Posts By: David Firth

Canadian tech firms optimistic in face to Trump’s immigration restrictions

Posted by & filed under IT and Politics.

While U.S. immigration restrictions introduced late last week are bringing the stateside technology industry together in outrage, some Canadians see a positive ripple effect on tech recruitment and investment north of the border.  “Canada has an opportunity to be a country where the best talent from around the world can move here and do their… Read more »

Your tech habits leave a carbon footprint, too

Posted by & filed under Apple, Ethical Issues, Green Tech.

The company you are using and the way you power your home are all factors in the way your technology affects the environment, researchers say. Source: Washington Post Date: February 1, 2017 Link: https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2017/01/25/your-tech-habits-leave-a-carbon-footprint-too.html Discussion 1) “How do our tech habits affect how much power we use and the environment? Finding an answer is harder than you may… Read more »

Look who isn’t talking: Why Canadians are being left behind in the voice-activated tech wars

Posted by & filed under Amazon, App Economy, Intelligent Assistants, Internet of Things.

“Alexa, why can’t I buy you in Canada?”  That’s the question many early technology adopters here would like to ask one of the hottest gadgets in the U.S. Source: Toronto Star Date: January 26th, 2017 Link: https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/01/23/look-who-isnt-talking-why-canadians-are-being-left-behind-in-the-voice-activated-tech-wars.html Discussion 1) “One potential sticking point is language. Alexa used to be English-only, but in September 2016, the company launched the… Read more »

Digital sexism: Why are all virtual assistants women?

Posted by & filed under Ethical Issues, Women in Tech.

Why are virtual assistants from Amazon, Google and Apple all “female”? Technically speaking, of course, virtual assistants don’t have genders. But they do have names and voices that suggest to users they are more “female” than “male” — a characterization that reinforces some of the worst gender stereotypes in our society. Source: CBC Technology News Date: January 26th,… Read more »

How BlaBlaCar created a global transport network

Posted by & filed under App Economy.

A rail strike is a strange time to realise that your start-up is going to be a success but that was the moment that the founders of BlaBlaCar knew that their company was going to take off.  BlaBlaCar is the French online ride-sharing company that pairs people travelling between cities with drivers who have empty… Read more »

The AI that knows when we cheat

Posted by & filed under Artificial intelligence, Ethical Issues.

Detecting online crime typically means knowing what to look for. Artificial intelligence that monitors any unusual behaviour can do it better – and step in when habits get out of hand. Source: BBC – Future Date: January 26th, 2017 Link: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170126-the-ai-that-knows-when-you-cheat-by-learning-your-habits Discussion 1) “By monitoring frame-by-frame data from the game, Aric flagged unusual hikes in the accuracy of… Read more »

Sextech as a necessity?

Posted by & filed under App Economy, Censorship, Civil Liberties, Entertainment, Ethical Issues.

Note: the video in this article contains graphic language.  Viewer discretion is advised. Entrepreneur Cindy Gallop is hellbent on bringing “sextech” out of the fringes.  You’re probably thinking: Does the world really need more connected vibrators or smart kegel trainers?  But Gallop defines “sextech” as any technology venture designed to innovate and enhance human sexuality…. Read more »