Author: Tech Wizard

Envisioning the next technology boom

A couple of days ago a tweet titled AR Will Spark the Next Big Tech Platform (article linked below) caught my eyes. I'm always interested in learning about whatever is next and I had no idea what *AR* (augmented reality) was. Or so I thought.


I'm more familiar with AR under a different name -- virtual reality (VR). Doesn't matter what slick, faddish names it's called (my designation for this augmented/virtual future == AVR) Read more

Electric Vehicles & Self-Driving Cars will change our world forever

Odds are likely that if you aren't shopping for a new vehicle now that you probably will be within the next three to five years. The choices used to be easier than they are now and recent headlines are complicating our buying decision by giving us more to desire. Make that crave, especially in the electric vehicles (EV) and self-driving arenas. I am already craving some of the current technology rolling out of car factories across the world and the future is so bright, I'm already wearing the shades.


Recent news releases by both Hyundai and Kia are likely to muddy the minds of those considering an EV. They're floating serious teasers Read more

Some apps on your iPhone are probably watching you

If you've ever looked at that camera facing you on your smartphones and wondered whether or not someone might be watching you ... well, if you're an iPhone owner it's likely that it's actually happened. I have pondered whether or not it happens on my android (Samsung) and I would suggest androids are not immune from inappropriate snooping either.


Apple has lowered the proverbial boom and told app developers to remove those features and get the updated versions Read more

Samsung Note8 and iPhone 8 Releases Coming Soon - Happy 10th Anniversary iPhone

Fans clamoring for a brand-new Samsung Galaxy Note which doesn’t explode, start a fire, or is banned from all flights and other forms of public transportation -- will soon be getting their wish. Recent leaks report the Note8 which will hit the market during the latter half of September and carry the largest base price tag along with it at just over $900.


Why so much? It’s a fair question that needs to be asked before shelling out the money. It’s nearly $200 higher than earlier releases of the Galaxy Note. But the iPhone is probably going to make you reach for $1,000 Read more

Explicit Instructions for Removing Personal Medical Records from the Google Search Engine

It was a little unnerving to scroll through technology news and find a headline with a *how to* for removing your private medical records from Google. No, no, no, nooooooo! How can that condition even exist in the first place? I immediately opened a Google search window and scoured for anything relating to my personal medical records and….


Found nothing. It doesn’t matter. The fact I had to check in the first place is extremely disturbing. Read more

Ransomware Costs Victim One Million Dollars

A story that’s going to get a lot of ink and airtime in one form of media or another is the news that a South Korea web host – Nayana – paid out one million dollars to a hacker … or a group of ‘em – who effectively shut down their entire operation.


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Windows 10 Update - Good, bad, and that ugly screen of death

Microsoft has been slowly rolling out their latest Windows 10 update with mixed results – good and bad. What’s bad about the latest release? Well, according to a Microsoft spokesperson, “This build was never intended to go out to Windows Insiders and may include issues that impact usability of your PC…”


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Social Media Activity May Prevent Acquisition of U.S. Visas for Foreigners

If you thought your social media activity was of no consequence, you might want to take time to reconsider a newer reality when considering traveling either out or back to the United States in the near future.

Providing the information is voluntary – but not doing so may cause a visa application to be rejected. * Photo credit: US Embassy Turkey

Foreigners will now be provided the *option* of listing all their online screen names, aliases, personas and email accounts for the past five years. Bold letters on the form read, “Providing the information is voluntary - but not doing so Read more

DNC Hunting for New CTO

The Democrats are looking for a chief technology officer. Yah, if you’re a highly-qualified IT type who is certified about 12 ways to sunset with different security credentials and have a firm grip on what’s loose and running wild on our supposedly friendly internet … you could be up to the task and should get in contact with the folks at the Democratic National Committee. No! This isn’t a steeeeeeking commercial. It’s news! Serious news! :::and an evil grin slowly creeps across my face:::


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Google's Chrome to Include Ad Blocker?

Google made me do a doubletake when I saw a headline saying they were going to incorporate an ad blocker in Chrome next year. Wha-wha-what???!!! They’re kidding! Right? One of the computer world’s premier browsers is going to incorporate its own ad blocker?



You betchya! And good on them! I’m hoping they go directly after the sites that permit pop-ups, pop-overs and pop-whatevers, but it probably won’t reach as far as I would like to see it go. I hate to go to a site that is loaded with bad script, auto-start videos (youtube.com and other video related sites excused), and when they start with the pop-over stuff – I’m looking for the nearest exit.

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