Alibaba and Ford have created a vending machine for cars in China

Photo from AlibabaFord is often at the forefront of technology and innovation. From self-driving car and safety technology to spearheading various hybrid and EV initiatives, the carmarker wants to be in the discussion no matter what the future of cars is. A bold new vending machine for Ford cars in China, which was created in tandem with Alibaba is turning the car buying process on its head.

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Lower cost iPads with Apple Pencil support expected at next week's announcement

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple is expected to unveil refreshed iPad at its education event next week. Not only are these iPads expected to have updated specs, they could likely be the first non-Pro iPads to be compatible with Apple Pencil as per KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo who noted “the new low-price 9.7-inch iPad ... will likely support Apple Pencil.”

The education event is expected to kick off various education-focused strategies and products from Apple. Not only is this the first Apple Special Event for 2018, it is also a return to form for the company that's had a strong educational push in its DNA. Apple, after all, has always designed products for students, and the educational sector. iBooks and MacBooks (later on MacBook Airs) have always been popular with students and iPads enjoyed early success and adoption in schools.

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Sonos pulling out ads from Facebook and donating money to rights activists

The fallout continues from Facebook's involvement in enabling Cambridge Analytics to illegally mine data from millions of Facebook users without their consent, possibly violating various privacy agreements. Facebook is scrambling to respond while it is being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission and other privacy commissions in other countries. Meanwhile a strong #DeleteFacebook movement is gaining ground among users and is even backed by the founder of messaging app WhatsApp, which was bough by Facebook in 2014. Up to 3,000 brands are threatening to pull investment in Facebook.

Sonos has announced that it will halt advertising with Facebook as a result of the investigations into Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. 

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Microsoft's Future Now Conference discusses the implications of AI on business and society

“Today’s technologies can be used to amplify human ingenuity.”-Microsoft Canada’s VP of Marketing Emma Da SilvaBy Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing.  These were once all theoretical buzzwords bordering on science fiction and pertaining to the ideals of a far off future. These concepts, however, are very much in practice today and at an exponential rate which will not only change the way businesses operate, but will also transform society, jobs and the workplace as well as various industries.

Microsoft Canada took to the historic Carlu events venue to discuss the Future Now with various experts in applied sciences, AI and other related fields to shed clarity, insight and understanding in these emerging technologies.

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