A new form of cyber crime is rearing its ugly head on the internet. It's called DDoS extortion or DDoS ransom. Like the very popular ransom-ware attacks that demand money in order to regain control of compromised systems, DDoS ransom attackers demand money, usually in the form of untraceable Bitcoins, to halt or prevent a DDoS attack on a web site. For many businesses, web sites have become the main platform for sales, but a DDoS attack on a site could knock it out for quite some time, forcing the owners to forgo any business that could have been done in the meantime. Below AT&T has … [Read more...]
What Happens When Microsoft Buys a New AI Startup?
Microsoft has announced the acquisition of the deep learning/artificial intelligence startup, Maluuba. The AI program's focus is on natural language understanding, and Microsoft expects the technology to help improve question and answer and decision making systems. Harry Shum, Executive Vice President of Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence and Research Group wrote about the acquisition saying: We’ve recently set new milestones for speech and image recognition using deep learning techniques, and with this acquisition we are, as Wayne Gretzky would say, skating to where the puck will be next — … [Read more...]
These are the 5 Best “Intelligent” Cities in the World
An astonishing global revolution is underway that will dramatically change the way the world economy functions. A surprising list of pioneering cities are at the forefront of a ground breaking movement. Read here from hpematter.com about the big five IoT breakthrough cities of the future. The smart cities of the future are being designed and built now—with dozens of urban centers around the world leveraging technology to rebuild themselves for the future. Smart cities promise more efficient, safer, more livable urban areas despite the demands placed on them by increasing congestion and … [Read more...]
This is a Horrifying Black Swan Risk
Artificial Intelligence offers profound promise for future productivity and optimal decision making. AI is likely to touch or have an impact in almost every industry. But there are also some with deep knowledge in the technology industry who fear a frightening outcome. The Financial Times has the story. A new arms race in artificial intelligence and robotics risks spiralling out of human control, according to a report paving the way for next week’s World Economic Forum in Davos. The WEF’s annual Global Risks report highlights mounting concern at the few regulatory constraints on AI … [Read more...]
This is What Happens When Samsung Teams Up With Google
Want a peak at "the future of laptops?" Wired brings readers the breaking news. Now that Chrome OS users can get the millions of apps in Google’s Play Store, tech firms are developing entirely new kinds of devices for the platform. After months of speculation, rumors, and delays—which may have had something to do with the Note 7 battery scandal—Samsung announced the new Chrome book Plus and Chromebook Pro today at CES. Chromebooks have made huge inroads in schools and are increasingly popular enterprise devices. Acer’s new Chromebook 11 N7 is basically indestructible. But Samsung offers … [Read more...]
What’s the Spectacular New Frontier for IoT Innovation?
The next big thing in the future of the Internet of Things (IoT) is automobile electronics systems. Now hpematter.com lays out the astonishing future for IoT through the eyes and vision of Bosch Software Innovations CEO Rainer Kallenbach. Rainer Kallenbach, CEO of Bosch Software Innovations, says that Bosch’s goal is to have each and every electronic component connectable to the internet. “HPE is an important ecosystem partner of the Bosch Group, supplying hardware and software. But it isn’t enough that the devices can just connect to each other—they have to be able to actually talk to … [Read more...]
SHENZHEN, China—A Sea of Skyscrapers too Massive to be Rolled Back
Here the WSJ explains Shenzhen’s deeply entrenched electronics manufacturing infrastructure and its thrust into design and branding. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump ’s threat to compel Apple Inc. and others to manufacture more at home should strike fear into this Chinese megacity where many of the world’s high-tech gadgets are made. Once a sleepy village, Shenzhen today is the sprawling epicenter of China’s consumer-electronics industry, the country’s top export. At two Foxconn Technology Group factories here, some 230,000 workers make gear for Apple and global rivals, including Chinese … [Read more...]
A New Revolution in Connected “things” to Blow by Smartphones
Here hpe.matter.com predicts the innovators who will lead the charge. The conversation about the Internet of Things (IoT) has hit a crescendo this year. Sure, the number of connected devices in the world surpassed the human population eight years ago, but 2016 may mark something more significant. Some reports suggest that there will be more connected “things” in the world than traditional computing devices such as laptops and smartphones. As the digital web of smart devices expands and inspires new technology, the question arises: Who are the people conducting this growing IoT … [Read more...]
IoT a World Wide Competitive Advantage Game-Changer
Here ibm.com breaks the compelling story of how USA Cycling is harnessing the awesome power of the Internet of Things (IoT). USA Cycling Women’s Team Pursuit has joined forces with Watson IoT, IBM Analytics, and IBM jStart to incorporate real-time data analytics from the internet of things into their training. Before the USA Cycling teamed up with IBM Watson IoT and IBM Analytics, coaches would spend hours after every practice processing power meter and other disparate information, loading the data into spreadsheets, analyzing what could be helpful for tomorrow’s training session and how … [Read more...]
Portfolio Strategy: Groceries at Amazon.com? How to Lose Money
Wouldn’t your life be easier if the kitchen cabinets and the fridge magically replenished themselves? That’s the thrust behind Amazon’s move into grocery home delivery. Take it from me, the financing runway will have to be pretty long for Amazon to be successful in this business. Grocery home delivery is where I cut my teeth in the investment world. I remember learning that difficult lesson about Internet investing after spending the summer of my junior year at Babson as an intern for a grocery home delivery startup company. When the job was done, I liked the idea so much that I invested my … [Read more...]