Comments Off on Episode 341 – Speeding into Gaming
Photo by Michael Rowe
Andy and Michael R. go deep talking about gaming. But before we delve into that, we recognize the 10 year anniversary of the passing of Steve Jobs, and another sad day as Germany looks to possibly put a national speed limit on the autobahn.
Looking at a lifehacker article on how to install the latest version of macOS on older (unsupported) Apple computers triggers a discussion on Hackintosh computers, and the problems of long distance tech support.
Going deep on a few games, Amazon’s – New World, Blizzard’s – World of Warcraft (Shadowlands), and Epic’s PC Building Simulator, drives an analysis of player behavior and the problems with bots. We discuss how the gaming mechanics and structure of the game can lead to bad behavior by design. Michael R. brings up his bias of PvE (Player verses Environment) versus PvP (Player versus Player), and how a PvP end game can cause for bad social behavior.
Tiny tech, form of Atari 2600, Game Boy, Amazon Astro robot & phones, responsible metaverse construction, so much good tv, and amazing LEGO sets
This week’s episode is all about tiny tech. Starting things off on the right foot with Andy rejoining Michael and Michael, the co-hosts examine a range of products and Kickstarters that are small but mighty. There are miniature gaming consoles like the Atari 2600, and Game Boy. Some examples of the Game Boy platform are small enough to fit on a keychain, and still play games. Andy points out that there’s even a Kickstarter for a Game Boy productivity suite. Andy shares several of the projects he’s been working on – check out the show notes for the details! Michael M just couldn’t resist including the Zoolander reference to movie’s miniature cell phone, and recent trends toward smaller tech devices in general.
Continuing the conversation that has played out in recent weeks, the co-hosts discuss Facebook’s plans for the responsible build out of the metaverse using the Fast Company and Verge articles as springboards.
On the robotic front, Michael, Michael and Andy consider the recently announced Amazon Astro home droid. Discussing the price point for being a beta tester for this new robot, Michael R makes the point that the expense of such latest greatest tech is right around USD 1500, and notes that is what he paid for his Google Glass hardware. The Gitamini robot is also in that range.
Rounding out the episode, the co-hosts marvel at the veritable plethora of television shows available on so many platforms (AppleTV, Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc) and the challenges of navigating through them. When a person wants to find a show to watch, the recommendation engines from each of the platforms are sure to provide ideas that keep you on the platform – but that doesn’t solve the problem. In the US, this challenge was solved with the TV Guide magazine years ago, but that was well before cable, and all of the streaming platforms existed. With the pandemic, it is easy to understand that people are more interested in staying at home and binge watching through seasons of content. Being able to do so together with friends and family – touched upon in last week’s episode with the upcoming SharePlay – will help make remote watching a more social event done together instead of asynchronously. How are you choosing what to watch, and whom to watch it with?
Last, LEGO has dropped a couple of new builds that have to be seen to be believed. The Nintendo 64 Question Mark Block is an engineering feat, and the miniaturized (there’s that theme again) LEGO Ideas Fender Stratocaster guitar is rockin’ awesome. Check out the links in the show notes below.
What tiny tech are you working or playing with? Let us know over at @gamesatwork_biz !
LEGO at work, personal laptops, Sinclair, games for mental health, Diablo II: Resurrected, social media surveillance and iOS15.
Michael and Michael start things off right, with a very tangible example of playing games at work. More precisely, playing with LEGO sets at work, and the power of taking breaks. After a remembrance of Clive Sinclair, and his electric vehicle, the co-hosts turn to mental health games. Michael R play tested The Guardian, which offers the player quests to improve their mental health. This is a similar game dynamic as Pokemon Go, which encourages outdoor exercise to advance the game. After discussing The Guardian, Michael and Michael remember several other gamified ways to get things done, like SuperBetter, Chore Wars and Sneaky Cards.
Staying on the games theme, Michael and Michael discuss Diablo II: Resurrected before turning to an interesting case before the Massachusetts Supreme Court dealing with social media surveillance.
Wrapping things up for this week, Michael and Michael reflect on what’s in iOS 15 and what is still to come – specifically, SharePlay and Universal Control.
There’s even more links in the extended remix section, including Gitamini, the robot that influenced the title of this episode. Check ‘em out!
conditions of carriage changes, Apple Watch chip, determining computer generated faces and TV antennas making a comeback
Michael and Michael start off with a ZD Net report about American Airline’s changes to the conditions of carriage, which spell out the contract between a passenger and the airline. The recent updates are something else.
Next up is an iMore article about the Apple Watch Series 7, and Michael R gives an interesting perspective on why it may be using the same chip as the Series 6. Continuing on this theme, a discussion on the challenges of measuring blood pressure without a cuff, and what the future may hold with smartwatches.
Then, a short post about how computer generated faces can be easily identified. The answer may surprise you. And in the continuing cat and mouse game, this particular differentiator may be rapidly corrected.
Rounding out this week’s episode is a short take on an article about Twitter Super Follows, one about why TV antennas are making a comeback now, and an advance look at the upcoming Hawkeye show.
Do you have a set of rabbit ears attached to your TV? Let us know over at @gamesatwork_biz !
