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We chatting about the major implications of Spectre and Meltdown. Both of these vulnerabilities in computer security are critical to understand, both from a technical side and a user security side. Spectre and Meltdown tear at the fundamental core of how we build and operate our computing systems over the past twenty years. Amazon Go opened in Seattle with much praise and excitement, showing that a grocery store can function without checkout lines and workers. Microsoft is attempting to capitalize in the classroom by introducing new laptops for educators and students. The question remains – why are they so late and why are they so behind. Montana introduces the first ever state based net neutrality regulations for ISPs to follow, a first major step in protecting equal access to information, data, and services.
Why Spectre and Meltdown Are Critical to Understand
Google’s Project Zero found one of the largest vulnerabilities in central processing units (CPUs), a vulnerability that tears at the foundation of the basics of computing and computer security. With the ability to attack CPUs, every chip in every device over the past 20 years is susceptible to attack. Check out the four links provides below in Resources for additional details and readings. As news continues to roll in, this is what we know at the moment.
- Spectre targets process memory and Meltdown targets kernel memory
- Spectre breeches branch prediction; Meltdown intercepts speculative execution
- Such CPU design standards (i.e. prediction) are manufactured into every chip today
- JavaScript can be tricked into giving hacker user/password information
- Update your mobile devices, tablets, desktops, and browsers for security patches
Get In Line at Amazon Go – Sounds Funny
In December 2016, Amazon tested the waters by using technologies such as computer vision, sensor fusion, and more to open a store without workers and without checkout lines. After working on the concept and technology a bit more, Amazon Go is now officially open for business in Seattle.
- The 1,800 square foot store offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items
- Customers enter store, scan in their Amazon account, choose their items, and leave
- Amazon is beginning to redefine the shopping experience with this store concept
- The storefront is ideal in highly populated, highly dense regions of the United States
Microsoft Playing Check Up in Education
Ten years ago, Microsoft was so well positioned to dominate the classroom and educational spaces across the country. Their presence was felt in institutions, libraries, and classrooms. After failing to capitalize on introduce quality laptops and products, they are fighting to get back in the game with new Windows 10 laptops.
- The price point of $189 (100e) and $279 (300e) is attractive in the industry
- Microsoft struggles to keep future generations within a system of software and services
- Google Chromebooks and Google Classroom dominate with over 50% covered
- There’s always a place for Microsoft in the classroom but to what extent is the question
State-Based Net Neutrality Regulations Coming to Montana
The Democratic Governor of Montana, Steve Bullock, signed an executive order requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) under state contracts to adhere to net neutrality regulations moving forward. It’s a great start to a major movement across the tech industry to save equal access to information and data.
- The FCC’s decision to roll back Federal regulations prompted this move in Montana
- Montana has hundreds of contracts in place with ISP delivery service to state agencies
- This move protects rural schools, hospitals, universities, care centers, and more
- New York, Rhode Island, Washington, and other states are drafting new regulations too
Resources
Spectre and Meltdown Explained
Tech Giants Scramble for Patches
The Average Guy Podcast – Technical Breakdown
Intel Tells Users to Stop Deploying Spectre Patch
Microsoft challenges Chromebooks
Montana Introduces First State Specific Net Neutrality Rules
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Walmart E-Commerce and Facebook Clickbait Issues
WalMart makes a $3 billion bid for Jet.com as they position themselves to compete heavily with Amazon in the e-commerce industry. The Rio 2016 Olympics are here and we provide the variety of ways to consume the events, which is always a heated debate. Facebook has a major clickbait issue and are building a system to eliminate clickbait-y items from your News Feed. Google has completely mapped The Himalayas and has a fun app called Verne that allows you to explore the famous mountainous region. Finally, technology has its pitfalls and all you need to do is ask Delta about their recent woes.
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Silicon Valley Tour
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Ask.com search, Mozilla F1, Silicon Valley Tour and the White Pages
Show Notes
Ask.com has decided to throw in the towel regarding their search engine side of business. Ask.com has slowly dropped to only 3.7% of the search engine market, behind the likes of Bing, Yahoo, and Google. This leaves 130 employees in New Jersey and China without jobs and allows Ask.com to focus on their core competency, their humanistic question-and-answer service.
2. Verizon seeks permission to stop delivering White Pages
Verizon is going to soon approach the D.C. Public Service Commission about eliminating the delivery of their White Pages service in the states of Virginia and Maryland. Verizon plans to distribute the White Pages via CD-ROM or print upon request. As residential landlines continue to decline from year to year, Verizon looks to phase out an outdated service and advance their profit margins.
3. Mozilla’s New F1 add-on
Mozilla has introduced a browser extension, F1, that allows you to share links in a fast, fun, and easy way. Integrate your Twitter feed, GMail, and Facebook status within your browser, from any webpage. The add-on is clean and molds neatly into your browser. Try it out Firefox users and let us know how you like it!
4. Silicon Valley tour
I made a round robin trip to visit Apple, Google, Facebook and the TWiT Network. Be sure and listen in and find out what I have to say.
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Amazon Files Suit and National Drone Registry
We dive into the Office of Personnel Management security breach and what it means to us personally. We follow that up with a personal tech challenge, one we hope you join in on, to turn off the cell phone and leave it at home. Amazon is back in the news as they has taken to the courts to sue thousands that provide fake reviews on their site. And finally, we dive into the drone discussion again, specifically recreational drone ownership registration.