Welcome to this week’s Technology Updates, a vibrant mix of hot topics and future trends.

The future is here…. Big Data or Hype?

The Globe and Mail reported that the Maple Leafs are betting big on Big Data. It is surprising that it has taken them this long. Other sport organizations, notably the MLB with its sabermetrics (http://g3t.ca/q1hK49), have been doing it for quite some time. The Maple Leafs started pouring resources into gathering data, analysis, visualization and predictive analytics. They are planning to use it for drafting, contract negotiation, on-ice strategy and style of play.

The Leafs have assembled an analytics team. Setting the objectives, most likely to win the Stanley Cup (regardless how improbable it is), was the critical part. Now, the tricky part will be to find the right data, which will provide the insight and allow for reliable predictions. This is one of the difficulties, which any organization starting the journey with big data, has to resolve. Everybody is talking about big data, but the discussion should start with relevant data.

Time will show if this experiment will help the Leafs to get any closer to the Stanley Cup. So far they are taking the right steps, even if the results don’t indicate any change from the past.

The past future is here…

In case you missed any of the past issues. Here is the complete archive: http://g3t.ca/GB1jPs

Trending this week…

This week brought us some interesting, note-worthy articles and news:

  • The BBC is crowdsourcing its archives. BBC identified over 4 million programs from 1923 to 2009. However, not everything has been recorded by the corporation. The BBC is hoping that people may have old recording in their attics and basements; and will uploaded them back to the BBC for everybody’s benefit.
  • If you live in Spain, you can significantly cut your electricity bill. How? By hacking into your smart meter. Simple reverse engineering allows people to spoof the communication that goes to the reporting facility. Considering how many utility companies are deploying smart meters, it is only a matter of time that we hear about more cases such as this one.
  • What follows Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean and KitKat? Lollipop, of course. It is the code name for the next software release by Google for its Android operating system. It powers all their mobile devices. Google developers are stuck in a sugar factory compared to Microsoft guys. They named a version of Windows OS after a pub in Whistler – ‘Longhorn’. Way cooler.
  • If you signed up for the Mars One expedition, the MIT researchers are giving you 68 days to enjoy Mars. That is the predicted life expectancy for the Mars One colonists. Mars One’s settlers will be selected from a reality show, with a final prize of a one-way trip to Mars. The first launch is planned for 2024. There is still some time to work out a few details.
  • When is a Poodle not a dog but a bug? When researchers find another security vulnerability in the encryption standard for SSL 3.0. If you are in charge of your webserver, switch to TLS.
  • South Korea is facing a major problem. According to the latest report, up to 80% of the 50 million people that live there, have had their personal details stolen. Even the president Park Geun-hye’s identity has been compromised.
  • Yahoo, K-Mart, Dairy Queen, Snapchat are the new members to join the exclusive club of hacked systems. Yahoo has been the most upfront about the entire system lapse, with the least amount of damage to its customers.
  • Microsoft made an extra $1 Billion last year. It got paid by Samsung for the use of its technology in its Android phones. Microsoft is most likely making more money from all the handset makers (HTC, LG, etc.) than from its own phones.
  • The police have to learn to secure mobile devices as evidence. If not properly shielded, the past owner can still remotely wipe them out.
  • Bitcoin hit the lowest exchange rate in the last 11 month.
  • Check out even more trending topics here –> http://g3t.ca/rT2j49 http://g3t.ca/o8qOzh