Monthly Archives: July 2019

Google Will Pay You $5 For Face Scan

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Yesterday, Google announced new features that will be included in the Pixel 4. These particular features add a motion sensor, called Soli, and a more efficient facial recognition update. And although unlocking your phone with facial recognition is nothing new, both work together to make it work faster and easier for you.

Brandon Barbello, the Product Manager of Pixel writes, “If the face unlock sensors and algorithms recognize you, the phone will open as you pick it up, all in one motion. Better yet, face unlock works in almost any orientation—even if you’re holding it upside down—and you can use it for secure payments and app authentication too.”

And with all that said, the Verge reported that Google is coordinating “field research” to accumulate data to improve the reliability of the new Pixel 4’s new facial recognition features. However the catch is that you have to be at the right place at the right time. Employees of Google are scattered throughout the U.S. offering $5 gift certificates to those who participate in the facial scan.

It may be weird if someone comes up to you, claiming to be a Google Employee and requesting to scan your face for research, but hey at least you get $5 out of it. I believe in the consent form you can request a deletion of your information whenever though, so that’s a plus.

Be on the lookout for this upcoming device in the future.

For inquiries, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Windows 10 Spring Update Announcement

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Yes, you’ve heard that right. Even though the 1909 update is still in testing phase, Microsoft has already announced their upcoming Spring 2020 update. And there are a handful of features and improvements included in this particular one!

The 20H1 release will allow users registered in the Windows Insiders Program to beta test them before the update is released to the public. Focusing on the OS performance, this upcoming major version plans on modernizing Windows with a rounded design instead of the traditional block angle look.

Create Event on Taskbar

You’ll also have the ability to add a quick reminder or appointment on your taskbar calendar. Choose a date, time and location (which are optional) and type up the important stuff. All those in Windows Insider Program are able to try this feature out first-hand.

Passwordless

Another great feature shared on the Microsoft blog post is the variety of sign-in options. You can add, change or remove ways to sign-in. These include Fingerprint, Pin, Security Key, or Windows Hello Face (used by your camera). But that’s not necessarily what the big deal is about. It’s the Passwordless option. This is specifically to increase security on your device.

Magnifier and Narrator

Other improvements include the Magnifier UI is now compatible with the dark theme, along with the text sizing alternative. And if you often use the Narrator, this update will allow it to automatically begin content when it loads on the webpage.

There are a plethora of other features included in next year’s 20H1 update, and I’m personally looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. The Language Settings Enhancement is going to be awesome. Installing the elected language pack will allow your display, apps and websites to be readable for you personally.

Keep an eye out for future What’s New on the Microsoft Docs.

For help with any Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.

Apple Devices 2012 and Older Require Update

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If you have an older iPhone or iPad device, Apple will require you to update your iOS on November 3rd of this year. While this may cause controversy over forced updates, Apple states how important this particular update is.

“It’s always a good idea to keep the operating system on your iPhone or iPad updated,” Apple Support writes. “It’s especially important to update your device’s software before November 3, 2019 to make sure that its GPS, date, and time continue to work properly.

If you don’t update to the newest version of iOS available for your device before November 3, 2019, some models might not be able to maintain an accurate GPS position. And functions that rely on the correct date and time—such as syncing with iCloud and fetching email—might not work.”

Devices affected by this update are located on their Support Blog. If you have a Wi-Fi only iPad or iPod touch, you won’t have to worry about this issue making any kind of impact.

For help with Apple updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Office 365 Improvements Coming in August

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Within the last few years, negative feedback from clients and admins in regards to Office activation management have been concerning to Microsoft. So in the month of August, they will be implementing changes to Office 365. These changes will improve and simplify the licensing technology for clients with subscriptions.

Shubham Gupta from Microsoft writes, ” In August, we’ll start slowly rolling out these changes to commercial customers on Monthly Channel. The roll-out will continue to Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) in September, and Semi-Annual Channel in January 2020.”

Changes will include:

  • Signing out automatically
  • No deactivation cues
  • Managing device activation
  • No Activation/Deactivation Error

There will still be a 5-device sign-in limit. And you’ll continue to sign in to Office 365. You will not have to do anything to allow these changes to happen in your Office 365 account. These improvements will happen when they’re available.

For inquiries about Microsoft, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Microsoft and AT&T Alliance with the Cloud

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Microsoft and At&t have paired up on a thorough alliance this week, allowing AT&T to become the “public cloud first” company and Microsoft becoming their prime cloud provider. This broad cloud involves AI and 5G.

According to the press release on July 17th, “AT&T is becoming a “public cloud first” company by migrating most non-network workloads to the public cloud by 2024. That initiative will allow AT&T to focus on core network capabilities, accelerate innovation for its customers, and empower its workforce while optimizing costs.

Read the full press release here!

The multi-year agreement with Microsoft added that AT&T will provide most of their employees with Microsoft 365 cloud-based tools and security services. Also, they’ll be working on the non-network infrastructure applications on Microsoft Azure. This essential coalition comes with a more than $2 million deal, according to CNBC.

The Microsoft News Center adds that charity is part of this collaboration. “In addition to their technology collaboration, AT&T and Microsoft will work together on technology-enabled approaches and solutions aimed at social good. Both companies have been focused on addressing sustainability, accessibility, and community challenges such as homelessness and see an opportunity to support each other’s work to address urgent social needs, including Microsoft’s affordable housing initiative and the AT&T Believes campaign.”

For help with any Microsoft issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Windows 10 May Update Pushed on April 2018 Update

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If you have an older update on your computer, be prepared for this.

Windows has previously announced the beginning of the Windows 10 May 2019 Update for users with devices that have not installed the latest update and are nearing end of service. As of July 16, the updating process has begun with the Home and Pro editions to ensure ample time for everything to run as expected.

Though many users aren’t happy about this forced update, Windows assures that they will, “closely monitor update feedback to allow [them] to prioritize those devices likely to have a good update experience and quickly put safeguards on other devices while [they] address known issues.” This is to ensure customers that Support will continue. Be sure to remember that you can delay the update for a short time. Those with Home and Pro editions will be able to choose a time that works for them and pause the update for up to 35 days.

For help with Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Russia now has access to your photos through FaceApp

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There is a strict warning from experts with the free FaceApp. The free filter app, that includes old age, began in 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia, but has seemed to grow popular just recently. Experts say that it poses security concerns that may just allow them to acquire access to your identity through your photos. This could also very well give them certain personal information.

NYPost notifies readers, “FaceApp, which you grant permission to access your photo gallery, also includes in their Terms and Conditions that they have the right to modify, reproduce and publish any of the images you process through its AI. That means that your face could end up being commercialized — or worse.”

Even if an Apple iOS user set their photo permission to “never”, it’s not guaranteed that your pictures won’t be accessed.

Hackers have the ability to retrieve information from databases and steal any available information. According to TheBestVPN, an astounding 1.76 billion records were leaked in January 2019 alone. And they are vindictive and intentional.

This issue has raised so much awareness, that on July 17, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter requesting the FBI and FTC to start an investigation of the app. In the letter, he stated, “I ask that the FBI assess whether the personal data uploaded by millions of Americans onto FaceApp may be finding its way into the hand of the Russian government, or entities with ties to the Russian government.”

For help with any security issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.



Hard Disk Platters and Media

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Every hard disk contains one or more flat disks that are used to actually hold the data in the drive. These disks are called platters (sometimes also “disks” or “discs”). They are composed of two main substances: a substrate material that forms the bulk of the platter and gives it structure and rigidity, and a magnetic media coating which actually holds the magnetic impulses that represent the data. Hard disks get their name from the rigidity of the platters used, as compared to floppy disks and other media which use flexible “platters” (actually, they aren’t usually even called platters when the material is flexible.)

The platters are “where the action is”–this is where the data itself is recorded. For this reason the quality of the platters and particularly, their media coating, is critical. The surfaces of each platter are precision machined and treated to remove any imperfections, and the hard disk itself is assembled in a clean room to reduce the chances of any dirt or contamination getting onto the platters.

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This is an archive of Charles M. Kozierok’s PCGuide (pcguide.com) which disappeared from the internet in 2018. We wanted to preserve Charles M. Kozierok’s knowledge about computers and are permanently hosting a selection of important pages from PCGuide.

Windows 10 Upcoming Update 1909

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Windows 10 announced their upcoming update, code-named 19H2, but will probably be better known as 1909. This one will be released to the public sometime in September (others think it may come out as late as October). But Windows Insiders can receive it earlier. Sort of.

2 days ago, Dona Sarkar and Brandon LeBlanc wrote that Windows Insiders who are in the slow ring of Windows 10 May Update will be “receiving 19H2 via servicing as a Cumulative Update and not a full build update.” This is in hopes to receive feedback and issue reports for better improvement.

The 1090 build adds a plethora of new features and fixes; The fixes can be registered instantly. However, the features by default are all turned off. This allows them to test the off-by-default technology, which is one of the features included in this update. Sarkar and LeBlanc listed in their post some enhancements and changes included in 19H2 Build:

  • “Windows containers require matched host and container version. This restricts customers and limits Windows containers from supporting mixed-version container pod scenarios This update includes 5 fixes to address this and allow the host to run down-level containers on up-level for process (Argon) isolation.
  • A fix to allow OEMs to reduce the inking latency based on the hardware capabilities of their devices rather than being stuck with latency selected on typical hardware configuration by the OS.
  • Key-rolling or Key-rotation feature enables secure rolling of Recovery passwords on MDM managed AAD devices upon on demand request from in-tune/MDM tools or upon every time recovery password is used to unlock the BitLocker protected drive. This feature will help prevent accidental recovery password disclosure as part of manual BitLocker drive unlock by users.
  • A change to enable third-party digital assistants to voice activate above the Lock screen.”

So regardless of when this new update comes out, you will still have the option of updating your OS when you’re ready for it.

For help with any Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.

Pausing Windows 10 Updates

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Many Windows 10 OS users have complained about the new update slowing down or even crashing their computer. It can be a nuisance and often frustrating, especially since in the new operating system downloads updates automatically without any notice.

Thankfully, Windows 10 gives you the opportunity to choose to pause any updates on downloads and installations. So if you’re not prepared to install, here’s how you can pause it:

  • Start Menu
  • Settings
  • Update & Security
  • Windows Update
  • Advanced Options -or- Pause updates for 7 days
  • Select the drop-down menu and pick a date

Windows notes that you will have to install the latest updates before you will be able to pause again.

(This tip works with Windows 10, version 1903, Windows 10 Pro, version 1809, or Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1809)

For help with Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.