Today Netflix are changing the way you can tell us which stories you love, and which ones you’re just not that into.
Netflix are retiring their five-star rating system and replacing it with a simpler and more intuitive thumbs-up and thumbs-down. A thumbs-up tells Netflix that you like something and want to see similar suggestions. A thumbs-down lets them know you aren’t interested in watching that title and should stop suggesting it to you. You can still search for it, but they heard what you were trying to tell them — you aren’t a fan — and it will no longer show up on your homepage.
Netflix says….
The star rating you see next to each title is being replaced with a personalized % Match score. This score is a prediction of what Netflix thinks you may enjoy watching, based on your own unique tastes. The % Match is based solely on our algorithms analyzing your individual viewing habits and behavior — it is not a measure of overall popularity across the service.
Netflix has had star ratings for much of our history, but we’ve learned through over a year of testing that while we’ve used stars to help you personalize your suggestions, many of our members are confused about what they do.
That’s because we’ve all gotten used to star ratings on e-commerce and review apps, where rating contributes to an overall average, and the star rating shown next to a restaurant or a pair of shoes is an average of all the reviewers. On those apps, being a reviewer can be fun and helpful to others, but the primary goal isn’t always to help you get better suggestions.
In contrast, when people see thumbs, they know that they are used to teach the system about their tastes with the goal of finding more great content. That’s why when we tested replacing stars with thumbs we saw an astounding 200% increase in ratings activity.
For members who have provided star ratings in the past, we will continue to use that information to suggest great content.
Did you know that phishing scams are the leading cause of cybercrime?
A report by tech security company PhishMe last year found a staggering 91 per cent of all cyberattacks in 2016 were triggered by a phishing email.
And the number of these bogus email attacks aimed at duping recipients into divulging personal or confidential information such as passwords or bank account details is rising at an alarming rate.
To combat this growing concern, tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Salesforce have introduced a new security device to their employees – and now it is available to billions of their users.
Introducing Yubico’s YubiKey
The YubiKey security key by Yubico eradicates the dangers of phishing attacks by adding an extra layer of login security to a range of leading websites such as Google, Facebook, YouTube, Dropbox, Salesforce and many more.
By employing two-factor authentication (2FA), the hack-proof USB stick works by requiring users to activate it after inputting a username and password to gain access to personal accounts. Without a password AND a YubiKey, access is denied, preventing anyone who does not have both from logging in.
Unlike two-step verification, which involves sending a temporary login code to a user’s mobile phone via text, the waterproof YubiKey, which is already used in 160 countries, removes the need for transmissions that can easily be intercepted by tech-savvy cybercriminals.
Having been adopted by staff at multinational corporations such as Facebook and Google, the compact YubiKey, which weighs just 3g and offers options for both computer system and smartphone protection, is now available to UK consumers from just £17.50.
Netflix is Looking for the Best Translators Around the Globe
Netflix are pleased to introduceHERMES, the first online subtitling and translation test and indexing system by a major content creator.
Since Netflix launched globally, the scale of our localization efforts has increased dramatically. It’s hard to believe that just 5 years ago, we only supported English, Spanish and Portuguese. Now we’ve surpassed 20 languages – including languages like Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Polish – and that number continues to grow.
Our desire to delight members in “their” language, while staying true to creative intent and being mindful of cultural nuances is important to ensure quality. It’s also fueling a need to rapidly add great talent who can help provide top-notch translations for our global members across all of these languages.
Since netflix have unveiled their new HERMES tool two weeks ago, thousands of candidates around the world have already completed the test, covering all represented languages. This is incredible to us because of the impact it will ultimately have on our members as we focus on continually improving the quality of the subtitles on the service.
We’re quickly approaching an inflection point where English won’t be the primary viewing experience on Netflix, and HERMES allows us to better vet the individuals doing this very important work so members can enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies in their language.
What would you do if the hard drive inside your computer crashed and you lost all of your precious data? Your spreadsheets, documents, photos, personal information, emails, videos and more? What would you do if you lost your unencrypted USB flash drive or hard drive, would your whole world come tumbling down knowing that someone out there holds all that precious information – and how much would you be prepared to risk if it was your company and it was your customer’s details? Would you be able to pay a fine to the ICO of up to £500,000?
“Encryption isn’t just for the tech-savvy. Personal data such as financial documents, passwords and family photographs and videos are precious and as consumers, we should all be as aware as businesses when it comes to keeping data safe. Mark World BackUp Day by backing up and protecting your precious and confidential data as disasters such as hard drive crashes as well as loss and theft of USB drives does happen and can lead to serious consequences..” Says John Michael, CEO, iStorage Limited
These are nightmare scenarios that we all do not want to face and with 2016 labelled as ‘the year of the data hack’ from TopTechNews, The Guardian, IT Security News and more, iStorage Limited, manufacturers of PIN authenticated hardware encrypted portable data storage drives, shares tips on how to avoid such disasters, just in time for World BackUp Day on 31st March!
Tip 1: Back Up Your Data: In a modern world where users rely heavily on their personal items being stored on mobile phones, laptops and computers, there’s never been more importance placed on backing up! World BackUp Day reminds users to keep additional copies of the information that you don’t want to lose whether it’s your own personal information or company data that you are working with. Backing up your data gives you peace of mind that you won’t have lost the only copy of your data.
Tip 2: Use a Secure Drive:
We’ve all heard the stories of people commuting and working on their laptops, and losing the USB drive that they were working on. Risking the loss of personal or company information, enduring panic and endless nights worrying where that information could end up, can all be prevented by taking precautions by using a secure drive like the iStoragedatAshur® PRO USB 3.0 flash drive. This PIN authenticated hardware encrypted flash drive is only accessible by a 7-15 digit alphanumeric PIN meaning that if the flash drive happened to be lost or stolen, data or information would not be accessible unless the correct PIN was entered.
Tip 3: Avoid common passwords:
A recent Reader’s Digest article identified the most common passwords of 2016 being ‘123456’, ‘qwerty’, ‘111111’ and ‘password’. Prevent yourself from being an ‘easy target’ for fraudsters by helping yourself and creating personal and memorable passwords. Another word of advice is to create a series of passwords so that you do not have a ‘one password fits all’ scenario – make it harder or near impossible for someone to hack you and don’t give easy access to other accounts by using the same password across several sites!
Tip 4: Seek additional security features:
What do you look for when seeking a secure flash drive? Do your research and look at what additional security features are available. At a time when data security is extremely high on the agenda for all businesses due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becoming law throughout all EU countries in May 2018, users can rest assured that all data stored on iStorage portable data storage drives are encrypted to military grade standards. Meaning if the device is lost or stolen, and an unauthorised user attempts to use it, the storage device remains in lockdown, with a Brute Force Self Destruct Feature being deployed after 10 unsuccessful consecutive attempts of entering the PIN.
Tip 5: Make life easier with cross platform compatibility
Unlike software based encrypted hard drives, where the password is entered via a keyboard, iStorage products are completely platform independent, working across all operating systems including Windows, MAC OS, Linux, Thin Clients, Embedded Systems and medical equipment without the need for any drivers or software, making them adaptable for all industries.
So if there’s one thing to take away from ‘2016’s Year of the Data Hack’ stories, it’s to backup and protect your data to a trusted, secure and easy to use portable data storage device and iStorage offers the perfect solutions.
To celebrate World BackUp Day, and to encourage users to protect their data and back up regularly, iStorage is offering their diskAshur DT – an OS and Platform independent USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive featuring XTS-AES 256-bit Hardware Encryption (no software required) + free nero BackItUp software (worth £39.99).
iStorage diskAshur DT is available from 1TB – 8TB with prices starting at £179.99 for 1TB – £479.99 for an 8TB. To take advantage of the offer or find out more information, please see: www.istorageuk.com/product/diskashur-dt
For more information on the award-winning iStorage range or to find out how to protect yours or your organisation’s confidential data in preparation for World BackUp Day or GDPR, please visit www.istorage-uk.com
A couple of weeks back we heard the rumor that Samsung was going to sell again the Note7 devices they had returned due defective hardware.
The Korean giant itself said that was not true soon afterwards, but we received an official press release saying otherwise.
Apparently the deal consist on different scenarios where you could actually get a Note7 as a refurbished unit or even “rent” one where available.
Devices that cannot be given back to customers, will be recycle in an environmental way and the elements that can’t go for that process will be used for test samples.
Yet its still to be seen where they’re going to be available and what exactly they meant by “rent” a device.
Samsung share no information regarding prices or markets that could find the devices in store. But as soon as we have more information we will let you now if you would be actually able to get one.
But if it’s possible, would you get yourself a Note7 again? Would you go for the upcoming S8 or wait for Note8?
Let us know below in the comments or join us over Twitter
Own either laptop,PC or iPad you could be forced to pay the annual fee of €160. Where did they get that 11 inches from?
Yes I said “FORCED” which to begin with should not be an option regardless. Already this week we heard Dee Forbes speaking on radio telling us that we just pay 40c a day and its great value well the sentiment was read completely different on social media after comments made by the new chief in Montrose, Yet this again is another move to generate more revenue as reported by the Independent this morning… RTE are strapped for cash
There is already much speak about paying the annual licence fee as it is and if it is actually value for money and also mentioned on the Sean O Rourke show was the broadcasting charge which Dee Forbes said herself was MOOTED…Having said that she did say she did request a hike which would see us pay double the price but that was quickly toned later on that morning..
The Broadcasting Act 2009 does have a wide take on what is actually a TV set but portable sets such as tablets does not fall under this act and here is where the change is about to happen,but have they clearly thought this out? As is the is plenty of licence fee evaders but how will they actually police this given the current status is anything over 11 inches will be forced to foot the bill…
Most people today would have tablets from 7 -10 inch for arguments sake and these are capable of streaming and not only that we all own mobile phones ranging from 4 inch to 6 inches in size today but there is bigger out there pushing tablet size or phablets as they are better known… We now access more content than before via our portable devices which I myself do and carry on my person all the time, Is the inspector going to frisk me in the coming months? I think not… but items billed for the fee can be easily concealed and again proving who owns it… As it stands anything over 11 inches will have to foot the bill but down the road you can see where this is going…
6050mAh Ulefone Power 2 With 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage This is quite a battery just to begin with…
Ulefone Power 2 has the same battery capacity of 6050mAh as the Power 1, And thanks to a better output control chipset, the latest Sony li-polymer battery will last a user for 4 days, given the stronger – thus more energy consuming – CPU. And the battery can be filled up in about 2 hours by a 9V/2A PE2.0 fast charger.
Upgrade is also seen in the major specs on Ulefone Power 2. Besides1.5GHz clock speed, the MTK6750T octa-core chipset will have the CAT6 baseband which supports 50/300Mbps 4G speed. There will also be 4GB big RAM, 64GB huge storage, and 5.5-inch FHD display. For photography, the Power 2 will be equipped with 16MP and 13MP cameras (interpolated) on rear and front sides, respectively. Besides, users of Power 2 will be able to use the front-facing fingerprint scanner and gyro sensor.
Design-wise, the Power 2 has been packed in a metal body with premium matte finish as well was wide curved chamfers for better grip. And there will be 3 colours to choose, black, golden, and grey. The pre-sale will be kicked off on March 29 and now, you can subscribe Ulefone’s email for the voucher to get a USD40 gift package that with come with the device.
Kodi, the open source media player that’s taking the world by storm. It’s been only 3 years since Kodi upped its game but its popularity seems to be multiplying on a day-to-day basis. If you’re new to the glittering world of Kodi and want to know more about what makes this media player a cut above the rest then this is the post you wouldn’t want to miss for the world.
What Is Kodi?
Kodi is one of the most famous and open source media center offering a rich collection of repositories and third party add-ons for livestreaming sports events, movies, TV shows and more.
Due to the popularity, there are people who tend to stream copyrighted content on Kodi device. But XBMC Foundation, the owner of Kodi project, doesn’t encourage people to indulge in violation of copyright laws.
Why Is Kodi So Popular?
Kodi is a popular media center, because it’s free and open source software, available for online streaming lovers. With its popularity increasing with each passing day, the number of Kodi users is also showing a tremendous increase. With easy-to-use repositories and one-click add-on installation process, Kodi is having a bright future ahead.
What Is Kodi Compatibility With?
When it comes to compatibility, Kodi is super compatible with all the major platforms and smart devices. Yes, it works fittingly well with any device or platform you intend to use, including Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, Raspberry Pi, We Tek Play, Chromebox, CompuLab Utilite, Intel NUC, ODROID, Razor Forge TV etc. Kodi’s flexibility and compatibility makes it a popular choice for all and sundry. That’s an incredible range of devices for Kodi!
What’s The Legality Status Of Kodi Today?
Using Kodi is not illegal at all. There are many third party add-ons available for Kodi users, which are deemed illegal in relation to the violation of international copyright law. Most of the users tend to use these add-ons to stream their favorite programs on Kodi.
XBMC Foundation – the organization behind Kodi – does not support any illegal streaming service and has advised the Kodi users not to indulge in any copyright violations.
EPL And Court Order Step In The Ring
A recent court order that allows EPL to track illegal streaming of soccer matches on Kodi boxes has triggered a furore amongst the Kodi lovers. This is first such instance of court order issued for preventing illegal streaming of EPL matches on Kodi / IPTV Boxes.
According to BBC News, “For the first time this will enable the Premier League to disrupt and prevent the illegal streaming of our matches via IPTV, so-called Kodi, boxes,” said a representative of EPL body.
Up till now there is no major impact of court order. Only a few of individual illegal streaming videos of EPL have been targeted and taken down. The spokesman wants a swift action against illegal streams in a “precise manner.” Let’s see what happens. We can only wait and watch.
Are People Stuck? Or Is There A Workaround?
Kodi enjoys a remarkable position in the international market. Many people will still want to use the open source software and livestream their favorite programs any way. Despite the legal hurdles, the number of Kodi users has seen a tremendous increase. And that’s the real testimony to Kodi’s popularity.
If you are one of the Kodi geeks who want to live stream programs right from their homes, it’s better to use a fast, reliable and affordable Kodi VPN, as a perfect solution. It will provide you with ultimate buffer-free streaming experience without any hiccups like never before.
About Brad Haddin…
Brad Haddin is an avid tech blogger who loves to research and write about the various technological trends and innovations. I am a regular contributor on other sites also and have had my work published over places like Creately, YFS Magazine, Geek Time and Grand Apps.
Brad has been working in the IT industry for the past 7 years. Currently works for a US-based Online Security Firm, and blogs in his spare time.
Artificial Intelligence to Have Dramatic Impact on Business by 2020, According to Tata Consultancy Services Global Trend Study
Majority of Companies see AI as Essential to Competitiveness, Consider it Transformative and View the Technology as Important or Highly Important to Remaining Competitive in 2020
68% of Companies use AI for IT Functions, but 70% Believe AI’s Greatest Impact by 2020 Will be in Functions Outside of IT such as Marketing, Customer Service, Finance, and HR
Companies with the Greatest Financial Improvements from AI Investments Expect Three Times as Many New AI-Related Roles by 2020 as Compared to Companies With Smallest Improvements
Tata Consultancy Services a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, today unveiled its Global Trend Study titled, “Getting Smarter by the Day: How AI is Elevating the Performance of Global Companies.” Focused on the current and future impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the study polled 835 executives across 13 global industry sectors in four regions of the world, finding that 84% of companies see the use of AI as “essential” to competitiveness, with a further 50% seeing the technology as “transformative.”
Widespread AI adoption expected across job functions
Exploring the views and actions of decision makers from global companies with average revenues of $20 billion, the study revealed AI is spreading across almost all areas of a company. The biggest adopters of AI today are, not surprisingly, IT departments, with two-thirds (67%) of survey respondents using AI to detect security intrusions, user issues and deliver automation. However, by 2020, almost a third (32%) of companies believe AI’s greatest impact will be in sales, marketing or customer service, while one in five (20%) see AI’s impact being largest in non-customer facing corporate functions, including finance, strategic planning, corporate development, and HR.
Companies participated from a range of industries, including automotive, banking and financial services, energy, healthcare, life sciences, industrial manufacturing, and retail. This cross-sector level of insight highlighted AI’s workplace impact as an important supplemental force for the next few years. Examples include guiding customer service representatives to more quickly resolve customer problems and anticipate future purchases, quickly and securely reconciling mass overnight transactions for financial institutions, or giving time back to HR professionals by managing the time consuming on-boarding processes for new hires.
As for the ongoing debate regarding AI’s impact on jobs, business executives in the study estimated net reductions in each function by 2020 of between 4% and 7%. However, companies with the biggest revenue and cost improvements from AI see the need for at least three times as many new jobs in each function by 2020 because of AI, as compared to companies with the smallest AI-related revenue and cost improvements. AI is already being used to automate certain processes and drive efficiencies, help employees be more productive and devote more time to more strategic business needs, and create new work and services that were not possible in the past.
“As companies begin to gain a better understanding of AI’s application for business, they will realize the significant impact of this transformative force. This is reflected in our Global Trend Study, which shows that forward-thinking companies are beginning to make major AI investments,” said K Ananth Krishnan, Chief Technology Officer of TCS. “Given the increasing digital disruption across every industry and the public sector, AI should become a key and integrated component of an organization’s strategy.”
AI investments and returns rising; North America and Europe lead the charge
As AI becomes a mainstream technology, financial investments in AI are set to rise, as 7% of companies each earmarked at least $250 million toward AI in 2016 and 2% already plan to invest more than $1 billion by 2020 – likely looking to gain a competitive advantage as early adopters.
The Global Trend Study revealed a clear correlation between investments in AI and business impact. The companies that realized the greatest AI-related revenue improvements and cost reductions spent five times more on the technology than the companies with the lowest AI-related revenue and cost improvements. In turn, leaders generated average revenue increases of 16% from AI initiatives in 2015 versus 2014, whereas laggards saw a modest 5% revenue growth. At a regional level, North American companies were the leading investors in AI in 2015, with an average per-company spend of $80 million, followed by Europe with $73 million, Asia-Pacific with $55 million and Latin America with $51 million.
Cyber security top of mind when adopting AI
Executives participating in the Global Trend Study across all regions and sectors rated the top four factors as most important to AI gaining widespread acceptance and driving business benefits. Almost seven out of 10 (68%) companies currently use AI to detect and prevent potential hacks and security threats to their systems. And moving forward, the other key factors include developing cognitive systems that continually learn, have the ability to make reliable and safe decisions based on masses of data, and gain the confidence of managers to trust what AI is advising them to do.
About The 2016 Global Trends Study
The seventh annual Global Trends Study from TCS surveyed 835 leading executives from companies in four global regions, with an individual mean annual turnover of $20bn. The four regions surveyed were North America (including Canada), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Denmark and Switzerland), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Australia, and Japan) and Latin America (Brazil and Mexico). The study was concluded in June 2016. For more information, or to download the study, go to http://sites.tcs.com/artificial-intelligence/
