Cloud and Enterprise Architecture

Cloud and Enterprise Architecture

The definition of cloud from an enterprise architect perspective is that cloud employs enterprise architecture as a critical tool used in fitting external services into the current environments with technology. Enterprise architecture has taken a new shape in the age of cloud services. Thus, with cloud-integrated into enterprise architecture, the cloud customers can find it quite easy to understand the approach towards the advantage of the new model of business [1]. Cloud technology altogether can be perceived by an enterprises architect as an alternatively more efficient and cheaper option in a business enterprise.

Before taking any considerations into account as an enterprise architect if cloud computing needs to be implemented, it is imperative to learn the issue being dealt with in the enterprise in question. Furthermore, an enterprise architect ought to be perceived as a tool with features capable of managing information and responding to the demands in the modern day complex environments. An enterprise architect should then figure out the need for cloud in an enterprise to help determine the considerations made in support of cloud computing. One of the factors would be the cost of implementation. In fact, the price should be among the topmost considerations. The cost of implementing cloud thus ought to be compared to being the cost of its existent alternative. That is, for cloud storage, the architect can compare it with local manual storage that is accessible off-line. Another consideration that can be made is efficiency; how efficient is the new cloud technology compared to the existing technology regarding functionality. The other concern would be security. Since and enterprises do not wish to be compromised whatsoever, security is a prime consideration. Other considerations worth giving a though include cloud’s compatibility with the system already in place and the ability of the firm to adjust to it. However, the accounts can be categorized into primary and secondary for through prioritization. 

Apparently, cloud technology has more benefits than challenges in an enterprise setting. Therefore, in perceiving cloud from EA perspective, benefits as the reduced cost of storage, ease of information accessibility, and information backup are some of the benefits that can be realized. An enterprise forever strives to lower costs of production and increase amount of income. Thus, on the perspective of an EA, the cloud would reduce the costs of storage since with cloud technology in place you only pay for what you use so that you do not have a lot of storage space going to waste [2]. On the subject of accessibility, an EA would find cloud just appropriate for that business as it enables access to business information from anywhere and at any given time. One other benefit that would be noticeable is how secure the cloud platform is. The security is achieved through authentication.

However, the manner in which cloud customers use the technology expose its challenges. The challenges that can be associated with this on EA perspective security. Hence security is both a benefit of a problem when not adhered to accordingly. For instance, a staff member in a business may be working on some data in the cloud account and forget to log out hence exposing the information to security risks.

References

[1] IBM, (2012, September 25). Enterprise architecture in the age of cloud services. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/enterprise-architecture-cloud/

[2] Rhoton, J. (2009). Cloud Computing Explained. New York, NY: Recursive Press.

Facebook is listening

Facebook: I am listening 

Facebook is watching over us like big brother!

Facebook is listening on people's conversations all the time. The app is using people's phones to gather data on what people talk about. I believe this is true because I personally extracted my logs from Facebook and was surprised, the company has a record of almost all my text and phone call logs gathered over the past two years. 

At some point I could not stop to wonder how Facebook knows so much about my life. It can tell almost exactly those I hang out with, and even spot to me those I happen to be close to in my real life. A story by Shivali Best For Mail Online reveals a patent filed by Facebook which suggests that the firm wants to spy on its users through their phone or computer cameras. The creepy patent reveals that the footage collected would be used to analyse your emotions while you browse the site, tailoring material to how you're feeling. While it is unclear whether Facebook plans to implement the technology, experts are describing it as an 'ethical minefield.' The patent is called 'Techniques for emotion detection and content delivery. Altogether I have a feeling that the company is already spying on us through the webcams and that is why I always prefer to keep mine blocked. 

Facebook says that its app does listen to what’s happening around it, but only as a way of seeing what people are listening to or watching and suggesting that they post about it. So then how does it listen to whatever is going on around you without listening to you?

Well, the company is indubitably gathering the data to help improve on user experience, but the cost could be user privacy.

Why HTC Deserves More Recognition

Why HTC Deserves More Recognition

 

About HTC 

HTC brings brilliance to life through leading innovation in smart mobile device and experience design. Beginning with a vision to put a personal computer in the palm of its customers' hands, it has led the way in the evolution from palm PC to smartphone, and is now applying that same innovative approach to connected devices and virtual reality. The Pursuit of Brilliance is at the heart of everything HTC does, inspiring best-in-class design and game-changing mobile and virtual reality experiences for consumers around the world. HTC deserves more than 'Quietly Brilliant'.

My Experience with HTC

What truly is the most defining feature of HTC, is their Sense UI. Love it or hate it, it is a truly unique interface. It always comes built in on the flagship phones.

I have used HTC One M8 and this device is just awesome. I know when informing someone about the performance of a mobile phone you shouldn't involve feelings but HTC One M8 induces feelings and it's not my fault that it does, I just can't help it. Photo shoot looks stunning and its speakers are incomparable to to those of any other mobile manufacturer on earth, you can go ahead and ask the internet. HTC Boom Sound is a masterpiece. The HTC One M8 is designed to fit intimately on the palms so that it makes you feel like it's a part of you. This device is 'Loudly Brilliant'!

HTC Technologies

Based in MIT Technology Review, HTC was the first company to build phones based on Google's Android mobile operating system, and its current generation of Android smart phones is able to compete with Apple's iPhone on features and price. In 2010, the company introduced the EVO, the world's first phone to take advantage of 4G network technology for lightning-fast Web browsing and new applications like live video chat. Furthermore, HTC recently unveiled its first tablet computer, an Android-based device; it’s one of the few that allow users to take handwritten notes with a stylus.

Beyond the Odds

For the past several years, HTC has been known for three things: Killer hardware, terrible advertising and plummeting sales. According to Brad Reed, despite being a financial mess over the past year, HTC has produced what has been widely acclaimed as the best piece of virtual reality hardware on the market. It’s pulled this off despite the fact that its main rivals in this market are Samsung and Sony, two companies that respectively have a lot more resources and more experience in the gaming industry. Yes, it had help from the team at Valve but this indicates that HTC can still make first-rate hardware even though its financial situation has been a disaster.

HTC Ranking 

This year the new HTC smartphone, HTC U11, ranks better than iPhone and Google Pixel for its camera. DxOMark that has a regularly updated ranking for mobile cameras which is considered to be one of the most objective in the market tested HTC's new flagship smartphone. As a result, HTC U11 showed better performance than iPhone 7 and Google Pixel, which used to rank first before.

Altogether, HTC should be at top. Some People hate HTC because they just can't afford it. HTC offers the best hardware and the best UI than any other mobile.

Artificial Intelligence and the Human Power

Artificial Intelligence and the Human Power

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a type of intelligence displayed by software and machines. This is one field with long history yet it is still growing and changing as time goes by. This is because it gets propagated by scientific inventions and innovations through the human faculty of curiosity and intelligence. Now the question is whether the very collective intelligence induces into machinery, robotics and software will one day grow beyond human control. This study primly purposes on finding out whether artificial intelligence will overthrow the human power.

Rubin (2003) stipulates that “The cutting edge of modern science and technology has moved, in its aim, beyond the relief of man’s estate to the elimination of human beings.” Rubin (2003) takes us through the new post-biological life in which intelligence exists without bodies. Think of an identity attached to immortality devoid of limitations of disease, creatures of unfulfilled desire. Indubitably, this is not just an implication of a looming extinction of the human race but rather an affirmation of real human downfall. Perhaps artificial intelligence is an aggregate of extreme human intelligence that can barely be tamed if matters get out of hand. Human intelligence could therefore reduce the human power to nothing.

Rubin (2003) goes ahead to talk about the temptations of artificial life. In this case he explores the human thinking on the perspective that the world would be a better place without humans ruling over it. These temptations strive to reveal the reasons behind replacement of humans with machines. What breeds temptations as such amongst we humans is that we are ever troubled by our limits imperfections and death. It is at this point that we begin imagining how the world would be like supposing intelligence can offer us something better. Along this line of thinking, we can say that artificial intelligence will take over the human power when they are sank into oblivion.

What if a robotic is equipped with the intelligence and ability of creating its own kind? This is exactly where technology is heading to; computers and robots with developed conscious, personified minds and intelligence (Kasparov, 2005). Kasparov predicts of the implantation of devises and systems into humans. This is to imply not just full domination of artificial intelligence will prevail in the near future but also intelligence amplification. In the environment there shall be information technology, animation as well as communicativeness. Kasparov acknowledges artificial intelligence with the dawn of a new era. The idea of artificial intelligence will cut down the value of life to a great extent as a time will come when man has nothing more to do.

Based on the above discussion it is clear that the human power gets most vulnerable with advancement in technology. However this might be quite unnoticeable as it comes with a thrilling effect. Kasparov in his discussion reveal that the human population is growing at a rate of two percent in a year while robot population grows at a higher rate of 30 percent per year. This is an absolute implication that indeed artificial intelligence will at some point in the future overthrow human power.

References

Kasparov, G. (2005). Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence., Retrieved from http://www.centerforfutureconsciousness.com/pdf_files/readings/readinginfotech.pdf

Rubin, C. T. (2003, Spring). Artificial Intelligence and Human Nature. Retrieved from http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/artificial -intelligence-and-human-n

The Bloom Box Technology

The Bloom Box Technology 

A technology that has attracted attention of some of the great companies like Google, Walmart and eBay is surely no joke. Think about how laptops greatly replaced desktops and how cell phones replaced landlines that is the same way the Bloom box would replace the transmission line grid and big power plants. With the wireless power plant-in-a-box in your backyard you will be able to generate your own electricity. The technology behind the Bloom box lies within a solid oxide fuel cell and with the Bloom Energy Server, there would be production of clean, reliable and affordable energy (Bloom Energy, 2014). According to me, I think the functionality idea behind this tech is realistic, it is a revolutionary innovation that is seriously built upon will surely change the world or at least make the world a better place. This justified as follows:

The Bloom box technology has been positively peer-reviewed by great minds in technology investment industry (Mapawatt, 2010). This raises optimism. It is also been funded by great corporations and the fact that not much has been talked about the Bloom box in the past five years is pretty interesting. Many people think that the tech is dying out by I believe they will be surprised one day when updated on its progress. 

The Bloom box tech has the power to change the world because it has the potential to generate renewable power (Lada, 2013). Any source of energy that is renewable eliminates the threat of energy exhaustion and that is what the future world needs to live upon, an endless supply of energy. This is achievable due to the presence of the Bloom fuel cell which is a constantly working battery. Furthermore, the requirements for the Bloom fuel cell to function can be found now and even in the future (Behling, 2012). They include; fuel such as solar, carbon dioxide, water, heat and oxygen. 

Bertolucci (1998-2015) refers to the Bloom box as "A power generator that saves money and the environment." This is exactly what everyone would hope for in tomorrow's world. The Bloom Energy Sever has proven to have the potential to eliminate dependency on the power grid, this would greatly help cut down the power costs and make life affordable to almost everyone. As we learnt earlier, the raw materials required to generate the energy are not harmful to the environment or at least have mild effects (talking of the materials used in the Bloom fuel cell). There would be a great reduction in carbon footprints (Lada, 2013). Other factors that give the Bloom box tech the ability to change the world in the future are high electrical efficiency, low cost of materials and fuel flexibility (Bloom Energy, 2014). 

So far different tests have proven that this new technological innovation really works (Zyga, 2010). 20 well-known companies including Google, Walmart and eBay are now trying it out and have approved of its worthiness. However, it is still imperative to accept the facts behind this technology. That is it consumes fuel and produces carbon dioxide, but since it promises more benefits, it is still worth consideration. It is an environmental friendly method of energy production after all and that alone is enough to change the world. All in all, the Bloom box tech holds a better future altogether.

References

Behling, H.N. (2012), Fuel Cells: Current Technology Challenges and Future Research Needs. Boston: Newnwess

Bertolucci, J. (1998-2015), 10 Questions about the Bloom Energy Server. PCWorld, Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/190203/10_questions_about_the_Bloom_Energy_Server.html

Bloom Energy, (2014), What is an Energy Server? Bloomenergy, Retrieved from http://www.bloomenergy.com/fuel-cell/energy-server/

Lada, A. (October, 2013), The Bloom Box: Does it have the Power to Change the World? Ecohealth, Retrieved from http://ecohearth.com/eco-zine/science-and-technology/1323-the-bloom-box-does-it-have-the-power-to-change-the-world.html

Mapawatt (2010), What is the Bloom Box? Does it Work? Bloom Energy Could Change the World. Retrieved from http://mapawatt.com/2010/02/20/what-bloom-box-does-it-work-bloom-energy-could-change-world

Zyga, L. (February, 2010), Will Bloom Box Replace Power Grid? Details on Wednesday (w/ Video). Phys, Retrieved from http://phys.org/news/2010-02-bloom-power-grid-wednesday-video.html

Things you did not know about Android Operating System

Things you did not know about Android Operating System

An android is supposed to be a robot, right? Well, Android is the most commonly used operating system in the smart phone industry. Many of us think that the Android OS embedded in their cellular devices has everything to do with their phone manufacturing companies. Well, the companies such as HTC and Sony have a hand in the interface design but the android kernel is a Linux kernel which is in fact an open source product. Now, when you hear about Google and Android what comes into your mind? Just because Google owns Android does not mean that it is the architect of the OS. And if you thought that Google was the founder of Android then you must be mistaken; the operating system was founded by Nick Sears, Andy Rubin, Chris White, and Rich Miner under Android Inc. Therefore, any other company may come up in the future and claim it ownership as well. Furthermore, Google has release the latest version of the OS (Android 6.0) known as Marshmallow. 

Did you know that the Android OS was initially developed strictly for digital cameras? Do not be surprised, the OS was once a platform for digital cameras. Later on after Google saw a potential in it, its focus was changed to smart phones and people really embraced it due to its impeccable user interface and ease of accessibility. This then brings us to the very first mobile phone that hosted the OS. HTC Dream, that's it, that was the first Android smart phone. The Linux-based OS was courtesy of Google. 

Now why don't we find out what the Android OS is capable of doing? Android can help you access Google Maps in areas with poor cell coverage. This is how: pull your area of choice and type "Ok Maps" in search box. The entire map of the area will be downloaded and stored in your phone so that you will only have to open and take a look at it once you get to the area of choice. Another one of the most interesting abilities of Android OS is KDE connect. If you are a Linux user interested in the KDE desktop environment like that is Kubuntu system then this is the thing for you. KDE connect enables you to share data and information between your Android smartphone and your computer. All you have to do is create a shared network and experience the magic. Most interestingly, you can use the smartphone as the PC remote controller.

Last Modified November 25, 2015