Showing posts with label android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label android. Show all posts

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Reflection from Watching Passengers (2016)

This is not a spoiler as I do not want to tell the story of the movie Passengers (2016) directed by Mortem Tyldum. I just want to say something about this movie, more like a reflection.
#1: Why do people want to look for a new colony?
In the movie, it is all about space traveling where a human can be transported to a new colony planet. People are willing to pay and travel hundreds over the years to start a new life. It doesn't matter if space traveling is possible in the future, we are already seeing thousands of people leaving their home every year to look for a new life, or merely just to survive. When we have to leave our home and take the risk to find a new place to survive, it is not a good sign at all.
#2: Can automation replace ALL humans?
Automation is going to be how we live in the future. Basically, jobs can be replaced by robots, in this movie, it's the Android. From bartender, chef, waiter, cleaner to pilot, almost all jobs can be replaced by robots. So, what are the jobs left for human beings? The designer and programmer of robots? As much as automation and Artificial Intelligence (A.I) been used in the movie to show how advanced our future can be, the main problem of the spaceship due to an accident cannot be solved without humans. However, only a few people needed to solve a problem because of the availability of A.I. There go our jobs in the future.

#3: Is the right decision always right?
People make a decision every day and we always want to make the right decision. Is the right decision always right? Somehow, we do not bother what is right or wrong when we come to a stage where we just want to get things done for the good of oneself. In the movie, Jim went through a typical process of decision making to wake Aurora from hibernation. Did he make the right decision? The movie shows some plots where it supports the decision made by Jim, but it was a criminal decision, a decision that is like killing someone. Yet, Jim is the hero in the movie, saving thousands of lives. I say it is complicated when it comes to what is the right thing to do.
#4: Are we differentiated by our wealth?
Another highlight in this movie is on the services available for a different classification of a passenger. The gold class passenger can access to more choices of meals and a much better room but no the economic class. Is this something new? Not at all because we experience this in our everyday life. This is just a norm, a widely accepted practice around the world now and...maybe forever. We are living in a world of differentiation, perhaps the word discrimination can describe this better. Like it or not, this classification of passengers will stay. So if you want the gold class services, maybe you can learn from Jim.
#5: Don't tell Android everything.
Lastly, don't let your android have access to all your data. The android can be a good companion to you but it is just a system designed to serve the user. It doesn't have judgmental decision when it comes to emotional related matters. The morale of the story, be careful with your privacy on Android, it don't mean harm but it can be dangerous.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

The new iPhone 7: Top 4 Features

Everybody is talking about the new iPhone 7 but this time, it is not something that everyone is excited about. Perhaps only the hardcore fans of Apple will feel excited because some of the new features offered in the new iPhone 7 is really new (for Apple) but it is common in the world of Android users.

Firstly, the emphasis is on 'Black, jet black finishes'. 
Well, the origin of the mobile phone is in black anyway. I remember my first Nokia 8110 which was featured in the movie "Matrix" was an all black phone which was built with the "human technology" in mind. So, Apple is taking a bold move to go back to the classic and premium feel of black, a color that never fail. Excited? I don't think so.
Screenshot from Apple's Official Website. Source: http://www.apple.com/iphone-7/
Second, it is the "Splash and Water Resistance". 
Hmmm, anything new? Not really if you are already an Android user, especially Samsung or Sony. More phones are promoting active outdoor usage with a tougher built for users with out-going lifestyles. Even for some users who are not into extreme outdoor activities, having a water resistance smartphone can be useful when it is needed (maybe when a phone drop into the toilet?) Hence, water resistance is becoming a good-to-have feature for higher-end smartphones. I think Apple fans will be very excited about this but for an existing Android user, will this make them to switch to iPhone 7? (I don't think so).
Screenshot from Apple's Official Website. Source: http://www.apple.com/iphone-7/
Third, Two cameras that shoot as one (only available on iPhone 7 Plus).
Two is better than one? I am not a professional photographer so I cannot comment much about the quality of the dual camera with telephoto lens. We will have to wait for some reviews or comparison tests from the specialist like Techradar, CNET or Android Authority. We have also seen the use of dual-camera on some Android-based smartphones, with the latest model in the market that collaborated with Leica too. Perhaps this is the trend and will become more common in the near future.
Anyhow, the question is are you excited for a two cameras and it is only available if you purchase the iPhone 7 Plus, which will cost much more? To me, I am not so sure if it worth the money.
Screenshot from Apple's Official Website. Source: http://www.apple.com/iphone-7/
Lastly, The EarPods and AirPods
Okay, the new EarPods uses Lightning connector. Which means that you will not be able to use your EarPods while charging or vice versa. It is good that iPhone 7 still comes with the 3.5mm headphone jack adapter (wait, adapter? Then what is the point...). I personally feels that the Airpods design looks weird, especially looking at the picture shown on Apple's official website. Also, I think a careless person like me might lost the AirPods easily, unless it has a sensor or something that tells me I am away from the Pods if I have dropped it/misplace it somewhere. Well, maybe that's just me.

There are still a list of features that Apple is shouting about the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus but I think the most significant features are these four. The overall design looks the same like iPhone 6 so it is not worth mentioning. After going through the Tech Specs on the website, I personally don't see the 'Wow-factor' and I am looking forward for the iPhone 8 perhaps.

What say you?