The Comunicano for Monday October 7th 2024

It's Monday and There's News

Well, well, well, welcome to the absurdly entertaining world of global tech chaos and geopolitical shenanigans! Grab your popcorn because today’s episode of “The Comunicano” is more like “Who’s Got the Last Laugh.” Let’s start with—what else?—a Chinese hacking doneybrook. In a plot twist that feels straight out of a low-budget spy flick, China allegedly decided to gatecrash the digital backdoors of AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. The real kicker? They might’ve stumbled upon the U.S. government's wiretapping system. I mean, why not hack into the system that spies on everyone else, right? NSA’s General Haugh is tight-lipped, but let’s face it—the damage is already done. Of course, none of the telecoms are talking. Silence is golden, or in this case, utterly suspicious…..Speaking of being lost, GPS jamming is the new fashion in warfare. Israel, Hezbollah, Russia, and Ukraine are all in on it. Thousands of flights are navigating through a GPS twilight zone, where planes don’t exactly fall out of the sky, but they might as well. Think of it like playing Marco Polo at 30,000 feet—except no one’s yelling "Polo." Just what we needed as we head into the cozy, clear skies of winter.

Meanwhile, over in the land of AI, AWS CEO Matt Garman is busy making sure his cloud kingdom doesn’t blow away in the wind of generative AI hype. They’re doubling down on innovation, shutting down their not-so-popular side projects, and throwing their hats into the open-source ring. You know, classic Amazon. But hey, as long as Bedrock makes AI affordable, who’s complaining?

Now, if you’ve ever wanted to read someone’s mind (or at least their speech) without losing eye contact, Even Realities G1 glasses are here for you. At $599, these bad boys translate languages and display text mid-air while you stare intently at the speaker, giving you the look of someone deeply, perhaps too deeply, engrossed in conversation. Just don’t mind the awkward, sluggish AI assistant fumbling to catch up.

And here’s one for the digital procrastinators: Google’s NotebookLM lets you turn your boring documents into engaging podcasts, hosted by—you guessed it—AI. You’ll learn all about that 50-page legal brief, but don’t expect to get the full picture. AI may know how to read, but think? That’s another matter.

In other news, Substack is evolving, the Brits are reinventing free TV, and NASA’s prepping for retirement (of the ISS, not their space dreams). Oh, and don’t forget those sports robots—they’re coming for the refs, but not the spirit of the game… yet. All that and more is in today’s COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

Hacking Watch

Another From Column B—NSA Director Gen. Timothy Haugh confirmed that an investigation is underway into a Chinese hack targeting three major U.S. telecom companies—AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. The breach may have compromised systems used for federal court-approved eavesdropping. Haugh emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages, and it’s too soon to discuss specifics. The Wall Street Journal initially reported the hack, raising concerns about a potential serious security breach if China accessed the wiretapping system. None of the telecom companies provided comments.

You’re Not There—GPS jamming caused by electronic countermeasures in conflicts involving Israel, Hezbollah, and the Russia-Ukraine war is disrupting airline navigation systems. Pilots report interference with their GPS systems on around 1,000 flights daily near these regions, with effects lingering even after planes leave the areas. This "spoofing" technique, meant to confuse enemy attacks, is affecting air travel safety, increasing risks over time. Experts warn that, while planes won't fall from the sky, the disruptions could undermine safety margins, especially as winter approaches.

AI Watch

Changes at AWS—AWS CEO Matt Garman emphasized the importance of re-engaging with startups, driving innovation, and staying competitive in generative AI. He highlighted AWS’s deliberate approach to generative AI via platforms like Bedrock, which offers flexible integration of various models. Garman also addressed AWS’s focus on affordability through custom silicon and emphasized the company’s commitment to open-source contributions. AWS continues to streamline its services by shutting down less successful offerings and focusing on those with greater customer traction. Innovation and flexibility remain at the core of AWS’s strategy under Garman’s leadership.

The Eyes Have It—The Even Realities G1 glasses stand out in a crowded field of AI-powered wearables, offering features like real-time translation and an integrated display that floats text above objects. At $599, they let users maintain eye contact while reading translated speech—a futuristic touch. Unlike Google's Glass, the G1 respects privacy by avoiding cameras and only activating with a deliberate touch. Lightweight and stylish, they offer added functions like virtual teleprompters and navigation. However, the assistant can be sluggish, and manually activating the mic is awkward. Even so, its potential is promising, with future updates planned.

Another Voice Heard From—Google’s NotebookLM is an AI tool that turns documents into summaries and podcasts, allowing users to upload texts and receive concise explanations. It can create podcasts with AI-generated hosts mimicking human conversation, offering a novel way to learn from lengthy materials like legal briefs or school assignments. However, concerns arise about accuracy, depth, and the risk of students relying on AI over critical thinking. While innovative, experts urge users to treat AI summaries as starting points, not replacements for reading the full text.

Newsletter Watch

Where The Eyes Are—Substack, initially known for newsletters, is evolving into a broader platform for creators of all types, including podcasters, influencers, and video creators. With over a million paid subscribers added in the last year, Substack is positioning itself as a flexible payment system for creators across various mediums, competing with platforms like Patreon. While its core remains news content, it is attracting influencers like food blogger Violet Witchel. However, the platform faces challenges in retaining creators due to its 10% fee and less advanced video/audio tools.

Streaming Watch

If It’s Free, It’s Me—Amazon Fire TV users in the UK will soon be able to access *Freely*, a new service from Everyone TV, backed by broadcasters such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. This service, set to launch in 2024, will allow viewers to stream live free-to-air channels via the internet without needing an aerial. Freely integrates both live and on-demand content from the major UK broadcasters, making it easier to access programs from a single platform. This move is part of the broadcasters' strategy to future-proof traditional TV in the streaming era.

Robot Watch

Hey Ref—Sports leagues are testing automated officiating systems to enhance fairness and speed up games, building on tech like instant replay. Baseball's minor leagues have tested an automated ball-strike system, while the NFL and NBA explore camera-assisted officiating and goaltending calls. While automation could reduce delays, human referees are still essential for nuanced decisions. Leagues are cautious about fully automating officiating, as players and officials express concerns about removing the human element from game dynamics and potential negative impacts on the sports.

Space Watch

Not Lost In Space—As NASA plans to retire the ISS, Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef aims to be the first commercial space station by 2030. This solar-powered “mixed-use business park” will offer accommodations for up to 10 astronauts, scientists, and tourists, featuring sleeping areas, social zones, and research labs. Its modular design allows future expansion, with highlights like hydroponic gardens, spacewalks in comfortable capsules, and Wi-Fi-enabled social areas. Orbital Reef will be a hub for advanced research, from 3D printing organs to improving electric vehicle batteries, offering a glimpse into life and business in low-Earth orbit.

Data Center Watch

Where The Power Is—Johor, Malaysia, has rapidly transformed into a major hub for AI-related data centers. Companies like ByteDance, Microsoft, and Oracle are investing billions, drawn by the region's available land, power, and proximity to Singapore's internet infrastructure. This boom is reshaping the area, with new facilities sprouting on former palm-oil plantations. Local leaders are supportive but cautious, balancing economic growth with environmental concerns like water supply. Experts predict Johor will become one of the world's largest data-center markets within five years due to its strategic advantages and accelerated development pace.

Money Watch

Pay Me Now—Consumers have faced a frustrating ordeal after fraudulent charges appeared on their PayPal accounts, highlighting the complexities of digital payment apps. With nearly 75% of U.S. consumers using services like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App, many remain unaware of the risks, such as limited insurance on stored funds. While these apps have grown as alternatives to traditional banking, regulations and user protections vary widely by state. Consumers are urged to stay diligent, as mistakes or scams can lead to significant difficulties in resolving issues.

The App Review of The Day

Cal.com

Cal.com is an open-source scheduling tool designed to streamline the process of booking meetings and appointments. It stands out from many other scheduling platforms, such as Calendly, with its flexibility, privacy, and customizability, particularly appealing to developers, teams, and privacy-conscious users. Here's an in-depth look at the key features and benefits of Cal.com:

Key Features:

1. Open-Source and Customizable:

One of the primary differentiators of Cal.com is its open-source nature. This allows businesses with technical resources to customize the platform according to their unique requirements. Whether it's integrating specific apps, creating custom workflows, or even hosting the platform on their own servers for added security and control, Cal.com offers endless possibilities for developers.

2. Seamless Integrations:

Cal.com integrates with a variety of calendar services (Google, Outlook, Apple Calendar, and more), video conferencing tools (Zoom, Google Meet, Jitsi, and others), and business apps (Hubspot, Salesforce, Stripe, PayPal, and Zapier). While it has slightly fewer pre-built integrations than competitors like Calendly, the flexibility of its API allows advanced users to build out additional connections as needed.

3. Advanced Collaboration Tools:

Cal.com is designed with team collaboration in mind. It supports features like round-robin scheduling, where bookings can be distributed evenly across team members, and routing forms, which can guide bookers to the right person based on specific criteria. Additionally, it allows teams to manage permissions and workflows, enabling automated reminders and follow-ups via email or SMS.

4. Privacy and Data Control:

Cal.com takes privacy seriously, making it a favorite for industries that need full control over their data. Users can opt to self-host their platform, ensuring sensitive information remains within their control. The platform also offers one-time, private URLs for bookings, limiting unwanted access to your booking profile.

5. Workflows and Automation:

Another standout feature is the workflow automation. Users can set up triggers and actions for different events, such as sending reminders or notifications when an event is booked, rescheduled, or canceled. These workflows can be tailored with custom content, making it easy to communicate effectively with attendees.

6. Payment and Monetization:

For professionals and businesses looking to monetize their time, Cal.com integrates seamlessly with Stripe and PayPal, allowing payments to be collected before or after a meeting. This feature is especially useful for consultants, coaches, and other service providers.

User Experience:

While Cal.com provides a powerful backend for users to manage their bookings and integrations, the guest-facing side is designed to be smooth and intuitive. Your clients and attendees are greeted with a clean, easy-to-navigate booking page that can be embedded into your website or shared via a unique link.

Pricing:

Cal.com offers several pricing tiers:

- Free: Ideal for individual users or freelancers, with unlimited bookings and basic integrations.

- Teams Plan ($15/user/month): Adds team collaboration features like round-robin scheduling and advanced workflows.

- Enterprise Plans: Designed for larger organizations needing features like white-labeling, enhanced security, and 24/7 support.

Best Use Cases:

- Tech-Savvy Users and Developers: If your organization requires customization or you have specific technical needs, Cal.com's open-source platform is ideal.

- Privacy-Focused Businesses: With self-hosting options, Cal.com allows you to retain full control over your data, making it suitable for industries like healthcare, law, and finance.

- Teams with Complex Scheduling Needs: For businesses that need features like round-robin scheduling or custom booking flows, Cal.com offers more flexibility than many other scheduling tools.

Final Thoughts:

Cal.com is a robust and flexible solution for businesses and individuals looking for more control over their scheduling processes. It may require a bit more technical know-how than competitors like Calendly, but its open-source nature and deep customization options make it a fantastic choice for those with specific needs or privacy concerns. While it doesn’t yet have a mobile app like Calendly, its web app offers a powerful and versatile experience.

For users seeking flexibility, privacy, and control, Cal.com is well worth exploring. You can start using it for free at Cal.com.