Episode 345 – Icelandverse

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Reykjavík, Iceland
Photo by Evelyn Paris on Unsplash

Icelandverse, metaverses, NVIDIA Omniverse, getting FRKE with LEGO, AirTags new functionality in iOS 15.2 beta, thoughts to text and more.

The full compliment of co-hosts start things off with a metaverse world so real, you can actually go there on a plane.  Icelandverse by Visit Iceland is a very funny take on the recent announcement video by Meta.  There are several additional metaverse articles in the show notes.  The co-hosts also discuss Nvidia’s new platform for creating interactive AI avatars called NVIDA Omniverse. 

Next up, Michael, Andy and Michael talk about the sale of Weta Digital’s VFX division to Unity and marvel at the high purchase price.

Then, an Inc article about LEGO’s customer service captures the attention of the co-hosts.  The mnemonic from LEGO is FRKE, which stands for fun, reliable, knowledgeable and engaging. Michael R says that he’s taken advantage of the customer service to request a missing part of his space shuttle build.  And speaking of big builds, LEGO is offering some exciting and expensive builds such as the Creator Expert LEGO Titanic and the Star Wars AT-AT.  

Following up on an earlier episode’s AirTags discussion, there’s an update in the most recent iOS 15.2 beta that allows the user to discover items that can track you via Find My.  Also in the Apple ecosystem, Vanarama imagines what an Apple Car might look like based on the patents Apple has filed.  

Following an intriguing tweet on thoughts to text, the co-hosts cover a couple of upcoming movies and a game to close out the show.

Seen another interesting metaverse you’d like to have an in depth discussion?  Let us know over at @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Thanks for listening!

Visit Iceland — https://www.visiticeland.com 

The New York Times article: Are We in the Metaverse Yet? — https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/style/metaverse-virtual-worlds.html?referringSource=articleShare 

Quartz article: The metaverse will mostly be for work — https://qz.com/2083099/the-metaverse-will-mostly-be-for-work/ 

The Atlantic article: Hey, Facebook, I Made a Metaverse 27 Years Ago — https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2021/10/facebook-metaverse-was-always-terrible/620546/ 

The Verge article: Nvidia wants to fill the virtual and physical worlds with AI avatars — https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/9/22770165/nvidia-omniverse-avatar-technology-virtual-agents 

NVIDIA newsroom: NVIDIA Announces Platform for Creating AI Avatars — https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-platform-for-creating-ai-avatars

Collider article: Peter Jackson Selling Weta Digital’s VFX Division to Unity for $1.625 Billion — https://collider.com/peter-jackson-selling-weta-digital-unity/ 

Inc article: Lego Customers Lose Millions of Pieces a Year. The Company’s 4-Word Response Is the Best I’ve Ever Seen — https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/lego-customers-lose-millions-of-pieces-a-year-companys-4-word-response-is-best-ive-ever-seen.html 

The Verge article: Lego’s new $800 AT-AT is practically big enough to conquer a real-life Rebel base — https://www.theverge.com/22772264/lego-star-wars-at-at-ultimate-collectors-edition-ucs-price-release-date-bricks 

LEGO Titanic — https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/lego-titanic-10294?ef_id=8f136bf39ed318a131350a620477453a%3AG%3As&s_kwcid=AL%21790%2110%2181707550309898%2181707663550274 

Trusted Reviews article: Apple iOS 15.2 to add new shield from AirTags stalking — https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apple-ios-15-2-to-add-new-shield-from-airtags-stalking-4178831 

MacRumors article: iOS 15.2 Beta: How to Use Find My to Locate Items That Can Track You — https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/iphone-find-items-that-can-track-you/ 

Vanarama experience: The Apple Car — https://www.vanarama.com/car-interiors-created-by-tech-giants/#intro 

The Verge article: Merry Cringemas, here is a bad trailer for a worse movie about Nintendo — https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/4/22763449/8-bit-christmas-trailer-neil-patrick-harris-hbo-max-movie 

The Verge article: Elden Ring Hands-On: An Open World So Pretty You Won’t Mind Dying A Lot — https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/10/22774836/elden-ring-fromsoftware-hands-on-preview 

Slashfilm article: Dungeons & Dragons: Release Date, Cast, And More — https://www.slashfilm.com/658391/dungeons-dragons-release-date-cast-and-more/

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Episode 344 – Car Play Diem

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toy car
Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

Seizing the day with multiple reboots, including the metaverse, Meta, Mercedes, Macs, and even Babylon 5.

Michael, Michael and Andy seize the day to start off this episode with a discussion on the merits of action games and learning effectiveness.  The article makes an interesting comparison between action video games and and “non-action” games played by a control group.  Such non-action games included Sims 3 and Zoo Tycoon.

Turing from one meta-analysis to an analysis of Meta, the co-hosts consider the newly named company, Meta (formerly known as Facebook).  The co-hosts were quick to point out that Meta plans to implement several of the ideas raised on prior Games At Work episodes, such as having a work Meta account for business users that is separate and distinct from personal accounts.

As a practical, but expensive, use of mixed reality, Michael, Michael and Andy take a look at the Mercedes augmented reality experience in the new EQS.  Wayfinding using the AR HUD in this automobile superimposes arrows so you know precisely where to turn to get where you’re going.  And as a visual indicator of the EQS radar and camera tracking vehicle in front of it, a green orb appears under the car.  It is simple to draw an analogy to a video game with this AR HUD, and clear to see the influence of games.

Other topics covered in this episode include a clear decision tree for the new Apple MacBook Pro laptops with their recently announced silicon.  A Kickstarter by Throwboy for some software (pillow) versions of iconic Macs gets the attention of the co-hosts, as does teenage engineering’s mini-ITX PC.  There’s progress in the right to repair in the United States, Palms new earbuds are announced, and Slashfilm has some top tips for those new to the Babylon 5 franchise in preparation for the reboot.

Hope that everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! 

Seen another interesting company, automobile, computer or television show reboot?  Let us know over at @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Thanks for listening!

Kotaku article: Want To Learn More? Take A Break And Play An Action Game — https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/10/action-game-learning-to-learn/ 

communications biology article: Action video game play facilitates “learning to learn” — https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-021-02652-7 

The Verge article: Facebook’s Oculus Quest will soon be called the Meta Quest — https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/28/22751220/facebook-portal-oculus-quest-meta-horizon-renaming 

The Globe and Mail article: Augmented-reality changes how you drive in the all-electric 2022 EQS from Mercedes — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/reviews/article-augmented-reality-changes-how-you-drive-in-the-all-electric-2022-eqs/ 

Podfeet Podcasts article: M1 Pro and M1 Max Decision Tree — a Diagram of Every Configuration — https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2021/10/m1-pro-max-diagram/ 

Kickstarter: The Iconic Pillow Collection 2 by Throwboy — https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/throwboy/the-iconic-pillow-collection-2-by-throwboy 

Input article: Teenage Engineering’s jaw-dropping ‘computer—1’ PC case sells out in minutes — https://www.inputmag.com/design/teenage-engineering-computer-1-mini-itx-pc-case 

teenage engineering — https://teenage.engineering 

The Verge article: The US Copyright Office just struck a blow supporting the right to repair — https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/27/22747310/us-copyright-office-dmca-section-1201-exemption-rulemaking-report 

The Verge article: Palm’s brand resuscitated again for true wireless earbuds — https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26/22745711/palm-buds-pro-announced-pricing-features 

Slashfilm article: Babylon 5: What New Fans Need To Know Before The Reboot — https://www.slashfilm.com/643265/babylon-5-what-new-fans-need-to-know-before-the-reboot/ 

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Episode 343 – Walking to Mordor

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walking
Photo by Olia Gozha on Unsplash

Manual quantified self accounting of walking to Mordor, Raspberry Pi + LEGO, Doom port to checkboxes, beer management flight simulators, Ask Delphi and oh so much more! 

Andy and Michael M get start off this week’s episode with an important question: does one simply walk to Mordor?  They receive a resounding answer of ‘yes’ if you’re looking implement a quantified self practice for your exercise and are a huge Lord of the Rings fan.  Even Delphi gets in on the act – but more on that later.  In order to play the game, one also needs to time travel, because with all the attention on this app, it attracted the attention of the rights holder, and has been withdrawn.  Too bad really.

Raspberry Pi + LEGO?  Yes, yes, and oh yes!  With the newest crossover Build HAT, one can simply attach LEGO Technic motors and sensors to Raspberry Pis.  HAT stands for Hardware Attached on Top, and is a board that allows control of up to four Technic motors and sensors.  Naturally, Andy is very excited about this and cannot wait to get started.  

Another thing that long time listeners will know about Andy is that he loves Doom ports, and this week’s episode has a doozie.  You can play Doom using checkboxes in a browser.  Check out the link below to see the gameplay.

Michael M was excited about a new multiplayer supply chain game (simulation) called The Beergame.  This game has its origins in the 1960s MIT role playing game called The Beer Distribution Game, and allows the players to take on the role of the Retailer, Wholesaler, Distributor or Brewer and showcases the interrelationships between each of these parties.  Check out the paper (link in show notes below) by Professor John D Sterman of MIT about how this game played out in his classroom.  

An intriguing discussion then begins around the Ask Delphi computational model for descriptive ethics.  Give this a listen and try out Ask Delphi for yourself.  

Rounding out this week’s show are articles on ransomware hitting a candy company at Halloween, exclusive podcast content on Spotify, and Peppa Pig on Stadia.

Have another way to gameify walking or beer distribution?  Let us know over at @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Thanks for listening!

Selected Links

C|Net article: This Lord of the Rings app is the only thing getting me to exercise — https://www.cnet.com/news/this-lord-of-the-rings-app-is-the-only-thing-getting-me-to-exercise/ 

Walk to Mordor on Apple App store (not available) — https://apps.apple.com/ee/app/walk-to-mordor/id1228135325 

Walk to Mordor on Google Play (not available either) — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.walktomordor.wtm&hl=en&gl=US 

Walk to Mordor — https://walktomordor.com 

Quantified Self — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantified_self 

Raspberry Pi article: Meet the Raspberry Pi Build HAT: create with Raspberry Pi and LEGO Education — https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/raspberry-pi-build-hat-lego-education/ 

The Verge article: This Raspberry Pi add-on lets you control LEGO Robots — https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/19/22729239/raspberry-pi-build-hat-lego-technic-spike-education-python 

Hackaday article: Play Doom Using Web Browser Checkboxes (finally) — https://hackaday.com/2021/10/18/play-doom-using-web-browser-checkboxes-finally/ 

NPR article: Online game lets you experience the supply-chain crunch through beer sales — https://www.npr.org/2021/10/22/1048289011/online-game-lets-you-experience-the-supply-chain-crunch-through-beer-sales 

Beergame App — https://beergameapp.com 

Teaching Takes Off Flight Simulators for Management Education — https://web.mit.edu/jsterman/www/SDG/beergame.html 

Ask Delphi — https://delphi.allenai.org 

Ask Delphi whether one should simply walk to Mordor — https://delphi.allenai.org/?a1=does+one+simply+walk+to+mordor%3F+%0A 

NBC News article: Sticky business: Ransomware hits U.S. candymaker ahead of Halloween — https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/ransomware-hits-us-candymaker-ahead-halloween-rcna3391 

Ferrara brands — https://www.ferrarausa.com/brands.html 

Wired article: Spotify is breaking podcasts — https://www.wired.co.uk/article/spotify-exclusive-podcasts

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Episode 342 — Oculus View Source

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Photo by Florian Olivo on Unsplash

HTML, VR, TOTP, AI, OS, EVE & TOSY.  Tons of acronyms, technologies, operating systems, security and one cool frisbee.  

Michael and Michael start things off with a article about how the Governor of Missouri reacted at a press conference when a journalist reported that personal information was contained in the HTML source of an official Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.  Check out the link in the show notes for some of the interesting responses from developers, the press, security and privacy advocates to the Governor’s comments.  This spurred a conversation about the Internet being compared to a series of tubes.

In VR and training news, Accenture bets big with Oculus, reportedly acquiring 60,000 units of the Facebook-powered headsets.  As these headsets require a Facebook ID to function, the co-hosts ponder whether this means there will be a corporate or private Facebook cloud, or if this means that the users will sign in with their own Facebook IDs.  

In AI news, there are reports of people living on/near 15th Avenue in San Francisco, which has been inundated with self-driving cars recently.  Because of SFO’s “Slow Streets” structure, which discourage through traffic on certain designated streets, autonomous cars are diverted just like regular drivers are, and sometimes need to make a u-turn.  This reminds Michael M of the Mini Motorways game on Apple Arcade. 

Security features once more in this episode, this time with a story dealing with two factor authentication that does not rely on SMS texts.  TOTP (Time-based One-Time Passwords) are now supported by iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and Safari 15 in macOS.  Check out the referenced TidBits article below to learn all about how easy it is to enable such two factor authentication.  

Articles on the latest from Palm (earbuds), Windows 11 gaming optimization, EVE Online made available natively on macOS round out the news.  The episode closes with a remembrance of Ruthie Tompson who made her mark on animation in a big way, and a Kickstarter campaign for an AI & LED powered frisbee.

Playing EVE Online on Mac?  Let us know over at @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Thanks for listening!

Selected Links

Mashable article: Confused governor says looking at webpage’s HTML is criminal hacking — https://mashable.com/article/missouri-governor-mike-parson-reporter-html-hacking

Virtual Reality World Tech article: Accenture acquires 60,000 Oculus Quest 2 headsets for training — https://vrworldtech.com/2021/10/15/accenture-acquires-60000-oculus-quest-2-headsets-for-training/ 

The Times article: Streets of San Francisco stump Google self-driving cars — https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/streets-san-francisco-stump-google-self-driving-cars-z9t6x2k0f 

NPR article: Self-driving Waymo cars gather in a San Francisco neighborhood, confusing residents — https://www.npr.org/2021/10/16/1046752123/self-driving-cars-waymo-san-francisco 

Mini Motorways on Apple Arcade — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mini-motorways/id1453901000 

TidBits article: Add Two-Factor Codes to Password Entries in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and Safari 15 — https://tidbits.com/2021/10/07/add-two-factor-codes-to-password-entries-in-ios-15-ipados-15-and-safari-15/ 

Gizmodo article: Palm Is Trying to Make a Comeback, This Time With a Pair of Earbuds — https://gizmodo.com/palm-is-trying-to-make-a-comeback-this-time-with-a-pai-1847862679 

PC Gamer article: Optimize Windows 11 for gaming — https://www.pcgamer.com/windows-11-gaming-optimization/ 

iMore article: EVE Online is now fully native on Mac — https://www.imore.com/eve-online-now-fully-native-mac 

Slashfilm article: Ruthie Tompson, Disney Animation Pioneer, Dies at 111 — https://www.slashfilm.com/630089/ruthie-tompson-disney-animation-pioneer-dies-at-111/ 

Kickstarter: TOSY: Smart Golf Disc & 360 LED Flying Disc & Boomerang — https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tosyflyingduo/tosy-flying-duo-360-leds-flying-disc-and-patented-boomerang 

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