LIFE

The Internet of things (IOT) - between sense, nonsense and danger

Sven Krumrey

Many online devices, one control method

We're all familiar with the Internet (otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this blog) yet some of its users are no longer human but robot vacuum cleaners, refrigerators or window blinds. And there's even more devices connected via Bluetooth! What sounded rather futuristic 5 years ago, has become more and more of a standard among current products. The idea is that intelligent devices can better assist their human owners. As with all new developments, products range from useful to ludicrous. Here's a brief outline.

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LIFE

Carl, 73 years, vampire hunter of the Dawnguard

Sven Krumrey

Old age doesn't prevent enthusiasm - thankfully

Once you're known as computer-literate to your friends and acquaintances, inevitable questions arise, along with true confessions. Do I know how to clear the browsing history? Someone accidentally opened the wrong sites. What's the age group targeted by the dating service Tinder? Recently, I suddenly became all ears: an ex-colleague, who's been enjoying his retirement for quite some time, was looking for a potent graphics card. What he wanted it for? "I want to play Battlefield." I didn't expect that. And it got even more interesting.

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LIFE

"Great product! A definitive must buy!" - or maybe not.

Sven Krumrey

Thumbs up: all great

You know the situation: you're searching for a product and online reviews are staggering. "Wonderful device, works without a hitch, very sturdy even - I ordered another one for my kids! They were thrilled!" And so were their children's children, I guess. This and similar adulation pushed the product rating up to 4.8 out of 5 stars and now strongly motivates others to make the purchase. The system works because these are the opinions of real customers, real people like you and me. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

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LIFE

My time in the echo chamber

Sven Krumrey

True tunnel vision

Wouldn't it be great to always be right? Errors feel unpleasant and embarrassing at times, you might even be forced to reconsider your actions. Way too much stress! That burden has been lifted thanks to social networks and a wide selection of other media outlets. Even for those who believe that the earth is flat.

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LIFE

The Ashampoo blog team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a successful year 2017!

Sven Krumrey

The best time of the year

It happened (again), a colleague was late and yet had no trouble finding a parking space. My appointment calendar is getting lighter and the first emails with Christmas greetings and goodbyes from colleagues leaving for vacation are coming in. There's change in the air, barely noticeable at first but then unavoidable. Things are quieting down, colleagues are lining up in the corridors having chit chats over their Christmas plans. You no longer mindlessly pass by all the Christmas decoration but start to notice the various adornments. There's small fir branches with golden Christmas bulbs on the window sills, they must have been lying there for weeks but I just started noticing them. Suddenly, Christmas is no longer a distant date.

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