligence) as we are defining it today is not what most people envision as true 'artificial intelligence.' I look at it more as an augmented intelligence, one that uses your own interactions and those of users like you to generate best case answers, images, videos ect. We've been using the same software, same search algorithms, same voice commands, same pretty much everything for several years now. We never called it AI before because of the marketing strategy. Today we are just now seeing the marketing hype behind those same tools that have been learning our habits for years (I won't get started on the privacy issues here).

AI PCs - Intel's New Marketing Term

To put this simply the term AI PC is an Intel derived marketing term that requires specific Intel hardware and standards to apply. This doesn't mean that other PCs or devices can't run AI or that they aren't AI ready or AI chip equipped. So don't be confused here! 

Intel has stated that for a PC to receive the coveted "AI" label, it needs four things: a neural processing unit (NPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the ability to handle Vector Neural Network Instructions (VNNI) and DP4a instructions (so that the GPU can handle video processing)  In other words what Intel is saying is that in order for them to call a new computer an AI PC it must be one with their latest CPU.

 

What is AI Ready and AI equipped

When it comes to slapping the AI ready label on things these are the few small things to know. AI apps and tools are currently used in two different ways. The difference between the two and how you are using them is really the difference in hardware requirements and what is needed. Basically any PC, smartphone, tablet or device can access and use cloud based AI.  On device generative tools require much better, more efficient hardware and that is were some of the confusion starts for most people.

One of the easiest ways to explain the hardware is to say the modern CPU as most people know it has become extremely outdated. New software changes take advantage of and use the GPU and a new NPU (secondary chip) to do the heavy work. These are both considered AI accelerators, deep learning processor, or neural processing units (NPUs). They have been specifically designed to accelerate artificial intelligence and machine learning applications and algorithms. (More on the differences here)

Tools like ChatGPT, Google image generator Gemini, or Microsoft CoPilot are all cloud based and do all their work in a cloud based system. This allows EVERY device to utilize AI because all the work is done by other, much more powerful systems, that then send the results to your PC or phone. This will soon change however as Intel has confirmed CoPilot and other applications will soon run locally on PCs and require better hardware to do so. 

PCs meeting those requirements are already shipping and other devices like the Apple iPhone, Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy phones are already using secondary more AI specific NPU chips for on-device AI.

In conclusion - don't be confused or fooled!
I'm writing this post I'm really hoping to take some confusion out of buying or upgrading your systems and hope that people aren't fooled into think they have to run out and search only for an AI PC to run their newly hyped apps. Yes newer hardware will eventually be required, and yes it only makes sense to adopt that hardware if you are already upgrading. No, that doesn't mean you will be left out if you don't!

Will AI Monetization Stifle Innovation?

Nearly a full month into 2024, and it's evident that this year is poised to be the "Year of AI," with virtually every aspect of our lives touched by AI in some form or another. However, as we witness the rapid development and subsequent market integration of AI, potential drawbacks are emerging. The two most significant hurdles seem to originate directly from tech giants.

AI Consolidation

Towards the end of 2023, major tech players such as Amazon, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google made significant moves to expand their AI portfolios, consolidating smaller companies under the umbrella of their massive enterprises. For instance, Amazon invested $4 billion in the startup Anthropic, while Google secured a $2 billion stake of its own. While these moves provide startups with the capital needed for growth, they often result in the acquiring companies exerting too much control over the projects, hindering their progress.

The desire to quickly monetize and grow a company, followed by potentially selling off the team's hard work, often leads to issues down the road. Companies like Amazon, Apple, and Google tend to absorb acquired ideas and software, which may either get shelved, completely reimagined, or fall by the wayside as companies explore other, potentially more cost-effective options.

While some acquisitions have led to great innovations, such as Apple incorporating features like Siri from the 30+ AI startups it acquired over the last decade, other instances, like Google shuttering numerous programs, showcase the potential pitfalls of consolidation.

AI as a Service and Pay-Walling

While consolidation poses challenges to development, the more significant concern lies in the tendency to place AI tools behind paywalls or offer them as subscription services. Companies naturally seek to monetize their AI tools swiftly and effectively. For instance, Microsoft already offers its AI tool Copilot as a subscription service, and Amazon reportedly plans to introduce a paid Alexa service, "Alexa Plus," featuring premium features.

Running these programs, developing infrastructure, and staying ahead in terms of development are costly endeavors for large companies. While pay-walling premium features is not a novel approach, consumers generally resist being forced to pay for tools they are already using. In the realm of new technology and the push for expanded integration and adoption, subscriptions may not be the most effective means to align consumers with corporate plans. If consumers push back against adoption, some otherwise promising companies might face setbacks.

Big Tech Control Playing Big Brother

One area I haven't really discussed is big tech and government level control. We are already seeing governments around the world  looking at regulations and attempts at controlling or slowing AI adoption. Historically speaking rapid progression of technology hasn't been the best thing. We've made some big mistakes over the years. Generally big tech has played big brother of sorts and held back quick rapid releases of new technology. Hint there are things they have now you still won't see for yrs because of costs Where this control and controlled slow releases may be warranted. The down side is if we attempt to slow adoption in one area we inevitably kill off competition and innovation in another!

If government regulation is overly strict it puts undue pressure on start-up companies and keeps them from the market. If they aren't strict enough then we see top tier companies effectively being the key-holders and keeping innovation out (or in). We end up putting in place too many barriers and true innovators suffer the consequences!

My Conclusion

From my background in the tech sector and the work I've done over the years I see the term AI as much more of a marketing term right now than anything else. People overlook that Siri, Alexa, Google Search ect are all essentially AI. For me personally I think the term as we currently use it Artificial Intelligence, really is a misnomer. I think Augmented Intelligence is far closer to what we currently have rather than the average person thinks of AI  (which is mostly a theatrical movie style computer driven intelligence).

I feel that if we see our current systems going to SaaS (subscriber or pay-to-use) we'll see consumer blow-back and companies will have to rethink their programs. I believe people are already starting to wake up to over utilization of the AI label and the market saturation of the term! My hope is companies keep an even keel on this and let the tech progress naturally. Hopefully smaller companies and individual developers are lost in the shuffle!

2024 IPOs Are Coming, Will We See a Boom or Bust

Just a few of the IPOs expected are; Reddit, Discord, Skims, Stripe, Shein, Panera, and Liquid Death (amongst about 50 more top names). IPOs over the last few years have had some mixed results and unfortunately some of these may see the same downturns.

First off, we are seeing a draw back from the tech sector. So many of these tech related companies might be a tough sell on Wall Street. Several major players have been selling off real estate and downsizing work forces. We have also seen many major startups failing all together.

Secondly, many of the companies expected to go public are already cash strapped and are only making the move because they need to capital. While this is normal, it also indicates that they may not be on a solid foundation. A major negative for Wall Street players looking for long term growth potential.

On the upside, most of these brands carry major 'sentimental' up-value. Meaning investors will grab a hold of them because they are who they are. The question we'll see answered, really quickly, is if that brand recognition will hold value and those IPOs pay off the way these companies hope!

 As an investor and Techie it will be interesting to watch what happens. Some of these tech companies directly impact my daily life as I'm a member of several of their sites. We are already seeing push-back  from Reddit developers seeking more money or a share of the value add their work has given the company. Once the money starts flowing we may see a major negative push! Fingers crossed for any early investors!

Google Play Now Lets You Play [Some] Mobile Games on Your PC

For those of you that love your mobile games but hate being tied to that small screen, Google has just launched a new offering that will allow you to explore and play mobile games on your PC or laptop.

Google Play Games Beta allows you to experience bigger, bolder versions of select mobile games on Google's gaming platform for PC.You can use your mouse and keyboard to gain agility and boost your performance and accomplish a few more feats in games than you might be able to just using you phone.

 As this is in beta only there is currently a short list of games that you can enjoy - you'll see many of your favorites like Angry Birds 2, Asphalt 9: Legends, Jackpot World - Slots Casino and Rise of Empires: Ice and Fire. While the list might be short, for now, it does offer plenty of options to test out. However, those that might want more option might want to checkout Bluestacks (see our previous post). This cool little app allows you to run almost any Android app and isn't limited t just games.

AI Regulations and Why Companies Welcome Them

As the adoption of AI, more directly generative AI, we see more companies calling on the government to step in and step up with regulations. For some this seems counterintuitive. Why would an AI company seek regulation in their own industry that would slow down adoption of their tools right? There are two schools of thought on this.

• Companies are truly concerned that their tools are being used for nefarious activities (scams, hacking cheating ect)
• Companies are concerned that the pace of the market means they will become irrelevant before they can make a market impact

As much as we'd like to think that tech companies are altruistic. Historically speaking, this hasn't been the case. So while some of their calls to action might be rooted in a desire to steer things down the 'right path' it is more likely that they are worried about their massive investment and potential returns.

The AI movement/generation is very quickly becoming what the DOT-COM era was. Startups are hitting amazing valuations and being gobbled up by the big boys in tech. Amazon recently spent 4b investing in AI Startup Anthropic. While Google, NVIDIA, Apple and others are not far behind. If AI continues to evolve at the pace it is now, many of those investment could be outdated and loose overall value well before they produce something that is marketable.

As a comparison Siri was first released in 2011, Alexa in 2014 and both are precursors to the large language models we see rapidly advancing today. It too more than a decade for their widespread adoption. Whereas ChatGPT broke into the market this past year and set off a firestorm and created a free for all in the market and development space. So while we are seeing companies actively petition for some government oversight, what we aren't seeing is those very same companies exhibiting a measure of self control!

 

Related Articles

https://epic.org/the-state-of-state-ai-laws-2023/

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02491-y

https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/11/the-ftc-is-setting-its-sights-on-generative-ai/

The AI Take Over Has Begun! A New HR Revolution

As someone that has always stayed updated on the newest technology and how it it utilized it isn't surprising me to see the rapid adoption of AI. How and where it is being adopted is though. AI for marketing, fundamental chats and communications, and remedial tasks. That I fully understand. AI as an augmentation to other certain task, again I see that.

AI doing screenings, employee assessments and virtual interviews. I'm not sure about. That seems to hands off for me. Basic CSR, yeah I get because most questions are repetitive. Hands on customer retention is entire different and I'm not sure with AI that happens!

I bring this up only because I just drop a resume and I was asked to opt in/out of it being reviewed by AI. Granted I've worked on that side of things and fully understand that has already been happening. It was still an oddity to see that.

So now my question would be:

• As an employee do you feel put off if you have to be prescreened or only screened by AI?
• Do you feel a company isn't going to take you personally into account with just machine learning judging you?
• Do you think that company is going to treat your resume or prescreening the same because of AI?

Many people think the application and interview process is tedious and intimidating already. AI and the none 'personal' interaction might help those of us that aren't the best at interviews. Many companies use outside hiring agencies or offsite HR. So you aren't being hired by them, but for them. So that cancels some of the in-person element out as well.

For me I'd hope there is some sort of balance. My own (or any) resume shouldn't be treated as an SEO page that only hits on the keywords that triggers the best AI response. It should been seen with merit and function.

Create and Post Instagram Reels From Your PC

If like me you aren't always happy having to create and post Instagram reels from your phone I have a new way (new for some that is) that will allow you to quickly and easily do it from your PC or laptop. Some of you may or may not have heard of BlueStacks. BlueStacks App Player is a simple tool that allows you to was run Android applications on computers running Microsoft Windows or macOS. 

 

 

With BlueStacks you download and run the app player, install the traditional version of the Instagram App from the Google Play Store and run things just like you would from your phone. You can drag and drop videos and pictures from your desktop. Even add your text, audio or stickers just like you would normally do on your phone. 

I'm working on a quick how to and tutorial from more info. For now though I recommend trying it out and posting any questions in the comments below!

Review: EZVIZ C6CN and C1C Home Security Cameras

In our uncertain times security may be more important than ever! More and more of us are turning to online ordering and deliveries while we are stuck at home. And with the kids being out of school it is important to keep track of the whole family both while we are away or while we are stuck in our home offices. This past few weeks we've had the chance to test out two offerings from EZVIZ. The fully featured EZVIZ C6CN and the smaller more basic (yet just as capable) EZVIZ C1C.

EZVIZ C6CN Features and Benefits

The EZVIZ C6CN boast industry leading video clarity and complete 360° panoramic coverage of the area around your camera. Auto Motion Tracking & Notifications and automatic Day to Night mode switching mean that you should never miss a beat. There is even an option for simple one-touch Panoramic Photo Navigation for taking a full 360° photo around the camera.

EZVIZ C6CN Specifications

• Video Resolution: 1080p with 8x digital zoom
• Field of View: 340° horizontal, 120° vertical
• Night Vision: 2 infrared LEDs
• Network Connectivity: 802.11bgn (2.4 Ghz only) and Ethernet
• Smart Home Connectivity: Google home hub, Amazon Alexa
• Audio: Full-duplex, two-way live audio
• Local Storage: MicroSD card up to 256GB (not included)
• Security: 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
• Mobile Devices Supported: Android 5.0 or higher, iOS 9.0 or higher
• Dimensions: 3.45" x 3.45" x 4.43"
• Weight 9.1 oz

EZVIZ C1C Features and Benefits

Looking for some basic functionality at a lower cost? The EZVIZ C1C is such a camera. It delivers most of the same features as its bigger brother but in a smaller more concealable package. For about $20 you'll get standard customizable motion detection, Full 1080p HD video, night vision and two-way audio. Mounting is made easy with a magnet built-in base so it can be easily mounted to almost any metallic surface, a metal plate is also included. The C1C offers many of the same features as the EZVIZ C6CN. The C1C will automatically switch to night vision mode when the lights dim. You also get the same Smart motion detection zones and notifications draw specific zones within your cameras field of view where you would like to detect activity, when activity is detected, you will receive a notification in real-time.

The C1C’s 130-degree wide-angle lens provides excellent video quality. The image is sharp with little distortion even in night vision mode. Colors are accurate and vibrant. I found myself fairly happy with the default image settings. However, should you need to you can lower or boost the color saturation using a couple of presets in the settings menu. There’s also a backlight mode that, when activated, lets you tap overexposed parts of the image to see more details.

EZVIZ C1C Specifications

• Video Resolution: Full HD 1080p with 40 ft. super night vision
• Field of View: 106° horizontal, 130° vertical
• Audio: Full-duplex, two-way live audio
• Local Storage: MicroSD card up to 256GB (not included)
• Security: 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
• Mobile Devices Supported: Android 5.0 or higher, iOS 9.0 or higher
• Dimensions: 2.4" x 2.28" x 4.04"
Weight: 3.4 oz

EZVIZ App Setup with the C6CN & C1C

Setup of the EZVIZ app is pretty straightforward. You simply unpack your camera, use your phone to scan the QR code and pair your two devices. From there things are pretty self explanatory. One great feature is the ability to see and control multiple cameras right on your device. For those wanting several zones of coverage you can use the advanced control setup with the EZVIZ PC studio (available for windows PC only). The app will unlock advanced configurations of your network and video settings as well as increasing the number of cameras able to view simultaneously from 4 to 25.

Conclusion: Two good entry level cameras!

In my testing the EZVIZ C1C proved that you didn't need to spend a mint to get a full featured camera that, for most home users, provides everything you need to effectively monitor your home while you’re away. While it was a very capable camera. For those of us that like to track ever little detail having the pan and tilt option included in the EZVIZ C6CN is going to be a must and is definitely worth the extra cost. Fortunately the EZVIZ app allows you to run multiple cameras from one device so I strongly suggest buying them as a tandem.

If I were looking for faults I could say I found a couple. Firstly I would have liked to have had an option to use either camera as a webcam, especially in these days of telecommuting. The C1C would have been ideal to place on my desk or a shelf in order to communicate with my team. For the C6CN I wasn't overly impressed with the video tracking. This could easily have been due to my use rather than a fault with the camera.

Both cameras offers a trio of storage options: You can record event-detected video locally to a microSD card, use EZVIZ's network storage or store your video offsite with an EZVIZ CloudPlay subscription. The cameras come with a free one-month trial of 7-day storage. EZVIZ CloudPlay starts at 7-day playback: $5.99/month/camera or $59.99/year/camera. 30-day playback: $10.99/month/camera or $109.99/year/camera.

Review: XY Findit XY4+ Bigger and Better

Readers of our blog know that we have tried out most of the more popular Bluetooth trackers on the market today. While most of those devices were labeled as acceptable in performance, only one device (the XY3) actually performed up to our expectations. This past week we got to test out XY Findit's upgraded version of their Bluetooth Tracker the XY4+.

While we were impressed with the XY3 we felt there were a few areas that could be upgraded for better performance and from what we have seen from the XY4+ XY Findit addressed all those and more!

Upgrades Were They Are Needed Most

One of our biggest complaints about the other trackers we've used was device volume. When trying to locate your belongings in any space, let alone a noisy room, being able to hear your tracker is a must. With the XY4+ XY Findit was able to boost their volume to a whopping 112db. That is 4x what the XY3 had, and we thought that was better than most of the competition.Another great addition is the ability to change your buzzer tones. In some cases I couldn't hear certain audible tones as well as others, and having that function really made a notable  difference!

Another great upgrade is effective range. According to XY Findit the effective range on the XY3 was about 210 ft with a suggested maximum of 150ft. With the XY4+ XY Findit was able to boost that range 300ft. Wider effective range means a much greater chance of recovering your devices!

Lastly, but certainly not least, is an improved battery life. According to XY they have added a much more powerful replaceable battery to XY4+ in order to increase its battery life. Combined with the extremely efficient Dialog 14585 Bluetooth chip, the XY4+ can reach up to 5 years of battery life for your finder.

The Trade-off, Size Does Matter

All these upgrade come with one rather minor trade-off, an increase in tracker size! The XY4 measures roughly 1.5" x 1.75" x 0.39" slightly larger than the XY3 that measured just 1.46" x 1.26"x .32". This might not sound like much of an increase to most, and most won't notice it, but if like me you like to keep things at a min it will be noticeable!

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

While we didn't have enough time to do as thorough of testing with our XY4 as we did with the XY3 we stand by our original conclusion that XY Findit is producing some of the best Bluetooth trackers on the market. Effective range and tracking are extremely impressive and highly accurate! As mentioned the improvements to the audible alerts are amazing and definitely impressed us. Overall for anyone in the market for a new BT tracker I'd highly recommend looking at the XY4 before anything else on the market..and if you need more effective tracking XY Findit has the XYGPS, which we hope to test at some point soon!

Cyclist Can Ride Smart with SmartHalo

Are you looking for a way to step up your urban cycling experience? The urban mobility technology innovator, SmartHalo Technologies Inc., may have just launched the perfect product for you - the SmartHalo biking system.

SmartHalo, is a smart device that attaches to any type of bike handlebar and pairs with your phone via Bluetooth with the SmartHalo app. The device gives you Precise and intuitive navigation designed to take the safest and fastest routes, while allowing you to keep the eyes on the road.

The interface also features a powerful front light that makes night rides and journeys safer and more enjoyable. An alarm designed to trigger a loud sound when the bike is tampered with, to prevent bike theft. A series of enhanced fitness features that automatically track and analyze fitness metrics and a personal assistant notifies you of incoming calls with a simple blue dot at the center of the interface.

SmartHalo took the cycling world by storm with its Kickstarter and pre-sale campaign with 10,000 units sold and delivered. It is now available for $149 in the US and Canada online at smarthalo.bike. If you want more details look for our review in the coming week and happy cycling!

Samsung Invites You to Try to Hack Their Devices

In the world of technology security is king! So much so that most of the major tech giants have already launched security programs aimed at rewarding would be hackers if they share their exploits with the company before they become a major issue. Today Samsung has become the latest player in the game with the launch of their very own rewards program.

In an attempt at making sure sure that its smartphones, such as the Galaxy S8, S8 Plus and the Galaxy Note 8, are safe to use by the public, Samsung has officially the Samsung Mobile Security Rewards Program. The program invites members of the security community to assess the integrity of Samsung’s mobile devices and associated software to identify potential vulnerabilities in those products.

“As a leading provider of mobile devices and experiences, Samsung recognizes the importance of protecting users’ data and information, and prioritizes security in the development of each of its products and services,” said Injong Rhee Executive Vice President and Head of R&D, Software and Services of the Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “As part of our commitment to security, Samsung is proud to work in close partnership with the security research community to ensure that all of our products are monitored closely and continually for any potential vulnerabilities.”

The program will cover all of Samsung’s mobile devices currently receiving monthly and quarterly security updates, currently a total of 38 devices. In addition, the program will reward submissions for potential vulnerabilities in the latest Samsung Mobile Services, including Bixby, Samsung Account, Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass, among others. Dependent upon the severity of a given submission, as well as the researcher’s ability to provide proof of concept, Samsung will issue rewards of up to $200,000.

The Mobile Security Rewards Program is effective immediately. For additional information, including terms and conditions visit the Samsung Mobile Security page.

Victims of Free Cruise Telemarketing Calls Could Get Up To $900 In Settlement

Who hasn't fallen prey to those all too familiar phone calls offering you a "free cruise"? You know the ones I mean. The persistent auto-dials that tell you that you have won, or are entitled to a free trip to the Bahamas or some other tropical destination.

Well thanks to a class action lawsuit and recent settlement, you may be entitled to some cold hard cash! Anywhere from $300-900 in fact!

The lawsuit claims that the recorded calls made between 2009 and 2014 violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. A marketing company titles RMG made pre-recorded telemarketing calls to landlines and cell phones offering free cruises with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian as promotions and that these calls are said to have violated the TCPA.

A settlement was reached last month to payout up to $12.5 million to people who received the calls.

You are included in the Settlement as a Settlement Class Member if you were the owner, subscriber, or user of a residential or cellular telephone line that received pre-recorded telemarketing calls between July of 2009 and March of 2014 that were initiated by RMG during which you were offered a free cruise with Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise lines and your phone number is contained in the call records produced by RMG in this case. The Call Records contain all phone numbers that RMG used to initiate pre-recorded telemarketing calls to promote its business. Any person submitting a claim with a telephone number not found in the records of RMG is ineligible for distribution from the settlement fund.

Finding out if you are part of the claim is really, really easy! Just click here and follow the prompt to enter your phone number and submit a claim. The site will automatically scan the logs for whatever number you have entered and will let you know if you are part of the claim. Every phone number you have could be eligible, so try them all and submit claims for any you find!

Each RMG telemarketing call you received will have a maximum value of $300. You may file a claim for up to three calls per telephone number included in the Call Records. This means that your maximum payment amount could be $900 per telephone number. Although payment amounts could be $300-$900, actual payment amounts will be based on the total number of calls and valid Claim Forms received. For example:

• If, after deducting attorneys’ fees and expenses, the incentive award, and settlement administration costs, the amount needed to pay all valid claims is less than the balance of the Settlement Fund, then each Settlement Class Member who submits a valid Claim Form will receive $300 per call for up to three calls, and the remaining funds will be donated cy pres to the National Consumer Law Center (www.nclc.org) or other approved recipient.
• If, after deducting attorneys’ fees and expenses, the incentive award, and settlement administration costs, the amount needed to pay all valid claims is greater than the Settlement Fund Ceiling, then each Settlement Class Member who submits a valid Claim Form will receive a proportionately reduced payment amount, meaning each Settlement Class Member will receive the same reduced payment amount per call for up to three calls.

To receive a cash payment, you must submit a Claim Form by November 3, 2017. The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on April 4, 2018 to decide whether to grant final approval to the Settlement. If the Court approves the Settlement, there may be appeals. It is always uncertain whether appeals will be filed and, if so, how long it will take to resolve them. Settlement payments will be provided as soon as possible, if and when the Court grants final approval to the Settlement and after any appeals are resolved.

Internet Connected Toys May Be The Newest Threat to Your Children

According to a public service announcement released by the FBI this week your child's internet connected toys may be a major threat to not only their privacy but their safety!

In the PSA the FBI warns that "toys with microphones could record and collect conversations within earshot of the device. Information such as the child's name, school, likes and dislikes, and activities may be disclosed through normal conversation with the toy or in the surrounding environment." In addition to personal information that may be obtained the FBI warns that more specific details, such as GPS locations, visual identifiers and information used by other family member when creating user accounts could readily be obtained!

The collection of a child’s personal information combined with a toy’s ability to connect to the Internet or other devices raises concerns for privacy and physical safety. Personal information (e.g., name, date of birth, pictures, address) is typically provided when creating user accounts. In addition, companies collect large amounts of additional data, such as voice messages, conversation recordings, past and real-time physical locations, Internet use history, and Internet addresses/IPs. The exposure of such information could create opportunities for child identity fraud. Additionally, the potential misuse of sensitive data such as GPS location information, visual identifiers from pictures or videos, and known interests to garner trust from a child could present exploitation risks. 

As with all internet connected devices, (including your smart phone, smart TV, home assistant ect) data collected from interactions with your devices is typically collected, sent and stored by the manufacturer or developer via server or cloud service. In some cases, it is also collected by third-party companies who manage the voice recognition software used in the toys or connected devices. Voice recordings, toy Web application (parent app) passwords, home addresses, Wi-Fi information, or sensitive personal data could be exposed if the security of the data is not sufficiently protected with the proper use of digital certificates and encryption when it is being transmitted or stored.

Smart toys generally connect to the Internet either:

• Directly, through Wi-Fi to an Internet-connected wireless access point; or
• Indirectly, via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS device that is connected to the Internet.

The FBI warns that cyber security measures used in the toy, the toy’s partner applications, and the Wi-Fi network on which the toy connects directly impacts the overall user security. Communications connections where data is encrypted between the toy, Wi-Fi access points, and Internet servers that store data or interact with the toy are crucial to mitigate the risk of hackers exploiting the toy or possibly eavesdropping on conversations/audio messages. Bluetooth-connected toys that do not have authentication requirements (such as PINs or passwords) when pairing with the mobile devices could pose a risk for unauthorized access to the toy and allow communications with a child user. It could also be possible for unauthorized users to remotely gain access to the toy if the security measures used for these connections are insufficient or the device is compromised.

Parents are being urged to examine user agreements and privacy policies (we know too well that some of us click through blindly and agree to those terms) and investigate whether data is shared with third parties and how it's handled in the cloud. Toys should also only be connected to the internet over secure Wi-Fi networks and not connected blindly to open networks, or in some cases trusted networks with highly clone-able names (ie Xfinitywifi).  Additionally, the FBI suggests that you report cases whereas you migght suspect your child’s toy may have been compromised by filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, at www.IC3.gov.

Review: Paby Smart Pet Locator and Activity Tracker

Whether it be from the fright of 4th of July fireworks, a door or gate accidentally left open, or just a stubborn pooch that doesn't like to come when called, for animal lovers there is nothing worse than losing your furry little friend! Given today's technology tracking down your pet is easier than ever, and today we have a newly launched option that will do just that and more.

The Paby GPS tacker is a real-time smart tracker that monitors a pet’s location and activity utilizing a combination of advanced 3G GPS (cellular), LBS (Location Based Services) and Wi-Fi technologies. Which unlike many of the trackers we've reviewed before, and many on the market, means you can track your dog or cat (or child) just about anywhere at anytime!

Paby is a small durable and waterproof device that offers not only a smart tracker, but RGB LED flashing light for added pet safety and a high fidelity waterproof speaker that plays a sound to alert the user (via the mobile app) when their pet is nearby.

The GPS tracker incorporates the latest battery technology with a gel state polymer lithium ion battery and is built to last with PC ABS, laser direct structuring, UV coating and in-mold decoration.

Getting started with Paby the things you need to know!

Paby requires a cellular network connection to properly track your pet. It isn't required and you will have some functionality by using Wi-Fi, however I strongly suggest adding on a mobile data plan. Without it, if your pet wanders out of a Wi-Fi area, you'll be out of luck.

For this you have two options - Option 1: Paby comes with a free SIM card and offers network subscription plans starting at $4.99 per month at http://www.paby.com/plan/ (those purchasing an annual network service plan through Paby will receive 30 days of free service). Option 2: customers with AT&T and T-Mobile have the option to use their existing wireless network.

Setting Up Your Paby

All your tracking and features will be controlled through Paby's free App (iOS and Android). The App itself is fairly intuitive and pretty straight forward. Before you get started I'd suggest reviewing the FAQ and doing a quick once over with the App just to familiarize yourself with the features. From my experience the icons aren't very descriptive and the manual is limited on explanations as to what they do.

Once you have the App installed, make sure you charge your device to full capacity. From there pairing is fairly straight fwd. Once the device is paired the App will allow you to view custom reports and alerts, designate virtual fences to sound alerts and set sound or LED alerts. All tracking and locations are shown via Google Maps, with a detailed view of location history charting where your pet has been on a given day.

For those that want to keep their pets healthy and active Paby offers additional features such as a health monitoring system which tracks steps, sleep and intensity of work out/play time and daily exercise recommendations based on your pet’s breed, weight and age.

Testing and Conclusion

We tested out Paby tracker out over the course of a couple weeks and were pleasantly surprised at how well it performed. Tracking was very precise and the activity tracker worked well. During most of our testing battery life was a little on the weak side, but that may be attributed to us putting it through more rigorous testing and using more features than normal. Overall we saw plenty of power for two to three days of variable testing, plenty for most tracking situations.

As mentioned we did have a few issues with working out what each of the icons on the menu screen does, but once we worked that out things went smoothly. I had a few problems with getting alerts to work properly, and would have liked to have seen a dedicated alerts button for one time alerts rather than having to turn them on and leave them on through the tacking function. Ideally, with one time alerts, I could train my dog to check-in with me (hunting dog style).  he LED's function great and offer a nice touch for walking your dog or keeping an eye on them in the yard at night.

At $79.99 the Paby comes in pretty much in range with other options out there, but it is one of the few we saw with magnetic charging, IP67 water-resistant rating, LED lighting and a decent design set. It comes available in a variety of colors and patterns seen above (“Spider Red,” “Future Green,” “Allstar,” “Midnight Black” and “Bubble Pink”)  and is available now at www.paby.com. All in all I can definitely give it a nod as being worth the price when it comes to piece of mind for you pet owners!

Amazon Prime Adds Prime Wardrobe With Free "Try Before You Buy” Option

Amazon is expanding their Prime offerings yet again. This time with a new option dubbed Prime Wardrobe a service that will allow you to checkout fashion choices from Amazon fashion. The finest point, and likely the best selling, is that the service will come with a “try before you buy” option allowing you have items shipped to you to try on before you are billed!

Amazon says the service will offer plenty of choices with over 1 million items on Amazon Fashion including popular brands like Levi’s, Adidas, Hugo Boss, and Calvin Klein. With“try before you buy” the company ships your selected items for you to try on, and then you send whatever you don’t want right back to Amazon, for free. You only pay for the items you keep, and Amazon will sweeten the deal by offering discounts based on the number of pieces you choose to hang on to, with up to 20% off.

Prime Wardrobe is still in a testing phase, so isn't yet available to the public. Customers can get more information on the service and ask to receive an email when it launches here.

Apple's WWDC Scheduled for June 5, 2017

Apple has officially announced that its WWDC 2017 will take place between June 5th and 9th at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. The 2017 Keynote will be taking place on June 5th at 10:00 am Pacific Time with expected announcements related to the new iOS 11 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and macOS 11 for the Mac. Rumors also suggest we may hear about new hardware ranging from the new iPhone 8 to iPad Pros and maybe even a Siri home device.

Don't hold your breathe on getting tickets however, because as usual they are already gone!  Tickets, which were priced at $1,599, were distributed by random selection at the end of March, and free tickets provided to scholarship winners were handed out in April. 

The official WWDC invite to developers said "Technology alone is not enough. Technology must intersect with the liberal arts and the humanities, to create new ideas and experiences that push society forward. This summer we bring together thousands of brilliant minds representing many diverse perspectives, passions, and talents to help us change the world."

Apple typically uses their invites to tease some of the undertones of the event. In this case we could be seeing a major push towards a more interactive technology with more VR or augmented reality. Or we could see something completely out of the norm. It really is hard to say!

Apple expects to host about 5,000 developers, with hundreds of Apple engineers available to answer questions and host app development sessions. Developers who cannot attend will be able to watch the sessions through the WWDC 2017 website, and the WWDC app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. 
 

Amazon Free Shipping Threshold Lowered Back to $25

If like me, you hate to pay for shipping on anything you buy, then Amazon has just made your day. The company has, very quietly, dropped their threshold for "Free Super Saver Shipping" back to the original $25 it was back in the good old days. Prime One-Day Delivery will still be eligible on orders over $35.

Even though Amazon has reached record profits over the years, competition for your buying dollar has reached new heights. Numerous other online retailers offering $35 free shipping thresholds, including Target, Jet.com and Walmart, which recently introduced free two-day shipping on orders over $35.

The new minimum shows Amazon competing for shoppers who don’t pay $99-a-year for Amazon Prime, which includes free two-day shipping on millions of items as well as access to music and video. These customers are the Seattle-based company’s most loyal shoppers. Amazon will make non-Prime shoppers wait 5 to 8 business days for free shipping on more than 50 million items.

All this geek can say is kudos to those companies out there that keep the competition going! Lower prices are almost always a plus for us consumers.

Comcast Launches Xfinity Mobile Wireless With $65 Unlimited Plans (Sorta)

"America's Most Hated Company" may have just given customers another reason to hate it by launching of Xfinity Mobile, the company's first attempt at breaking in to the wireless market. With the new service Comcast will offer its customers TV, home internet, home phone and wireless service under one umbrella. Yes that means you will likely get more calls and marketing pushing an upgrade to the bundled. the service.

The service will be back-boned by a combination of Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots and Verizon's existing  network.Giving customers cellular coverage through Verizon at times when they can not connect to one of Comcast’s millions of Wi-Fi hotspots. The phones will automatically connect to those locations, similar to how Google’s Project Fi works.

Comcast is promising no line access fees, with unlimited talk and text on up to five lines. All you will pay for is data usage. Combined with its internet service, it will have "unlimited" mobile data access available for $65 per month, per line, while its "best" bundle package brings the price for unlimited access down to $45 per month. As with most of these "unlimited" plans, unlimited truly doesn't mean unlimited. Customers using more than 20GB a month will end up being throttled, severely in this case based on what Ars Technica is reporting.

If you'd prefer to pay only for the data you use,  Xfinity Mobile will offer a $12 per GB plan, which customers can switch to and away from within the app, even in the middle of a month. Families can mix-and-match on an account so that each person can choose the way to pay for data that makes sense for them.  This means that at any time users find that they’ve used more data on a “By the
Gig” option one month, they can switch to “Unlimited” for that month, then switch back the next month with no penalties. Additionally with Xfinity Mobile, Comcast is offering 24/7 customer support via text message and a dedicated Xfinity Mobile call center support team. Hope it is better than their existing service!

As far as devices are concerned the company has already confirmed Xfinity Mobile will sell the the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for the service. They aren't being as transparent about what Android-based products will be offered, but it confirmed that it will “feature the best devices from Samsung and LG”. Hopefully, that means customers can get the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus and the LG G6 via Xfinity Mobile.

For more details on the new service checkout the full Comcast announcement and Xfinity Mobile fact sheet or the Xfinity Mobile corporate websitee where you can also pre-register for more information.

Review: GateKeeper Wireless USB Smart Key and Intelligent Computer Lock

When it comes to security one of the most overlooked areas I typically see is one of the most basic fundamentals, utilizing your built in lock-screen to keep prying eyes out of your device. This seems to be true whether we are talking smartphones, tablets or PCs. For most of us I think it is a matter of inconvenience, or for me the forgetfulness of simply not remembering to lock my screen (my timeout time is a bit long as well).

Luckily for me the folks over at GateKeeper have come up with a new option that I've been fortunate enough to test out for you guys! GateKeeper has developed a wireless intelligent key that automatically logs you in and out based on your proximity to your computer or workstation. No longer do you have worry about timeouts or remembering to lock your computer. You simply carry your wireless Keyfob around (on your badge, in your pocket whatever) and walk away. Once you are no longer within your pre-defined range GateKeeper will automatically lock your PC for you.

The GateKeeper Key and USB Lock communicate using Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology to authenticate you when you are in proximity to computer. It has an effective range of 30 feet and can be controlled to limit the range from anywhere between 3 and 30 feet. The GateKeeper key is 50mm x 25mm x 6mm; 10gm or roughly the size of a Tile Bluetooth Tracker (as seen below) while the USB dongle is a standard micro size used by other wireless devices.

GateKeeper next to the Tile, XY3 and TrackR Bravo

Your credentials are encrypted with military-grade AES256 encryption and stored on the computer. No private information is stored on the Keyfob and credentials are never transmitted over the air – so nothing private can be sniffed or obtained from taking a Keyfob. Once the GateKeeper software and USB transmitter are installed the computer will automatically lock if they are removed.Giving you just one more level of security.

Setup within the software is pretty straightforward. You have options for setting up you lock or login to your computer, range of proximity, a signal strength indicator and a few options for notifications. Personally I prefer and recommend using the touch to login option as this allows you to keep your device locked when you are nearby and aren't ready to use it. Otherwise once you are back on range your computer automatically unlocks (as it should).

Aside from the software for your PC is software for your phone that allows you to use your phone as a tracker and locator for your Gk Keyfob. The software (Android) or our phone did not want to pair with our device so we didn't get to fully test it. The app will connect to the GK Keyfob and a meter will indicate how far it is from the smartphone. As you walk around, the app will indicate whether you have moved closer or further away from the GK Keyfob. Using the "LOCATE" feature will also cause the GK Keyfob to buzz making it easier for you to find your lost valuables.

A Geek's Opinion About The GateKeeper

I am notorious for leaving myself logged on while I'm doing other things around the office or while I'm out working in the field. Luckily, the worst thing that I've had done to me was a little Facebook prankery. Having said that, within the first day of using it I learned that this little device is a must have for me, in fact I think they should be must have's for most (out of)office environments! It literally is a set and forget device, and unlike my timeout for my Windows lock screen I don't have to worry about someone jumping on my laptop before the timeout takes affect.

A second major plus is the addition of a remote lock button that allows me to lock my computer instantly from across the room. This can come in handy if you are browsing some more sensitive material or have something on the screen that might need to be quickly hidden away even though you are in close proximity.

In terms of effective range and connectivity we had no issues at all. We tested it at the shortest (3ft), and furthest (30ft) ranges and never once had false locks or issues with our GateKeeper not locking. Personally I'd set it for somewhere in the mid-range as I did have it lock my screen a few times when I thought I was still in range. As mentioned I also prefer using the touch to login option as there was no option to keep my laptop locked when I was in range and this was the only way to do so.

 I wish I could have tested the phone app out, but that might be an issue with my phone rather than the app for the GK. If I do it to work I'll be sure to post and update.

The complete GateKeeper System starts at $60 on Amazon, or you can get a 2 pack for $90 directly from GK. If you try them out let us know what you think!

YouTube TV Is The Company's New $35 Per Month Pay-to-View Service

[Update: YouTube TV is Now Live! and is currently available in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, and Philadelphia] 

When YouTube reached the major milestone this week of surpassing a billion hours of daily content being watched it did so on the backbone of the company's all to familiar free video service. In order to reach the next major milestone however, the company is taking a totally different approach. One that takes aim at cable companies and other streaming giants alike!

At an event in Los Angeles the company debuted YouTube TV, a streaming service that combines live content from broadcast and cable television networks with content from several of your favorite YouTube creators.

Here’s what YouTube TV offers:

• Live TV streaming from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, regional sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks. YouTube TV gives you the best of live TV, from must-see broadcast shows like “Empire,” “The Voice,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Scandal,” to the live sports you want. YouTube TV includes major sports networks like ESPN and regional sports networks like Fox Sports Networks and Comcast SportsNet, so you can watch your favorite NBA or MLB teams. We’ve also partnered with local TV stations, so you’ll also get sports and local news based on where you live. And YouTube TV offers dozens of additional cable channels, so you won’t miss out on the latest news from MSNBC or Fox News, popular shows and movies from USA or FX, kids programming from the Disney Channel or Sprout, or reality TV from E! or Bravo. You can also add Showtime, or Fox Soccer Plus to your networks for an additional charge. In total, YouTube TV gives you access to more than 40 networks, listed below.
• A cloud DVR, with no storage limits. With YouTube TV, you’ll be able to record live TV and never run out of storage. Your cloud DVR can record as many shows as you want, simultaneously, without using precious data or space on your phone and we’ll store each of your recordings for nine months.
• A service that works great on all your screens. You can watch YouTube TV on any screen—mobile, tablet or computer—and you can easily stream to your TV with a Google Chromecast or Chromecast built-in TV. YouTube TV works on both Android and iOS. And your cloud DVR goes with you, so you can stream your recordings on any device, whenever and wherever you want.
• YouTube Red Originals. With a YouTube TV membership, you can watch all of our YouTube Red Original series and movies right on the new YouTube TV app.
• Six accounts, one price. Every YouTube TV membership comes with six accounts, each with its own unique recommendations and personal DVR with no storage limits. You can watch up to three concurrent streams at a time.
• Half the cost of cable with zero commitments. A YouTube TV membership is only $35 a month and there are no commitments—you can cancel anytime.

YouTube TV will be available soon in the largest U.S. markets and will quickly expand to cover more cities across the country. At launch it will have over 40 networks available for streaming and will allow you to connect up to six separate accounts to share with friends and family. Visit tv.youtube.com and sign up to find out more about the service and when it will launch in your market.