New Google Assistant AI

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“Hay Google…” just got a whole lot smarter.

Apps can now integrate Google assistant to a much deeper level, giving access to specific functions within the app. For example you can open MyFitnessPal and log a food entry by just saying something like “Hay Google, log carrots in MyFitnessPal” or open a chat with a friend “Hay Google, message Billy on WhatsApp”

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New Google Assistant can do more in your apps

On the Google Assistant Blog, Adam Coimbra says:

And for your most common tasks, you can create custom shortcut phrases. So instead of saying “Hey Google, tighten my shoes with Nike Adapt,” you can create a shortcut to just say, “Hey Google, lace it.” You can explore suggested shortcuts or create your own by simply saying, “Hey Google, show my shortcuts” to get to the settings screen. 

Whether you want a hands-free way to use your apps or shortcuts to complete common tasks, we want to make Android and your apps even more useful and convenient—and to give you time back to enjoy what matters most.

Adam Coimbra, Product Manager.

No more “Your call is import to us…” while listening to Get Happy on hold!

Using the latest version of the Google Phone app you no longer have to sit with the on hold music playing in the background, Google Assistant can listen to the call for you and alert you when an actual human answers the call. And better still, it’ll put THEM on hold while it notifies you.

Google AI powered ‘Hold for me”

In the Google Assistant blog, Andrew Goodman says:

Hold for Me is our latest effort to make phone calls better and save you time. Last year, we introduced an update to Call Screen that helps you avoid interruptions from spam calls once and for all, and last month, we launched Verified Calls to help you know why a business is calling before you answer. Hold for Me is now another way we’re making it simpler to say hello.

Andrew Goodman, Product Manager, Google Assistant
Joseph Cherukara, Product Manager, Phone app

Using the Google AI, the new phone app is able to identify the difference between Hold Music, automated messages like “Your call is important to us, please hold the line” and some advertising messages.

While the ‘Hold For Me’ is active, the call will be muted and Google’s AI will provide an on-screen transcript of what’s happening on the call so you can keep an eye on your progress through a call answering system for example.

The audio processing is done entirely on the phone, so no data is sent into the cloud for analysis unless you allow it.

At the moment the ‘Hold For Me’ only works on pixel devices, but Google are hoping to update the app on all Android 9 and above phones very soon.

IT Skills Online

Access To Business Poster

If you or someone you know is looking to improve their IT skills to help them get back into work or startup their own business, Access To Business have some online programs that might be of interest to you or them.

If you’re reading this and think you know someone who would benefit from the courses below, but the don’t have any way to get online at the moment, or are not confident getting online, then contact us and we might be able to help them.

Basic Computer Skills

If you need help with the first steps to being online (turning a computer, phone or tablet on, getting connected, setting up an email account and so on) then the Future Digital Inclusion – Learn My way course is for you.

It’s module based and takes you through every step at your own pace and in a way you can understand and learn from.

Becoming More Confident Accenture Project

This project is aimed two groups of people: 

  1. Those with a current employment history (currently in work or have previously worked) including:
    • People aged 25+ years (i.e. not first-time job seekers) interested in building their digital confidence and capability – ready for future job opportunities, and less vulnerable in a digital world.
    • Helping people with low digital skills to build their digital skills and confidence to achieve their personal goals
    • Providing skills training for enterprise or employment
    • Supporting job-seekers 25+ years
    • Supporting people in full-time or part-time work to improve their job prospects.
  2. Young people:
    1. Skills to Succeed Academy – aimed at people aged 16-24 but also relevant for 25+ years
    2. Digital Skills online training programme – a partnership with Futurelearn
    3. Use of existing or new resources, including free online courses through Learn My Way.

Apps & Services – Make IT Happen

There are many modules here designed to teach you how to best use common apps and services such as the many Google services (GMail, Calendar, Docs…) Microsoft services (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint…) Photography, Online design tools (Canva) and more.

HMRC

And if you’re after help with Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credit, PAYE, VAT, National Insurance, JRS (Job Retention Scheme), Tax Returns and Furloughing, the HMRC Sessions are an excellent place to get the information you need.

How do I access the courses?

Simple, just call or email Jim Brennan or Simon Moore at Access To Business and they’ll get you sorted with log in details.

TinsleyNET IT for startup businesses

#WeCanHelp

If you need help getting started with technology, remember that we offer a range of services for new businesses, taking care of your IT needs so you can concentrate on what you do best.

We can sort out your IT needs with equipment, websites, email accounts, domain names and everything else IT related, that you might need to help your business flourish.

Video Messaging

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It’s an unprecedented time, with people all around the world becoming isolated in their homes, we look at some of the best video communication platforms to make your isolation or social distancing a little less solitary.

WhatsApp

https://www.whatsapp.com/

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WhatsApp is probably the most popular messaging app in use. Supporting voice and video calls, group chats and file sharing it protects your communications with end-to-end encryption and is available on all platforms and the web.

Accounts on WhatsApp are free and tied to your mobile number, so no need to sign up with an email account. But this does mean you need a smartphone before you can cign up for it.

Group chats can include up to 256 people, enough for even the largest family, but video calls are limited to 4 people

You can contact us on WhatsApp here tinsleyNET

Skype

https://www.skype.com/en/

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Probably one of the better known, and longest running video platforms, Skype is a goto app for many.

It’s a multi-platform service, meaning that no matter what type of phone, tablet or PC you have, you can get skype on it.

You can talk to upto 25 users at a time on the free version of Skype, ideal for setting up a family group, and you can use other features, such as remote screen sharing, messaging, Microsoft Teams (a business tool for managing meetings) and calling non-skype users via landline and mobile networks.

To access skype, the basic version is free but you’ll need a Microsoft account. If you’re on Windows 10 you can use the same account that you log into Windows with (assuming you’re not using a local only account)

Skype has been criticised in the past for it’s security, it’s been suggested that Microsoft have allowed government agencies access to ‘secure’ messages on skype. This might be something to be aware of if you’re using Skype for business, but for family communications, it’s really not an issue.

Contact us on skype: tinsleyNET

FaceTime

https://support.apple.com/

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Apple’s facetime is one of the most used video messaging apps, which is great if all your family are embedded into the Apple ecosystem, but no use to anyone not investing into Apple.

The app is limited to only video and voice calling between other Apple facetime devices, and it’s limited to 32 users in a video conversation.

There’s no additional accounts or setup required to use Facetime, and other than needing an Apple account and Apple hardware, there’s no other fees or requirements.

Google Duo

https://duo.google.com/about/

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Like FaceTime, Google’s Duo app is built around video calling only. But unlike Facetime, it’s not limited to just one platform.

Duo is accessible from Android, Apple, smart devices and from PC’s via the web, and allows conversations with upto 8 users at once.

Features like Knock Knock allow you to see the video of calling before you answer, video messenger allows you to send video clips or leave video clips if the call is not answered.

Security is achieved by end-to-end encryption. and extra features include AI overlays, meaning you can do funny things like draw a hat on your head that stays there as you move your head around, a bit like the well known overlays used on snapchat.

You can contact us on Duo here: https://duo.google.com/ or open your Duo app dial 07825650122

Due now supports up to 12 users in a call

“We are grateful that Duo is helping users see their loved ones all around the world. We recognize group calling is particularly critical right now. We have increased group calling from 8 participants to 12 effective today. More to come. #AllInThisTogether #COVID19”

Sanaz, Sr. Director of Product & Design at Google, March 2020
Tweet: https://twitter.com/sanazahari/status/1243397017868460033

Jitsi

https://jitsi.org/

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Not a well known service, but Jitsi is making itself known in areas where security is essential. The video and audio calling software is encrypted end-to-end and the same security can be used to encrypt messages on the platform.

There’s no limit on the number of participants in a group conversation, other than what your internet/hardware can cope with.

There’s no need to sign up for an account, simply head over to jitsi, start a conversation and then send the link out to others for them to join.

There are apps available for Windows and MacOS, but the focus appears to be around the web browser client, that means that accessing the service from a mobile device could be slightly tricky.

Zoom

https://zoom.us

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Zoom came from the minds behind Cisco, so as you’d expect it’s robust and reliable, and has security built into the platform from the start. Used extensively in business pre Microsoft Teams, it became the video conferencing platform of choice for celebs in 2019.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, Zoom has seen it’s user base increase significantly, not only for education and business, but also in a friends and family use.

The basic free account will allow you to chat to upto 100 users for 40 minutes, for more users or a longer chat, you’ll need a paid subscription (£11.99/month/user for the Pro)

You can contact us on Zoom, start a new meeting and click invite, then send the invite to it@tinsleynet.co.uk

Spike

https://www.spikenow.com/

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A less known client here, Spike is more business orientated. It brings together email, messaging, video calls and documents sharing.

Available on all platforms, the personal accounts are free as long as you’re using a recognised free email account (yahoo, gmail, hotmail etc). The limit on the free account is 10 group chats.

Facebook

https://www.messenger.com/

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Facebook offer two platforms here, Messenger and Portal (the one that’s being advertised on TV a lot)

The problem with Portal is that you need to invest entirely in the portal system, that is you and the people you’re talking to need the portal hardware. And Facebook don’t have a great reputation for seeing a project through, so there’s no guarantee that in a years time Portal is still around, then the hardware you bought will be redundant.

The ‘free’ alternative is Messenger, built into the Facebook platform and then spawned as a seperate app, it can be accessed via the web or via dedicated apps on Apple and Android.

You can have upto 50 users in a video call, but they all need to have Facebook profiles.

Facebook does not have the best reputation for data security, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Contact us on Facebook messenger: m.me/tinsleyNET

Google Hangouts

https://hangouts.google.com

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Hangouts has been around since the early days of video and messaging apps. It is a solid app built for mobile and website but lacked the advertising needed to push it forwards.

Google moved it towards a more business based app when Due and Allo were released, but it’s still available on a wide range of platforms, including Apple, Android, Chrome, Microsoft and Linux.

Hangouts supports video and voice calling, and text messaging. Group calling can include up to 10 users, and users can share their desktop screens so you can do remote support.

You can contact us on Hangouts, open your hangouts app and dial +447825650122

WeChat

https://www.wechat.com/

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The Chinese based chat app is widely used in China and is making it’s way into other countries via the much younger generations.

Video message groups can support upto 9 users. It’s popularity is based around the added features, including AI add ons, games and other in-app purchases.

The security of messages on Wechat has been questioned several times, with no clear response from the developers.

Others

There are plenty of other messaging apps that can keep you and your family in contact, feel free to add your own suggestions below.

tinsleyNET IT Servces Consultants #WeCanHelp

#WeCanHelp

If you need help on choosing a messaging app, you can contact us below or head over to our FREE IT SUPPORT facebook group to get advice from other users, click the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tinsleyNET/

FaceApp

FaceApp Icon

You can’t have helped but see the FaceApp images appearing on people’s social media, photos edited by AI to make them look older, younger or to swap genders.

You’ve probably also heard that the app is stealing your data in the background and uploading it to Russian servers.

We take a look at the app and dig into what it’s actually doing with your data.

The App

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FaceApp is available on Android and iPhone, the website is https://www.faceapp.com
Privacy policy is https://www.faceapp.com/privacy

FaceApp was first released in 2017.

The app is available as a free download, with limited functionality, and a pro version with more filters to use.

FaceApp uses AI to manipulate images, making the subject look older, younger, add a smile and so on.

Why does Russia want my data?

A tweet from an app developer suggested that FaceApp was uploading massive quantities of photos from users phones without their permission, this was later quoted in an article on 9TO5Mac and other publications, unfortunately they didn’t actually check if the facts were true.

So just to help clear things up, the app is NOT stealing your data, well not in any way that Apple and Google are already doing.

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What is the app doing?

The app will upload images to their servers, but only the ones you send for the AI to edit. No background uploading takes place, and only the individual photos you select are sent.

Using cloud servers to process the images will help keep the app size down, increase the speed of the image AI processing and helps keep their AI technology away from prying eyes.

The servers your photos are sent to appear to be based in America, although the company that makes FaceApp is based in Russia. This is not uncommon, as server costs and reliability in America are likely to be better than Russian based server.

The company states that most photos are removed from their servers after 48 hours. Like many other companies, they have a term that states any images sent to their servers may be used by them, royalty-free. Some may find it worrying that their photos might be used to promote this app, but this is not an unusual term in such situations. Twitter has similar terms in their usage T&C’s for example.

It’s likely that the images you send for processing are being used to help improve the AI technology used. Some have suggested this could be used to improve facial recognition algorithms, but In a statement to the BBC the firm’s chief executive, Yaroslav Goncharov, said “No, we don’t use photos for facial recognition training, Only for editing pictures.”

A French security researcher looked into what the app did when you used it, the technical details can be read in his twitter thread here: https://twitter.com/fs0c131y/status/1151270788357603328

How accurate are the FaceApp results?

There’s an article on the BBC News website where they test the app using some well known celebrities, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Freeman and Sir Ian McKellen – you can judge for yourself the quality of the results.

FaceApp Younger

Getting Secure with HTTPS

SSL

Google is trying to make the internet more secure by encouraging website owners to deploy security certificates in order to secure communication between your browser and their website. With the upcoming version of Chrome browser marking any websites with no or misconfigured security as not secure. Read more

Send commands to your Android Phone from your desktop

tinsleyNET #WeCanHelp

New rollouts to Google internet search add quick links to your Android phone

Over the past few weeks Google have been adding some functionality to the Chrome desktop browser, allowing you to interact with your Android phone even if it’s not near you.

At the moment the browser commands only work for American users, but it’s easy enough to get them to work for you, just add the “&gl=us” tag to the end of the URL. Read more