Protester's act spread COVID-19?

The US research team revealed that anti-lockdown protesters spread the COVID-19 virus, even if unintentionally.

The Guardian: US lockdown protests may have spread virus widely, cellphone data suggests

This astonishing result was derived from the mobile phone tracking data. Protesters traveled for a long distance. And their process of journey included areas in which COVID-19 had not been apparent so far. But after their meeting, patients emerged.

It is quite ironic that their claim that the lockdown was not a right way of policy was proven as wrong with their own behavior. Reckless movement such as their activity brought COVID-19 spreading. Considering their hyperactivity, this result is indeed not so surprising.

On the other hand, I was surprised that the fact that protesters' behavior was inappropriate was easily proven with a mobile technology. It is a victory of science. At the same time, our activity is easily to be tracked.

Anyway, silly activity should be hesitated. Unintentional transference can be an act of murderer. 

Chiba to ban Apple products

The relationship between the US and China seems to have become worsened unfortunately.

China is preparing to restrict the import of Apple and some American products, according to Global Times, a semiofficial paper of Communist Party of China.

Reuters: China ready to put Apple, other U.S. companies in 'unreliable entity list': Global Times

It is uncertain the news is corrected. Anyway, China is going to exclude the US industry. It is the same vice versa. I am afraid this deteriorating relationship will make no victors. Perhaps, some developing counties which introduce any nation's product will be dominant in the future.

Zoom's value is rocketing

Zoom video communications, a famous telecommunication company is rapidly increasing its market value.

Its stock price is now 165 USD, and its market value has reached 30 billion USD, by four fold higher in this half year.

Money Control: Zoom is now worth more than American Airlines, Expedia and Hilton combined

It is obviously because we have to stay home at the COVID-19 pandemic. Now people utilize video conference systems most vitally than ever before.

Zoom was criticized on its vulnerability to wiretapping. Nonetheless, its usability is admired by many people. The fact that even in the current tragic situation some companies are growing encourages us.

Google Card coming?

Google seems to develop its own branded debit card.

TechCrunch: Leaked pics reveal Google smart debit card to rival Apple’s

Tech Crunch leaked some images of Google Card which is similar to Apple's one. If it is true, Google will expand its field of products from information technology to finance. It is not surprising because an independent payment system is crucial for an IT company with a certain size to grow up their business.

Therefore, this event will be a usual activity of Google. I do not believe Google card itself will change our daily life at all.

Facebook bans pseudoscience from advertisement

Facebook removed pseudoscience as a category for advertizement.

Reuters: Facebook gets rid of 'pseudoscience' ad-targeting category

This solution was a reaction to recent situation that many incorrect information about prevention from COVID-19 emerged as the WHO declared "infordemic." Similar to events occurred previously, we are often confused among massive information in a life-threatening situation. Meanwhile, not a few evil people are willing to trick citizens with introducing wrong, or even harmful solutions.

In this sense, Facebook's decision is rational and admirable. But, I am doubtful that it will contribute to get rid of incorrect information from the internet. Most providers of pseudoscience are not aware of the fact that they do not adhere to the principle of science. Objective judgment of the validity for each information is necessary to clean up the internet. Of course, however, it is extremely difficult to distinguish true things from others.

Google and other companies are eager to check the factfulness of each website. Some AI algorithms have been developed to judge them automatically. But their sensitivity and specificity are not satisfactory.

For a while, or decades, we have to be keen to develop our eye to find the truth on our own.

IT as a solution for lockdown loneliness?

In the state of lockdown, we are forced to stay home. It causes us several problems not only physically but also mentally.

Sense of loneliness has been proven as a factor of shortening life expectancy. And social isolation is no other than loneliness. Thus, we have to manage our solitude somehow to maintain our health.

Latest neuroscience has clarified the characteristics of loneliness as well as the solution for it. Cognitive therapy is beneficial to modify our sense of solitude. As well, behavioral experiment will be effective to actually decrease desperate feeling.

However, several ways of treatment are unavailable now because of behavioral restriction. We cannot talk each other directly. Gyms are closed even if you want to take physical exercise.

Therefore, robotics and other information technologies have to be utilized properly. So far, online session was deemed as inferior to direct conversation in satisfactory level and degree of mutual understanding. It may be correct. But engineers are enthusiastic to overcome the gap.

The Conversation: The neuroscience of loneliness – and how technology is helping us

In my precision, the current situation will last for months, or even years. We have to adapt this status anyway.

Entertainment in lockdown situation

In recent, many people are trapped in the house because of the risk of the novel corona virus infection. This situation affects our life in several ways.

Lack of physical exercise causes us many symptoms. Not only metabolism, but also mental activity can be interrupted.

There are some reports that lockdown is a risk for domestic violence. Too much close relationship in a tough and uncertain situation cause anger and hostility to our mind.

In such a case, relaxation and entertainment are essential for maintain our mental health. Fortunately, many companies are offering components which are available via the internet. For example, DriveThruRPG, a huge portal selling role-playing game tools, sells massive PDF articles for low cost. Marvel Unlimited also provides some historic comics such as Avengers for free in a limited term.

The serious situation will continue for a while. We need entertainment. Do not hesitate to enjoy something now.

Amazon lower the fee for affiliate

Amazon will cut the rate of interest of its affiliate program dramatically.

Folio: Amazon Cuts Affiliate Commission Fees for Certain Product Categories

Amazon, as well as some other e-commerce companies, offers affiliate marketing program. Thus, blogger and website organizers can get some rewards when a customer purchase Amazon's goods after clicking advertisement appeared on his web page. The late of reward was up to 8% of the sales.

But Amazon will lower the rate by 30-80% since next week. This decision will strike many bloggers relying on the income from affiliate programs.

Because of COVID-19 pandemic, many people hesitate to go out to shopping. Amazon's sales must be drastically increased in recent. I guess Amazon would like to improve its balance sheet through cutting the cost for affiliate program.

I am not familiar with the advertisement business. I have no ads on this blog. As far as I remember, Amazon lowered the rate of incentive also in the past. Thus, the reward of affiliate will never be risen.

Amazon itself will become more stable, and conservative, company. It is a rational policy for Amazon to survive the next era, I think.

Conflict between US and China badly influence on Huawei as well as COVID-19 situation

We are at war against the novel corona virus. Besides, the US and China have fighting on the field of technology for years.

In recent years, Huawei rose to be a giant in this region. Its products were as good as those by Apple and Samsung, or at least not so much inferior. Also, they were far cheap. Therefore, Huawei was recognized as a great threat of the US.

The US government has been taking several ways to ban Huawei's products from the US and global market. It is an example that installing Google's Android on Huawei's tablet became illegal.

As a result, Huawei lost many profits. But the influence was not limited to Huawei itself. International collaboration between the US and China in the industry was also damaged. Some researchers suggest that the conflict between two nations caused broadened infection of the novel corona virus in the US. According to them, if both governments had been collaborated to share the exact information about COVID-19, the current situation would have been different.

Now, the US seems not to stop the battle against China. I do not support the US policy. As a citizen, there is no good of conflict between influential nations.

The Economist: Open standards, not sanctions, are America’s best weapon against Huawei

Let's Note QV8 here

I renovated a laptop PC from Microsoft Surface to Panasonic Let's Note recently.

Let's Note is a flagship series of Panasonic products. It is not popular not only globally, but also in Japan, mainly because of its high cost. Let's Note series were adopted as an official model PC in the Tokyo Olympic 2020, postponed to the next year unfortunately.

But, I believe its performance is supreme compared with any other laptops.

Let's Note's advantages are high performed CPU, total weight, many types of interface including VGA and LAN. The latest Let's Note equips a USB type C connector. It can be powered via type C, only in the case the adapter can provide over 65W power.

Let's Note QV8 has limited batteries. In my sense, after using it for three or four hours, the battery is expired. It is a terrible disadvantage.

Above all, this machine is cool but somewhat inconvenient. Cost effectiveness is bad, to be honest. I do not recommend to buy it unless you can take some financial support.

Internet conference rises and falls

As novel corona virus pandemic emerges, many companies have to change their business styles.

Among all, connecting with unidentified people is a great risk of infection. Refraining from using public transportation as well as conference is recommended.

However, most businesspersons need to commune to their company. Also, there are several important meetings at work as well as schooling.

Then, online conference can be a solution to keep important contacts. Fortunately, video chatting is now popular in many developed countries. Also in developing nations, not a few people use a chat with a smartphone.

Zoom is one of the most famous video chat systems. Its traffic rose by 20 times due to the pandemic, according to the media.

However, there are several cases reported recently regarding Zoom accident. For example, some strangers intruded to the chat room, to make a hate speech. These cases are called “Zoom bombing.”

Every internet tool has vulnerabilities. If an unaccustomed user recklessly present their meeting ID and password on a public space, it will be a hint for crackers. However, it is said that Zoom has flawed security management. A skilled cracker could get the password at a certain Zoom meeting with over 10% of possibility, according to some media.

If so, Zoom is responsible for exposing customers to the risk of wiretapping. The New York City government declared to ban Zoom from their school settings.

FastCompany.com: Zoom banned from New York City schools due to privacy and security flaws

Being wiretapped of a secret meeting is a great risk for some situation. While several cases were reported about Zoom bombing, most of all seems to be a silly trick, even never acceptable. Culprits may be frustrated to the current situation. Otherwise, they have waited an opportunity to present their twisted ideology. Internet and social network tend to visualize human’s malice. It is an adverse effect of convenient tools. We are tested with not only the pandemic but also infodemic.    

Huawei release flagship smartphone without Android

Huawei's newest smartphone will not equip Android, according to the media.

The Jakartapost.com: Huawei flagship phone goes Google-free

Huawei, as well as other Chinese companies, has been sanctioned by the US. Since suspecting some spywares are installed in Chinese products, the US government prohibited Google and other companies to make an alliance with Chinese companies. Therefore, Huawei cannot produce smartphones powered by Google Android. Instead, it developed an original OS for smartphone.

I personally like Huawei's product because it is the only provider releasing 8 inch tablets with an LTE module. I wonder why other companies try to release similar tablets. The withdrawal of Huawei from Android did damage to me a lot.   

AI image diagnosis is promised

Technology in medical science is very rapidly developing. Especially, AI solution is one of the most promised region.

Recently, some cases were reported in which an AI diagnosis was superior to doctor's. It is uncertain whether the machine will overwhelm human doctors completely. But, as far as limited to the issue of image diagnosis, we should properly rely on AI support.

Inverse: A NEW A.I. SYSTEM COULD MAKE SURE WE NEVER MISDIAGNOSE CANCER AGAIN

Because pattern recognition is a core element of image diagnosis. Radiologists are familiar to make a diagnosis with one snapshot. But they are not only trained to evaluate each image with a digital scale but also accustomed to distinguish some unnatural beings in a film. Their sense is similar to an instinct.

On the other hand, AI can learn something from massive number of films which were tagged as normal or abnormal. These tags are basically reliable because they had been investigated by physicians previously. Thus, AI can experience astronomical numbers of cases before facing a real patient.

Therefore, AI's sense is similar to those skilled radiologists have acquired. It does not matter whether it should be called a sense or not. It is certain that this learning process is quite rational.

Also in psychiatry, research for improving the quality of AI diagnosis is ongoing. But it will be much more tough, in my opinion. It is because each case are hardly tagged to "correct diagnosis."

A critical bug is found in Windows

Microsoft released an information of a critical bug. through the bug, a hacker could compromise the Windows PC.

Independent: MAJOR WINDOWS BUG IS LETTING HACKERS ATTACK USERS, SAYS MICROSOFT

According to Microsoft, it has started addressing this issue. But, the actual influence of the bug remains uncertain.

In recent, the share of Windows PC in the market is decreasing, not only due to rise of Mac but also the spread of smartphone. Nonetheless, when a critical bug is found in Windows, the social impact will be still high.

Gamebook conference

Recently, I attended a conference of gamebook creators.

This event was held in Tokyo. In spite of corona virus shock, there were several audience who are interested in this theme.

Gamebook, or interactive novel, was developed in 1970s and became popular in late 20th century all over the world. In Japan, several foreign gamebooks written by famous authors, such as Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone, and Dave Morris, were translated into Japanese.

Also, many gamebooks were released in Japan. Among them, novelization of computer game softwares, especially Family Computer, a Nintendo game console, was so successful that many best-selling FamiCon gamebooks were released one after another.

One presenter in this session was a writer of many FamiCon gamebooks. He was fond of playing computer games. Therefore, he would like to express fascinating elements of computer games on a paper gamebook.

However, as computer games became popular and easy to purchase, gamebooks declined rapidly. Considering the situation changing, he dropped himself out from the publisher to change the job, said he.

Now, gamebook is a minor media, but is still surviving. It is difficult to monetize gamebook publishing business. On the other hand, Kindle Direct Publishing and other digital publication service have significantly reduced the publishing cost. Indeed, I have published some original gamebooks on Amazon.

I believe gamebook will become a little more popular again as a casual habit in the future.

iPad Pro and MacBook Air updated

Apple disclosed the information about the coming iPad Pro and MacBook Air.

According to the media, the new iPad Pro will be released on 24 March, 2020.

TechRadar: New iPad Pro 2020 release date, price, news and everything you need to know

Of course, the new iPad Pro has faster CPU than the previous model. In addition, it will equip a triplet camera on the back, which will enable an enhanced AR experience.

Apple also will release a new cover with keyboard. It will be called Magic Keyboard, same as previous ones attached with Mac family. This keyboard equips a track pad. It means the new iPad OS will support a mouse.

This improvement will help people who would like to use an iPad Pro as if it is a note PC. Their desire is reasonable. But I am doubtful if iPad should be like a PC.

In summery, the new iPad Pro is not fascinating for me so much because no innovative change has been done compared with precious models. If you have no iPad Pro, the newest one will match your curiosity.

Gamebook authoring

Recently, my hobby is to write a gamebook.

Do you know gamebook? Gamebook is also called interactive novel. It was a genre of novel. But different from other type of novels, you can choose your own story in a gamebook.

Gamebook was spread in 1980s. Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone were legendary gamebook authors. They built a mega-hit series of gamebooks.

But, as computer games become popular, the need for gamebooks got diminished. Till the end of 20th century, gamebook providers are almost perished, unfortunately.

Recently, we can write a gamebook with some useful tools. Also, Kindle Direct Publishing, as well as E-Pub format and also PDF style, helps both reader to read the gamebook easier and authors to publish their works. Therefore, newly developed gamebooks are published one after another.

I have published some gamebooks via KDP. You have a chance to see an English gamebook written by me.

Facebook changes itself from a hall to a room

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, announced his latest idea. He intends to change the core feature of Facebook and relevant services dramatically.

The Washington Post: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg says he’ll reorient the company toward encryption and privacy

According to him, Facebook will invest more to privacy and encryption. Users will store their personal information and activity more secure, to broadcast to limited people he or she truly trusts. It looks Facebook will become a living room from a city hall.

Nowadays, Facebook is connected with several leading apps such as Messenger and Instagram. These apps require absolute security level for daily use, different from Facebook itself which is basically open to the whole world. Considering the fact that Facebook provides those apps, prioritizing security is rational at a glance.

However, this direction is opposite to Mark Zuckerberg’s ideology, I believe. His goal is to make everything clear. Secure communication with limited number of people is not his favor.

In recent years, Facebook has been blamed on its fragile security and loose privacy policy. As a gigantic company, keep users’ data secure is essential. But Zuckerberg may be indifferent to this issue. If is possible that he departs from Facebook in the near future, I guess.

Annoying SPSS

SPSS is a leading software of statistical analysis provided by IBM. Most researchers use SPSS for examining the data they gained. It is almost essential for scientists to utilize SPSS.

However, SPSS has some disadvantages. First, SPSS is very costly. It takes over 1,000 USD even for minimal use.

Second, SPSS is very hard to use. The interface of SPSS is not sophisticated. Its quality is far inferior to Microsoft Excel.

And third, SPSS has several bugs. Statisticians say they do not recommend us to use SPSS because of many bugs. When I heard it for the first time, I imagined that there were merely technical issues around the calculation. But actually, there are many apparent and critical bugs in SPSS. For example, when copying the data of Microsoft Excel to SPSS spreadsheet, a line of datasheet disappeared. I had to check hundreds of lines of the data manually.

After all, I consider abandoning SPSS. It is critical for me if the bug led to an incorrect conclusion of my research.

New Galaxy will equip Bitcoin wallet

Samsung is planning to introduce apps to manage Bitcoin in its new products.

According to the media, Samsung's Galaxy S10 will be released in coming March. There will be three models, Galaxy S10, S10+ with a larger screen, and S10e as an entry model. These smartphones will equip a new identification system using supersonic. As soon as you touch the screen, your fingerprint will be scanned to check your identity.

Also, cryptocurrency wallets will be installed in these smartphones. You can store Bitcoin, Etherium, and a couple of other crypto coins in the device.

Coin Telegraph: Samsung Announces Galaxy S10 Crypto Partners, Bitcoin and Ethereum Support

To be honest, I could not understand whether the new Galaxy S10 would be utilized as a hard wallet or not, through reading this article below. Considering that soft wallets are available in most smartphones without any additional mechanical chips, the new Galaxy will equip some exclusive chips in it.

Smartphone and cryptocurrency are very synergetic with each other. On the other hand, Samsung will be responsible for keeping the consumer's crypto coins secure. If someone breaches the security of Galaxy, to steal the coins, Samsung will certainly be sued by the user.

I bought Galaxy S9 just recently. I knew the new models would be released soon. Therefore, I got S9 at a low cost. I would not purchase the Galaxy S10.