Back in the day, when one landed a job, the applicant essentially had a job for life. Many of our commuter fathers worked for the same company for their entire career. At the onset they would have been given a trajectory, a roadmap to assist them to ascend the corporate ladder. As they rose in stature, the number of staffers they presided over would multiply as well. Essentially, the more braves one had, the bigger one’s stature as a corporate chieftain. This was true if one worked for a plumbing supply house, major hotel chain, a Fortune 100 financial institution, or a medical equipment multinational.

Whenever a new concept or business tool was introduced, employees would attend classes presided over by a trainer, associated with the Human Resources department. AI changed all that. At first Artificial Intelligence was utilized as a training tool. This author remembers being left alone in front of a huge desktop computer and instructed to watch the program. Figuring out how to turn the desktop on was a conundrum, and the tedious instructional video, comprised of black on white line drawings and text, boring as all hell. Soon, however, the role of the Office Automator, or HR Trainer was history, supplanted by cost-effective AI.

Soon, other office positions, usually entry level or administrative, began to disappear. The team who serviced the copiers and the mailroom gave rise to more sophisticated IT personnel who maintained those cumbersome desktops which sprouted during the 1980s into every cubicle. Over time, more business processes were automated, some by AI, and soon, greater productivity was created by fewer personnel. The status of chieftain was no longer determined by the number of scalps, either. That concept spawned the myth of displaced workers and that AI was a job eater.

Enabling Employees = Greater Job Satisfaction

Actually, AI bridges the gap between management’s need to turn a profit and staffers’ needs to stay engaged and employed. If anything, AI predicts what is needed and fulfills it. Think about it. Years ago, when you wanted to update your W-2, you had to make an appointment to see someone in Human Resources. Today, you need only access your company’s intranet, fill out the online form, hit submit and your status is updated automatically. As for training, one does not need to leave one’s desk. Just click on a link and watch a vastly evolved educational presentation that is engaging, entertaining and highly informative. All thanks to AI.

Across the corporate universe the concept of providing the best possible customer service has taken hold. And it will not be going away anytime soon. For savvy business owners, providing that same concept to their employees, usually through AI-driven technology, provides greater job satisfaction, higher productivity, and an increased ROI. All because the human experience has been enhanced. The strongest argument for AI is not in looking at what it takes away, but what it gives. By marrying digital and human functions the hybrid result is a win-win for all parties. Additionally it furthers the advancement of technologies to propel the human experience forward.

The post Who’s Afraid of Big Bad AI? appeared first on Koshka.

But first a little back story. To understand the value of blockchain technology one needs basic a knowledge about cryptocurrencies. We cannot see you, but already we know your eyes are glazing over. No worries, we’ll make it quick and painless. Remember the play money that you used as a kid? It worked the same as U.S. currency, but was not issued by the government. Cryptocurrencies are like that. They are issued by anyone and accepted by anyone who has an agreement with the issuer. These are backed by ‘real’ money, tangible items with a stated value such as jewelry or artwork, or services to be provided. If this seems strange, it shouldn’t be. After all you are paid a salary in exchange for your services, right?

Since crypto monies are virtual, and are not affiliated with any nation or governing body, there is a need to keep things honest, so their transactions are recorded in a virtual ledger. That ledger is a blockchain. Blockchain was created by web developers who saw a need to rein-in the Wild West Show that cryptocurrencies had created across the globe. Blockchain has provided a clearinghouse if you will, to ensure that, among other things, cryptocurrency is used responsibly. This means every virtual transaction is recorded so each leaves a trail that the IRS and other government can access and allocate. See? That didn’t hurt one bit! Or should we say, bitcoin?

As with all great technologies, it doesn’t take long for developers to find additional value for their code. Here are some of the many ways that blockchain is already impacting our lives along with speculation as to where it will pop up next.

• Payment processing: As an individual who is currently waiting for the email or text stating that my funds transfer from one financial institution to another has been completed (several days now), blockchain technology will provide a welcome change. It expedites the transfer of funds from one source to another. So while I wait for my primary bank to acknowledge another financial institution (while collecting interest and fees on my money in the meantime), blockchain would have validated and processed my request within seconds 24/7/365.
• Data Sharing: Analysts rejoice! Since blockchain’s purpose is information collection, primarily for regulatory agencies, there are already cryptocurrency agents experimenting with sharing and selling unused data. Since this data relates to a wide range of industries, this intel could be used to gain insight into consumer habits to improve service levels. etc.
• Regulation Compliance: Move over Cloud, here comes Blockchain. While the Cloud provides excellent backup, there is always the possibility that new security threats could breach this system. With its immunity to hackers and with no known infrastructure problems, blockchain provides an ideal data backup system.
• Regulation Compliance: Earlier in this article, cryptocurrency transactions were referred to as a Wild West Show. That is because before blockchain, these flew under the radar of federal regulators. Now all sales and transaction data is captured so that it is transparent to local, state, and Federal lawmakers as well as to the IRS.
• Vote Online: After every election there has been much ink spilled over possible voter fraud. Given its transparency, blockchain will enable citizens to vote online, but allow regulators to see immediately if any captured network data is altered in any way.
• Medical Records: Hospitals and medical facilities have trended towards software over paper records-keeping solutions for almost two decades. Blockchain storage would allow the patient to control who has access to their data and is more HIPAA-compliant than other sources.
• Virtual IDs: Microsoft is working on a way that individuals can take control of our digital identities. For those of us still getting used to opening our cell phones with our index fingers, this is a brave new, and very exciting possibility! Imagine being able to establish credit immediately, to travel anywhere without a passport and just access your identity online from your phone! With great opportunity also comes potential great risk, so we understand this concept is far from complete. Stay tuned!

Buying a home, a business, buying or leasing a car…: If you have ever bought or sold a home you know that there is a great deal of paperwork involved. With blockchain, however, whenever a deed, or title is to be transferred, this part of the process can be viewed and transaction online, thereby speeding up the process and saving a forest of trees!

To gauge the potential of this new platform, just imagine any agreement, sales or financial transaction, or legal action where paper exchanges hands. Now take it out of the equation and insert blockchain as the new variable. Exciting prospect, right? A technology that functions as a storehouse and a facilitator offers huge potential to individuals as well as for commerce. As a new technology, blockchain’s many positives include its value as a digital, decentralized platform that logs transactions without using a bank. More simply, its initial intention was to transfer money while recording data in ways that are both transparent and unchanging. Blockchain’s downside is that it is a new technology. All of its potential kinks have not yet surfaced and when they do, it is unknown how or when these can be remediated.

Therefore major businesses, especially multinationals, have been unwilling to take the leap of faith and leave their current transaction transmitting infrastructure for blockchain. No one wants to be the first to go ‘all-in’, but once some enterprise does, the herd will quickly follow. What remains to be seen will be crucial to the future expansion and success of blockchain as a data platform: its full functionality and scalability. This is a technological realm with limitless potential and this author looks forward to posting updates as it progresses. In terms of technology, we live in exciting times!

The post Blockchain Technology and You – 101 appeared first on Koshka.

Millions of American kids, now in our 50s and 60s and beyond, grew up watching NASA’s space exploits from our living rooms. We knew the astronauts by name, what their favorite foods and non-work activities were, and which missions they’d flown. At that time, the goal was to land on the moon. What one was supposed to do once they arrived there, remained, and still does, to be seen. Apparently getting there was all the fun. At that time America had a rival in what was termed, “the space race”: Russia. Russia has always been cast as this large, clumsy land where its citizens are conformist and their rules of conduct regimented and somewhat harsh. It was easy to view Russian spacecraft as bulky, their instrumentation with its large screens, gauges and knobs as more Jules Verne than science, and Russian cosmonauts as sullen and unsmiling. Public relations were not part of their job spec apparently, so they looked like villains when compared to the smiling, waving, and outgoing American astronauts.

During the Kennedy Administration, the American space program received extensive funding, a shot in the arm, so to speak. Next, and throughout the 1960s the space race was on. While the Russians were the first to send a man into space orbit, the real question was, ‘Who would be the first team to land on the moon?’ The covert actions of the Russian space program were contrasted with the widely-publicized activities of the American astronauts whose lives were detailed in popular press and magazines such as LIFE. With the infusion of cash from Washington, and a greenlight to ‘get there first’, launches from Cape Canaveral in Florida were headline news and well-attended. Civilians came from across the nation to watch. They had to park along highways and peer from property lines as non-military personnel were prohibited on the military base. Finally on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon’s surface and intoned his scripted line, “One step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

It is a little known fact, but the Russians have never set foot on the moon’s soil. Uh, uh. Nope. Not ever. Directly after the successful Apollo 11 flight, the Soviet Union cancelled its space program. Game over. However, in 2012 a British journalist reported that the Russian space program was alive and well, and that a moon landing was planned by 2030. Funding for a $14- billion spacestation is being raised. However, internal struggles including its overall business plan have stalled manned-missions into outer space. The contention is that Russia lost the space race 60 years ago, why underscore that defeat? Aim for Mars instead.
A New Century Brings New Goals

The moon is alluring for two reasons: mining and as a launchpad to Mars. From core samples, scientists believe that precious metals and other rare elements used to generate power can be easily extracted from the moon’s surface. Mars’ atmosphere is considered to be most similar to Earth’s therefore human life could potentially flourish there. That brings us to who else in our universe has an active space program and what their stated intentions are: Canada, Japan, a European federation comprised of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, China, and Norway.

In addition, there are a number of private corporations who have targeted human spaceflight as a near future goal. Of these, SpaceX (Elon Musk) Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos) and Virgin Galactic (Richard Branson) are the best-funded, by leading technology and internet entrepreneurs, and therefore demonstrating real progress towards achieving their goals. Teamed with NASA, Musk’s SpaceX recently launched its Falcon 9 rocket as part of the US Air Forces’ Global Positioning System project. Not to be outdone, China has emerged as the first nation to land a spacecraft on the far or dark side of the moon (facing away from earth).

The Chinese National Space Administration also plays close to the vest with its intentions, however it is known that the Chang’e-4, a lander and rover vehicle will remain behind and probe the structure and mineral composition of the dark side, as well as make astronomical observations. These findings are expected to be supplemented next year when the Chang’e-5 is launched. It is also predicted that China intends to launch a Mars rover within five years.

It would appear that the moon is no longer the final frontier for space exploration and that Mars, with its allegedly similar to Earth’s climate is. Living in a world that is consumer not conservation-oriented, is it possible that our world leaders are looking skyward for a future solution to overpopulation and dwindling resources? Or are we just a competitive species and are exploring space because it is ‘out there’? It will not happen in this author’s lifetime, but I cannot help but wonder if our space explorers will be met by little green men speaking fluent English asking, “Hey, buddy, what took you so long?”

The post Return of the Space Race 2019 appeared first on Koshka.

Today there are dozens of social media outlets and platforms. Yet Facebook remains the most used social network with over 1.74 BILLION users. That’s 1,740,000,000 users drawn out for some extra context. Historically many users have Facebook pages that serve as business accounts so connecting their phone numbers and other contact information is second nature. This makes Facebook a huge database of personal phone numbers.

As with most new online venues, it did not take long for opportunists and others to learn how to harvest personal information for their own gain, usually at the expense of yours. While there was a time when you could find users’ phone numbers via Facebook’s own search bar, that option has been rescinded. You see after the news of Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica Scandal, (spoiler, it was a major data breach) the tech giant took numerous steps towards making the social network more secure and sensitive to users’ private information. This ranged from stricter advertising policies to overall data availability.

So can you still perform some form of the Facebook phone number search?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. That has made it tricky to locate and contact other Facebook users.

As of March of 2018, Facebook removed their notorious phone number search feature as one way of appeasing users and critics. Remember, while this feature did make it easier for users to find their friends and family, there have also been claims of people abusing the feature to extract personal information for malicious reasons.
Where There’s A Will, There’s Usually a Way

The good news is that there are alternatives to the Facebook phone number search. While you may not be able to actively search for phone numbers among Facebook users, you CAN search for phone numbers and see if they are on Facebook. It’s something like a reverse Facebook look up, if you will. Another positive aspect of this search option is that it is completely legit, and can be easily performed without guilt or fear of reprisal. If you are looking up an old classmate, the kids you grew up with, or that real estate attorney your neighbor recommended, for this, we recommend Kiwi Searches.

Visit them and simply enter the phone number you’re looking for in the search bar towards the top of the page. Give the site a minute or two to load the phone number lookup and see if the number is registered with Facebook. The only downsides are that one is limited to phone numbers registered on the site, and that the service is not free of charge. Costs will vary, however the first phone number search is only $0.95.

Unheard of 20 years ago, Social Media, much like the internet, has become a daily staple in most of our lives. Another great feature of this means to facilitate locating people, is that once your friend, contact, or former neighbor has been found, approached, and friends you back, you have made or rekindled a potentially beneficial and mutually-rewarding connection online. Give it a try!

The post How to Perform a Facebook Phone Number Search appeared first on Koshka.

What’s that you say? Unless you have awoken from a coma, or have missed today’s news, today Musk unveiled and demonstrated the efficiency of his latest venture: underground transportation technology. Back in 2016 Musk boasted that he planned to start digging tunnels to provide relief from LA’s fabled freeway congestion. Now, hearing of this, most native New Yorkers will scoff. After all, we have had tunnels under Manhattan and a subway system since the late 19th century. Back then, tunnelling was a relatively easy technology to implement as Gotham sits on bedrock. Most every other urban oases do not and, up to now, their citizens could only look eastward towards NYC with envy.

Musk’s Boring Co. is Anything But

In recent years international tragedies have provided an opportunity for Musk to offer aid. As previously mentioned, Elon Musk is the father of six boys. That may have been the reason for his generous offer via Twitter to provide assistance for the 12 boys and their leader trapped in a cave in Thailand this past summer. As numerous rescue attempts were made over a two week period, Musk directed Boring and SpaceX staffers at the site to fashion a kid-sized submarine from a liquid oxygen transfer tube. Later Musk joined his team, but even his presence was not enough to convince the Thai government to abandon standard rescue procedures. However, Musk was allowed to leave the capsule (which had been tested and proven successful) in Thailand for future rescue attempts.

Using Technology to Further Humanitarian Efforts

Also, when disaster struck Puerto Rico a second time, plunging the entire island into darkness, it was Musk who sent Tesla batteries to the battered tropical paradise where they will remain in use until power is fully restored. Granted this is grandstanding to a degree, but it also demonstrates a major humanitarian effort. At a time when little aid or even kind words were coming from the Oval office, the Governor of New York was sending aid,and utility repair crews into the region, and many grassroots and relief organizations were doing whatever they could. By sending needed battery power as part of the rescue and recovery effort a voice who could make a positive contribution to help people in the stricken area to recover was heard: Elon Musk’s.

So we’re established that Musk is both a humanitarian and a trailblazer (there’s enough ink about SpaceX’s mission to Mars so we will not detail that here. Google it.) What does building a tunnel under LA do for his street cred? Is he serious about building a tunnel under LA as a model for other cities across the U.S.? Apparently so. Musk’s 1.14-mile long prototype to relieve traffic congestion is considerably more than just a reinforced hole in the ground. Reporters who braved the inaugural tunnel ride (which did not include Mr. Musk as a passenger), reported a smooth ride not unlike that at an amusement park. Which is fitting because Musk himself refers to the project as “a weird little Disney ride in the middle of LA”. For this weird little ride, Boring company built specialized tunneling equipment but to date, has been prevented by citizen groups from building another tunnel in his “LA network” by a group of citizens who took Musk to court and won.
Washington to NYC in 29 Minutes?!

That’s okay, because what LA is skittish about, drew raves in Chicago and Baltimore (which is looking to implement another commuter route to Washington D.C.) As we go to print, Musk is said to be drafting proposals for those cities, even as he states that his urban tunnels are ‘in the prototype stage’. Nor has he given up on LA just because its well-heeled citizens cannot get behind him. Currently Boring Co. is planning another LA tunnel, this time to connect Los Feliz, East Hollywood and other lower socio-economic regions with Dodger Stadium.

Across the nation, bloggers to seasoned journalists are asking if Musk is serious. After all, he built a castle in LA at the tunnel exit. At the grand opening party, a full-time staffer was hired to be its ‘Watchtower Guard’ and to hurl epithets with a French accent (as in the Monty Python movies). Yet his engineers and technicians are first rate and his ingenious approach to conveying traffic through his tunnel evolved from placing vehicles on an electric skate as propulsion, to self-powered vehicle transit. For the Baltimore-Washington project Musk is currently proposing to whisk passengers between these cites, and even to New York in his Hyperloops, a high-speed capsule inside a vacuum tube. Sound familiar? It should. That was the technology that Musk sent to Thailand to rescue the trapped scouts.

By this time, the light should be beginning to dawn. Everything Musk conceives is meant to dovetail some project at varying stages of its development. And utilizing these inventions as globally and as creatively as possible Musk furthers his branding, and his personal and corporate credibility. With Musk, a man of apparently great heart, it also appears that he believes that one hand washes the other.

The post Elon Musk: Modern Day Buck Rogers or Charlatan? appeared first on Koshka.

It is not the first time a major corporation has been closely associated with one person. There have been many precedents. A decade ago, Howard Schultz returned to Starbucks (the company he had led to major achievement) when his successor took the multinational brand to the brink of extinction. Policies Schultz presumably cast in stone had been discarded as executives eager to create their legacy overextended the brand’s reach. Starbucks exponential growth spawned the observation/joke that there was a Starbucks on every corner. Despite a dismal ROI, Starbucks stores proliferated like bunnies until the economic downturn of 2008 all but shuttered the chain. On the brink of bankruptcy, Starbuck’s board returned to the past to find its future and reinstated Howard Schultz as CEO.

Schultz returned to perform necessary housekeeping. He closed thousands of stores, and reined in the product lines which now included a line of less than popular ice creams (but they were delicious). Schultz refocused the business away from self gain to selflessness. The customer and the grower/suppliers were to be treated like gold, because they were the heart and soul of the Starbucks enterprise. A less dilute product line starring, would you believe, coffee was instituted. In addition, Starbucks initiated the paradigm shift towards providing superior customer service. Slowly, then in legions, customers came back.

Reboot What Worked

Customers returned to environments that were spotless, and ideal for socializing. The stores were now gathering places where everyone would be welcomed and treated as individuals with each and every beverage hand crafted one at a time. And what beverages they were! Exotic coffees were sourced across the globe and their growers were paid fairly. The massive, espresso machines with their precise, chrome-plated gauges cost if not a king’s ransom, then more than anyone’s first car. Attention was paid to the last little detail, and every customer complaint was addressed immediately. Within a year Starbucks stock had recovered, realizing gains of 143% YoY in 2009.

Schultz stayed on through 2017, but shortly after he passed the baton yet again, a racial bias incident once more caused consumers to question the brand’s sincerity. Following the public’s outcry, it was Schultz, not CEO Kevin Johnson, who appeared at a press conference to both apologize and set out steps to remediate bias across the chain. Schultz mandated that all the stores be closed for a day and the staffers ‘retrained’ to become aware of and sensitive to ‘unconscious bias’. He may not punch a clock, but to many Starbucks loyalists, Howard Schultz is Starbucks.

Did you think we were straying off point? The point is that Elon Musk is Tesla, Tesla is Elon Musk. This past week Musk agreed to step down as Tesla’s Chairman, yet is allowed to remain as the Company’s CEO. For those readers who are unaware, Musk was fined $40 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a Tweet (yes, you heard right) that stated he was taking the company private and had the funding to buy out stockholders at $420 a share. When in fact, there were no plans in place, no investors, and no funding to buy out anybody. Both sides reached an agreement for Tesla/Musk to pay the fine but not admit wrong doing. This move ensured that Tesla stock, which dropped a significant 14% after the announcement, would eventually rally, and in effect, “the farm would be saved”.
Maybe Not Such a Bad Move…

As with Starbucks, Tesla Motors has had to step back from the way it performs daily operations, take a deep breath, and regroup- for now. Also as in the Starbucks scenario, Tesla had been teetering on the edge of the precipice for some time. The firm has not made a dime in 15 years, despite Musk’s repeated insistence that it is on the verge of doing so. This could actually be true in the near future. Across the globe there is keen interest in Musk’s Tesla Model 3 sedan, an electric car for the masses. Unlike Starbucks, however, where Schultz is the mastermind who guides and directs his former enterprise to greater success, Musk’s genius needs to be reined in at times. He is idea, not process-driven, and employs any means to achieve his intended end. Some of his upstart ideas, such as announcing what was essentially a hoax buyout, will not fly with the U.S. government not the SEC. And, for the public to buy the Model 3, first there must be a Model 3 in production. In short, the fines were seen as essentially a move to harness Elon Musk and to save him from himself. Don Quixote-like, the man does appear to tilt at windmills.

What happens next at Tesla Motors? Still in the picture at Tesla (he is the majority stockholder), but moved to the background, Musk is free to settle any stockholder lawsuits resulting from his Tweet. If this allows him any free time, he can continue to commandeer his vast technological empire, dividing his time between Tesla and SpaceX, his San Francisco Bay area enterprise which designs, produces, and launches rockets and spacecraft. Its goal? To enable people to ultimately reach and live on other planets. Clearly, Mr. Musk is not the entrepreneur next door. Back at Tesla, the goal for all concerned is for the Model 3s to roll off the assembly lines sometime in 2019. For a few years now,there have been charging stations at Interstate rest stops bearing the name ‘Tesla”. However this author has not yet observed a line of cars waiting for their turn to recharge.

Tesla always seems to be a company poised on the brink. From electric vehicles, and driverless cars, to SpaceX’s rockets to Mars, Elon Musk’s mind appears so diversified, that his two enterprises suffer. We propose that he continues as the resident genius at both or either, and allows new management to direct ONE project to completion. This way the enterprises associated with Elon Musk would leave the world of Buck Rogers and enter the stratosphere that the rest of us occupy daily: reality. If it takes a staggeringly high fine to mandate him to put on the brakes, then so be it. As for moi, I’m living for the day I can pull off I-95 and recharge my Model 3 -at a Tesla station of course!

The post Will Tesla Survive Elon Musk’s ‘Departure’? appeared first on Koshka.

3D Printing is literally the process of printing 3D objects. So rather than adding ink to paper, 3D printers are able to mold and create objects when given the necessary materials. 3D Printing dates back farther than most realize, and does not reflect the science fiction-esc persona that some imagine. The truth is, 3D printing is real and it is here, the question is how it will integrate with our society and affect the world’s economy.

How Does It Work?

It’s pretty cool, actually. 3D images are analyzed and translated from your computer to your printer. From there, your device will scan the information provided until your 3D modeling software connects your computer with the scanner to make it all work.

Once your computer and printer have the information it needs, a separate slicing software will cut a 3D model. These can be molded in many different ways! Once your mold has been sliced, the information can be fed to your printer.

Keep in mind that everything from the scanner, to the molding and slicing softwares vary by quite a bit, ranging from huge industrial models to smaller versions you can use at home. Like anything else, the cost will impact the quality. The differences will stand with the scanning accuracy, cutting precision, and time it takes to complete the process in full.

The History of 3D Printing

Believe it or not, 3D printing has been around for over 30 years. In 1981 an Industrial Research Institution published the first workings of what would become a 3D printer. This is what’s known as the start of additive manufacturing.

A few years later, steroligraphy was born, which allowed designers to use digital technology to make 3D models. These models could then be molded into real objects. This was the start of 3D printing that we know better today.

From here, the true development of 3D printing started in the early 2000s. The medical industry see enormous potential with the new technology and that gave rise to artificially made, 3D printed organs that could be used for transplants. Organs ranging from bladders to kidneys were being made, which started prosthetic limbs and so much more. 3D printing was then seen as the potential future for surgical practices.

In 2005, inventors started getting a little crazy with their visions of 3D printing. Crazy smart! This was the start of 3D printers that could print parts for more 3D printers. It’s like printing inception! This took much of the same technology used for medical professionals and large scaled manufactures into the homes of many that wanted to 3D print their own items. From here, creative thinkers and designers were given Shapeways which is a marketplace for designers to get opinions on their ideas, both from a consumer and user’s perspective.

3D Printing Today

Today, people can pretty much print whatever they want (within reason). From personal to business printing, the possibilities are growing at such a rate that it’s hard to see the limitations.

From the manufacturing side, look for better collaboration between new softwares and hardware. This will make the process easier for end-users and faster for manufacturers, making production faster and more cost-efficient.

The Projections of Impact

Looking forward, there have been many debates on the impact of 3D printing and how regularly it will be adopted by everyday people.

What it comes down to is cost. If people can print what they need in a cost-effective manner, they would be able to cut out the middleman (the distributor and in some cases, the manufacturer) to get what they need faster and easier.

Then what would this mean for select industries, and on a broader scale – the economy? Will this change modern day consumerism, especially in the wake of an era of technological adoption that we have never before seen?

The truth is, more industries are embracing 3D printing and this has the potential to impact the landscape of the manufacturing and logistics economy.

The Projections of Impact

It really comes down to cost and we really believe that this will explode. The question is when, because we know it’s only a matter of time. As the cost continues to drop, more and more people will adopt the new system of printing, both from a manufacturing and consumer perspective.

What do you think? Do you use a 3D printer? Do you see new industries adopting it anytime soon or will it take more time? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Is 3D Printing Going To Explode? appeared first on Koshka.

iPhone 8 Plus

Weight: 202g
Dimensions: 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm
Operating System: iOS12
Screen Size: 5.5 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
CPU: Apple A11 Bionic
RAM: 3GB
Storage Range: 64 – 256 GB
Battery: 2691 mAh
Camera: 7 MP f/2.2
Pros: Great overall phone and the sales price will decrease with the introduction of the newer models.
Cons: New iPhone is coming out, so future operating systems won’t work as well and specifications will continue to improve for future models.

iPhone X Plus

Weight: 177g
Dimensions: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm
Operating System: iOS12
Screen Size: 5.8 inches
Resolution: 1125 x 2436 pixels
CPU: Apple A12 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage Range: 64 – 512GB
Battery: 2658 mAh
Camera: 7 MP f/2.2
Pros: The newest iPhone with all of the newest perks. Will work great with all new iOS updates.
Cons: Pretty expensive, but if you don’t mind spending the money, you’ll be happy with your purchase.

Moto G5 Plus

Weight: 155g
Dimensions: 150.2 x 74 x 7.7mm
Operating System: Android 7.0
Screen Size: 5.2 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
CPU: Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortez-A53
RAM: 3GB
Storage Range: 32GB – 256Gb
Battery: 3000 mAh
Camera: 12 MP
Pros: Good design and nice camera
Cons: Buy a speaker.

Samsung Galaxy S9

Weight: 163g
Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
Operating System: Android 8.0
Screen Size: 5.8 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Exynos 9810 Octa
RAM: 4GB
Storage Range: 64GB
Battery: 3000mAh
Camera: 8 MP f/1.7
Pros: The screen is really nice with highly clear resolution. The stylus has also improved and is becoming one of the premier new features.
Cons: Software and AI assistant is still new and needs work. The battery is decent, but lighter than competing android phones.

Motorola Moto Z2 Force

Weight: 143g
Dimensions: 155.8 x 76 x 6.1mm
Operating System: Android 7.1
Screen Size: 5.5 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2560 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM: 4 – 6GB
Storage Range: 64 – 280GB
Battery: 2730mAh
Camera: 12 MP f/2.0
Pros: The exterior design is durable and built to last. Your tech is secure with this.
Cons: The battery is pretty weak.

Huawei P20 Pro

Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 155 x 73.9 x 7.8mm
Operating System: Android 8.1
Screen Size: 6.1 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2244 pixels
CPU: Kirin 970
RAM: 6GB
Storage Range: 128GB
Battery: 4000mAh
Camera: 24MP f/2.0
Pros: One of the best batteries among new smartphones, and the best camera among android phones. The design is sleek and the phone is great for active people.
Cons: The phone can be slow at times and isn’t the best for multitasking.

Google Pixel 2 XL

Weight: 175g
Dimensions: 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm
Operating System: Android 8
Screen Size: 6.0 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2880 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM: 4GB
Storage Range: 64 – 128GB
Battery: 3520mAh
Camera: 8 MP f/2.4
Pros: Probably Google’s best phone with an awesome camera. The phone is very fast with great multitasking capabilities.
Cons: The exterior is awkward and probably prone to breaking easily. Get an otterbox or lifeproof case if you’re going with this one.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Weight: 201g
Dimensions: 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm
Operating System: Android 8.1
Screen Size: 6.4 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2960 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6GB
Storage Range: 128GB
Battery: 4000mAh
Camera: 8 MP f/1.7
Pros: Great screens and fast processor.
Cons: Not a huge lift from the Note 8.

LG G7 THINQ

Weight: 162g
Dimensions: 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm
Operating System: Android 8.1
Screen Size: 6.1 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 3120 pixels
CPU: SDM845 (2.65GHz Octa-Core)
RAM: 4GB
Storage Range: 64GB
Battery: 3000mAh
Camera: 8 MP FF
Pros: Strong speakers and great multitasking.
Cons: Battery is mediocre.

HTC U12

Weight: 188g
Dimensions: 156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7mm
Operating System: Android 8.1
Screen Size: 6 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 2880 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6GB
Storage Range: 64GB (expandable)
Battery: 3500mAh
Camera: 8MP + 8MP
Pros: It’s a fun, sleek phone which is technologically sound. The glass is pretty fancy
Cons: HTC only and the battery can be better.

Nokia 6.1

Weight: 172g
Dimensions: 148.8 x 75.8 x 8.6mm
Operating System: Android 8.1
Screen Size: 5.5 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
CPU: 2.2GHz Octa-Core
RAM: 3GB
Storage Range: 32-128GB
Battery: 3000 mAh
Camera: 16MP
Pros: Great screen and solid UI
Cons: Average for audio and battery is limited.

The post Which Smartphone Should I Get Next (Ultimate Guide) appeared first on Koshka.

Item: Jabra Elite 65t Completely Wireless Earbuds
Price: $169.99
Where to Buy It: BestBuy

These are really cool because they integrate with smartphones in ways that most headphones don’t. From a customizable voice assistant to the adjustable equalizer, these are a good deal for the $170.

Item: Apple Watch Series 4 GPS Smartwatch
Price: $399
Where to Buy It: Apple

It’s a little pricey, but the Apple Watch 4 has excellent reviews and is known to have a pretty long lifespan. The Apple Watch is known for its abilities to integrate with GPS and health-related apps, which take workouts to the next level. Consider this for a fitness-oriented friend!

Item: GoPro HERO7 Black Action Camera
Price: $399.99
Where to Buy It: GoPro

GoPro combines a high-quality camera and video recorder with a durable companion you can bring with on your adventures. The GoPro HERO7 is both shock and waterproof, so no matter how intense your endeavors are, you can be sure to capture it for future viewings. If you know someone into hiking or extreme sports, this would be the ideal gift.

Item: Amazon Echo Plus Smart Speaker
Price: $149.99
Where to Buy It: Amazon

Amazon’s Echo Plus takes Alexa to the next level and is a great addition to someone’s home. The new addition took a big step with 360 degrees of high-quality sound. Not to mention that it connects with more devices than ever before AND has motion sensor. Pretty cool for the price!

Item: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
Price: $109.99
Where to Buy It: SanDisk

It’s hard to put a price tag on storage and this SanDisk model can store up to a terabyte in its shock, water, and dust resistant case. The sheer capacity and durability is a great pickup for anyone who has a lot of important pictures or files they need stored, especially those that are less comfortable with backup cloud storage.

Item: SteelSeries Arctis 3 (2019 Edition) Wired Gaming Headset
Price: $69.99
Where to Buy It: BestBuy

Have any friends or family that are hardcore hardcore gamers? The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is an excellent buy for just $70! It works great for PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, as well as Android and iOS devices, making it perfect for any gamer. The sound is great and quality is solid, which will help them last for a long time, even for gamers who play for long periods of time.

Item: Oculus Go Standalone Virtual Reality Headset
Price: $249.00
Where to Buy It: Oculus

Virtual Reality is the future of entertainment and Oculus appears to be leading the pack. The Go Standalone offers 3D graphics with built-in surround sound that helps it act as a personal theater. Anyone into tech or any kind of entertainment would appreciate this beast!

Item: DJI Spark Mini Quadcopter Drone
Price: $315.00
Where to Buy It: DJI

Drones are still hot, but they’re always difficult to purchase. In most cases, you have to spend a crazy amount of money for something that works, so either empties your pockets or get a piece of junk. In this case, you can get a solid drone for just over 300 bucks!

Item: Polaroid Impossible Project Polaroid 600 96 Cam Instant Camera
Price: $189.99
Where to Buy It: Polaroid

Polaroid cameras are pretty retro and might be a side-step compared to the rest of the gifts on this list. The 600 96 is pretty cool because they’re durable and fun-looking. They’re also in limited supply so if you want one, go get it!

Item: Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera
Price: $199.99
Where to Buy It: Nest

Home security is always in style! The Nest Cam integrates with other devices and live streams whatever you want in the house. It’s easy to set up and the products tend to last a while.

Item: Nintendo Switch Gaming Console
Price: $299.00
Where to Buy It: GameStop

The Switch is awesome for a few reasons. The games coming out are really fun (Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Mario Party, Zelda, etc.) and it’s really cool because it integrates with any TV and can be played on the go! Unlike other attempts, the Switch is here to stay so go ahead and invest!

Item: Apple TV 4K Streaming Device
Price: $179.00
Where to Buy It: Apple

The new Apple TV is faster than the last edition and works for 4K tvs. It’s as good as the Amazon Fire Stick and better than Chromecast.

Item: Samsung Galaxy Watch Smartwatch
Price: $324.99
Where to Buy It: Samsung

Great accessory for Android users, which we believe is better than Fitbit and LG, but is just a tad below the apple watch. This is probably the most stylish one with the largest screen that has apps that help with everything from organization to fitness.

Item: Sphero R2-D2 Droid
Price: $59.99
Where to Buy It: Sphero

Awesome for Star Wars fans, it’s almost like a pet! The R2D2 rolls around, which is app-controlled. It doesn’t do that much but is a fun thing to have in the house.

Item: Bose Home Speaker 500 Smart Speaker With Amazon Alexa
Price: $399.00
Where to Buy It: Bose

We’re big fans of Bose speakers and the Home 500 model is one of our favorites. It has Alexa built in, which we know isn’t the greatest AI, but is still a bonus. Combined with its sleek design, eight-microphone speaker array which is great for parties! Pick this up for someone who needs a loudspeaker that can connect with various apps (Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc.)

Item: iRobot™ Roomba™ 890 Wi-Fi™ Connected Robot Vacuum
Price: $399.00
Where to Buy It: iRobot

We love the Roombas – they clean your house and adjust to different surfaces. It takes a bit to adjust to how your place is arranged, but once it’s set, it does a great job – no effort needed. The new model has a larger battery and learns faster, good buy for the price.

The post The Hottest Tech Gifts For The Holiday Season appeared first on Koshka.

How are consumers doing research for their purchases? Check out these major trends when considering your customer’s purchasing journey.

Checking Reviews

Of course, consumers want to check reviews and see what people are saying about the products they’re considering. They can see these on Google, Yelp, and so on. Some consumers make a fun adventure out of their business reviewing. The big one is Google because they find it when they are searching for products or services. What are they looking for? Lots of reviews (for a sufficient sample size) and stories from people to help paint them a picture of what purchasing the product or service might be like before laying out the investment.

Brands need to do their best to not only accumulate more positive reviews from happy customers but also work to minimize the impact of negative reviews. Damage control is a huge part of changing the whole perspective of the review, and in some cases can help customers change their reviews. Brands do this by offering a personal, one-on-one discussion about their experience and what they can do to resolve the problem. Now THAT’S customer service!

Following Social Media Accounts

When it comes to long-term satisfaction, consumers look to who provides the best customer service. Social media has become the go-to outlet for customer service because of convenience and people want things instantly in the digital age.

Many brands have Twitter and Facebook accounts made specifically for customer service. Airlines, for instance, are known to have extensive support for social channels, as people often have issues with missed flights that need to be attended to immediately. This has become the digital alternative to phone operators, which have drastically changed the impressions people have about timely customer service.

Chatbots are becoming a huge part of the buyer’s journey for brands. Automated messenger bots assist visitors as they land on brands’ website or select social media pages to cut costs and ensure a fast and quality experience for consumers.

Newsletters

Despite the misconception that email is dying, there is compelling evidence that it is growing more than ever. Why? Because people use email for work, therefore rely on it for communication.

The biggest incentives for subscribing to newsletters are exclusive promotions and important news updates. As the digital age continues to evolve, consumers are learning to adapt to marketing strategies for long-term purchases. How do they do this? They see an ad and decide it’s something they might want in the future, so they subscribe to their newsletter and wait for a deal, then jump on their opportunity to get what they want at a price that makes them feel like they won.

This is, of course in addition to the constant comparing of pricing. Consumers are highly likely to subscribe to newsletters of not only their favorite brands, but also their competitors to see if they could get a better deal, or potentially a price match if they can prove that someone else is offering a deal at a better rate.

Trusting Influencers

A trusted source cannot be bought. Or can it? Influencers from a number of industries will review products on their websites, forums, blogs, YouTube channels, and so on. Some thought leaders are considered to be more genuine than others and consumers will rely on what they have to say (or at the very least consider their opinion in with their final decision).

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality will impact much more than the way people make purchases, it will change the way people interact with media. They are apart of the content and will view their time as more of an experience. This will change the way brands present their ideas, as well as the way they will present their promotions as well as the consumer’s purchasing journey.

As top Virtual Reality companies continue to grow, look for more video content surrounding the “feel” and “experience” of the brands that are executing their marketing campaigns. This will change the way consumers interact with brands and experience their merchandise the retail way.

Consumers will find their merchandise for the ultimate retail experience. Also, keep in mind that people will associate your brand with the influencers you work with, so be careful who you decide to partner with.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is not only here but is in many of our homes. Voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, the Google Home and many more are helping consumers navigate the web in search for more information. Voice search is already becoming more competitive as it moves in as a niche search platform, which is causing brands to adapt.

The same way people have looked to their mobile devices to make more purchases, they will look to Artificial Intelligence as they get more comfortable. Local search campaigns will likely see the most business from this specific platform.

Secure Mobile Payment

Data is becoming a bigger concern among consumers and they want to secure transactions, such as edi solutions. So enabling more secure landing pages and ordering process will help prevent bounces and increase conversion rates.

While some users will rely on personal methods such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet, others will like to avoid having all their information in one place. This audience (Late Majorities and Laggards) will be the primary targets of this strategy.

Conclusion

Business occurs in the future, so it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and know the next moves of your potential customers. Paying attention to technology is imperative as it will affect the way customers will interact with brands on a daily basis. Keep in mind that these trends are always changing, so don’t get too comfortable when deciding on your final strategy. So follow these steps and make sure to keep yourself one step ahead of your customers for 2019!

The post 7 Digital Consumer Trends to Watch for in 2019 appeared first on Koshka.