Gadgets & Gizmo’s – SACRATOMATOVILLE POST

The Global Chip Shortage is Starting to have Major Real World Consequences

Sam Shead/CNBC As technology has advanced, semiconductor chips have spread from computers and cars to toothbrushes and tumble dryers — they now lurk beneath the hood of a surprising number of products. But demand for chips is continuing to outstrip supply, and car makers are no longer the only companies feeling the pinch. Many companiesContinue reading “The Global Chip Shortage is Starting to have Major Real World Consequences”

Hey Siri—Why Don’t You Understand More People Like Me?

Digital assistants aren’t listening to people who don’t sound like white Americans By: Sinduja Rangarajan/Mother Jones Every evening last summer, after I’d shut down my work laptop, my 3-year-old daughter and I would approach our Google Home smart speaker and yell, “Hey Google, can you play “Aankh Marey” from the movie Simmba?” We’d hold our breaths and wait forContinue reading “Hey Siri—Why Don’t You Understand More People Like Me?”

Robot Cafe in Dubai

Nothing says social distancing quite like Dubai’s RoboCafe, where robots have replaced their human overlords. Customers can place their orders with German-made robots, who then prepare and deliver it straight to their tables. “It’s a good idea, especially right now,” said Emirati customer Jamal Ali Hassan, whose piping hot beverage was delivered with no spills.Continue reading “Robot Cafe in Dubai”

Invasion of Privacy

In 2020, it’s true: Anyone can know everything about you From: Marie Clare All around you, snoops are compiling every fact about you: Your name—child’s play. Your occupation—just as easy. Where you live, yes, but also if you tend to spend nights at your we’re-not-defining-it’s place. What you buy, who you’ll likely vote for inContinue reading “Invasion of Privacy”

My I-Robot Tried to Escape

For years I’d wanted one, but they were $500-$600. A Robot to make my life easier. Yesss I imagined a world where I would return from work and all the floors would be vacuumed. The commercials were so appealing, as were the you tube videos. I even considered getting a cat so he could goContinue reading “My I-Robot Tried to Escape”

Loneliness Is Fatal. Video Games Can Keep Men Alive

Guys say their gaming friendships are as “real” as any IRL bonds. By: Sean O’Neal /Mens Health MEN ARE LONELY, or so we’ve heard. Not from our friends—that would require actually sharing our feelings, which we’re not great at—but from an endless cascade of think pieces and scientific studies sounding the alarm on the growing crisis of male loneliness.Continue reading “Loneliness Is Fatal. Video Games Can Keep Men Alive”

This Is What It’s Like To Not Own A Smartphone

Photo:Google BY:Kathleen Davis/Fast Company I’ve never owned a smartphone. In 2014, I wrote about having no regrets for being a “dumb phone” user. At the time I was an anomaly: 58 percent of Americans, according to Pew researchers, owned a smartphone; that figure was around 80 percent for people in my age demographic. Now,Continue reading “This Is What It’s Like To Not Own A Smartphone”

Midnight in Chowchilla or How not to drive an Electric Car

I want to thank to good people of Tulare and Visalia, California, who generously offered to help me in an emergency. I use Gig car share in Sacramento and their fleet of Electric Chevrolet Bolts. While I have driven quite a few electric vehicles (EV) I wanted to know what its like living with one.Continue reading “Midnight in Chowchilla or How not to drive an Electric Car”

Grand Parents Saving your World

With Technology in hyper warp speed. The time saving apps you downloaded yesterday could be obsolete at the end of the month. A generation has abandoned print, landline phones and conventional PC’S. When the Loma Prieta quake stuck The San Francisco Bay Area in 1989. Thousands weren’t able to communicate with others due to fallenContinue reading “Grand Parents Saving your World”