Episode 299 — Ugly Sweaters

ugly sweater
Photo by Jessica Lewis from Pexels

Booting up for the holiday season involves decorating, shopping for gifts, and for some, finding the perfect ugly sweater.  Michael and Michael have found three good ones for Games At Work audience to consider, featuring themes from Microsoft MS Paint, Windows XP and Windows 95.  While there’s not a boot up sound to go with these sweaters, we’re sure that an enterprising listener can find a solution.  And part of the purchase price of these sweaters will go to support Girls Who Code.

Moving from MS Paint, the cohosts turn their attention to a painting from 1770, entitled “The Death of General Wolfe”.  The New York times does a fantastic job walking through the many details of the painting in their interactive article, reminding Michael R of the Prezi presentation software.

A perfect place to wear your favorite ugly sweater could be on your next video conference.  Michael and Michael discuss how AI can provide significant benefits to such online meetings, whether taking notes & summarizing the discussion, to improving engagement by better reacting to the meeting attendees.  The Ars Technica article is worth exploring.

Several tweets introduce some fun discussion – on playing a flight simulation game while on a flight, using LEGO bricks to learn braille and a StoryBundle with 95 books available for purchase.  The cohosts wrap up this episode with a discussion on TRON Legacy, and how DeepFake technology improves the young Jeff Bridges.

The next episode will be the big three-oh-oh!  Share your finds with the Games At Work team by dropping them a line on Twitter to @gamesatwork_biz and be part of this historic milestone! 

Selected Links

The Verge article: Microsoft is selling ugly Windows sweaters, and part of the proceeds benefit Girls Who Code — https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/1/21779499/microsoft-windows-ugly-sweater-paint-xp-95-girls-who-code 

XBOX Gear Shop — https://gear.xbox.com/pages/windows?ocid=Evergreen_soc_omc_xbo_tw_Photo_buy_HolidaySweater 

Girls Who Code — https://girlswhocode.com 

New York Times interactive article: The Myth of North America in One Painting — https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/25/arts/benjamin-west-general-wolfe.html 

Prezi — https://prezi.com 

Ars Technica article: AI can run your work meetings now — https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/11/ai-can-run-your-work-meetings-now/ 

Airplane Mode game — https://store.steampowered.com/app/931310/Airplane_Mode/

LEGO Braille Bricks — https://www.legobraillebricks.com 

StoryBundle — https://storybundle.com/games 

Slashfilm article: The Morning Watch: ‘TRON Legacy’ Updated with DeepFake, Looking Back at ‘Small Soldiers’ & More — https://www.slashfilm.com/morning-watch-tron-legacy-deepfake-looking-back-at-small-soldiers-and-more/

Episode 298 — Black Friday & Light Beer

black friday shopping bag and beer
Photos by Max Fischer from PexelsTembela Bohle from Pexels

With the recent launch of the new Sony and Microsoft gaming consoles, it’s no wonder that other companies wanted to get in on the fun.  Bud Light and Miller Light provide the subject for Michael, Michael and Andy to talk about to start up this week’s episode.  For those that are under travel restrictions, whether self-imposed or not, Jose Cuervo is providing a chance to send a cardboard cutout of you to your family gathering so that you can be there in spirit even if you can’t be there in person.  

With so many people working from their home office, we’ve talked about stories such as bringing the sounds of the office to the home, and in this episode, several examples of 2D representations of 3D spaces where the serendipity of walking past an open door might be an invitation to visit or collaborate with a coworker.  The examples of Gather, Huddle and Branch are discussed, and remind Michael and Michael of the conversations from way back in March of 2017 during episode 165, when they explored the Sococo environment.  Google Maps provides new guidance on the crowdedness of mass transit, and Fetch Robotics brings the Breezy One safe sanitation robot to workspaces.

For this week in Star Wars, there are a couple of stories: Minecraft now offering 12 Star Wars planets to explore, replete with spacecraft, skins, droids and more.  Also on the docket was a trailer to a new documentary on the nearly universally decried holiday special (not the new LEGO one) and why it was actually fit for purpose.  Speaking of LEGO, the company has unveiled the newest, largest LEGO set ever – an amazingly huge model of the Colosseum in Rome with over 9k bricks.

Winding up this week are a couple of Slashfilm stories – one on the potential continuation of The Venture Bros (Go Team Venture) and the reboot of the Animaniacs over on Hulu.

What will you be watching for on Black Friday this year?  Share your finds with the Games At Work team by dropping them a line on Twitter to @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Selected Links

The Verge article: Bud Light made a video game console that also cools two beers — https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/17/21571448/bud-light-bl6-console-tekken-soulcalibur 

Cantroller by Miller Lite — https://www.millerlite.com/cantroller

The Verge article: As the pandemic continues, cleaning robots are showing up for duty at the office — https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/18/21573053/cleaning-robots-autonomous-covid-19-coronavirus-uv-foggers-offices-breezy-one 

Fetch Robotics Breezy One — https://fetchrobotics.com/breezyone/ 

TechCrunch article: Virtual HQs race to win over a remote-work-fatigued market — https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/18/virtual-hqs-race-to-win-over-a-remote-work-fatigued-market/ 

Gather — https://gather.town 

Huddle — https://www.huddlehq.io 

Branch — https://branch.gg 

Sococo — https://www.sococo.com/ 

Episode 165 – Virtual Math — https://gamesatwork.biz/2017/03/13/episode-165-virtual-math/ 

MacRumors article: Google Maps Gains Real-Time ‘Crowdedness’ Transit Data, Live Food Delivery Status, and More — https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/17/google-maps-crowdedness-data-food-delivery/ 

TechCrunch article: You can now embed Apple Podcasts on the web — https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/16/you-can-now-embed-apple-podcasts-on-the-web/ 

The Verge article: Star Wars comes to Minecraft — https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/17/21571450/minecraft-star-wars-dlc-pack-game-skins-map-features 

Slashfilm article: ‘A Disturbance in the Force’ Trailer: A Documentary That Investigates the Infamous ‘Star Wars Holiday Special’ — https://www.slashfilm.com/a-disturbance-in-the-force-trailer/ 

Mashable article: Lego unveils new Colosseum set, its largest yet, with 9,000-plus pieces — https://mashable.com/article/lego-colosseum-largest-set/ 

Slashfilm article: HBO Max is Working to Save ‘The Venture Bros.’ After Its Recent Cancelation by Adult Swim — https://www.slashfilm.com/hbo-max-working-save-the-venture-bros/ 

Slashfilm article: ‘Animaniacs’ Reboot Review: The Warners Don’t Miss a Step in This Sharp, Hilarious and Zany Comeback — https://www.slashfilm.com/hulu-animaniacs-reboot-review/ 

Episode 297 — Big in Hungary

Buda Castle at night from Pest
Photo by Michael Martine, Budapest, September 2012

After discussing how Games at Work could be so popular in Hungary — at least based on an email received at Games at Work world headquarters, Michael and Michael jump into NC State’s virtual world experience — a digital Brickyard.  

A story about how the structure of cars may be the next batteries then captures the co-hosts’ attention, with some intriguing implications for electrifying aircraft.  

Michael and Michael would like to give a shout out to the team over at Rogue Amoeba for having their Audio Hijack software working at 100% with the Apple Big Sur update, and put it to the test in recording this week’s episode.  Speaking of new shiny Apple products, the comparison between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lends to speculation on how to get even stronger performance from the MacBook Air.  Michael M admires the new HomePod Mini, but is happy with his existing HomePod.

Wrapping things up, Michael and Michael discuss the Nintendo throwback Game & Watch is a fun way for those that cannot lay their hands on a Nintendo Switch to get some Super Mario Brothers action.

Ending the show in the traditional friendly Hungarian way, Michael M says “Szia!”  Want to say hello to the co-hosts in your favorite language?  Drop them a line on Twitter to @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Selected Links

NC State University Brickyard Broadcast — Premiere Event Nov. 12 — https://music.arts.ncsu.edu/brickyard-broadcast/ 

Admirable Melodic Camp | Hubs by Mozilla — https://hub.link/jMQvuoN 

Ars Technica article: Carmakers want to ditch battery packs, use auto bodies for energy storage — https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/11/carmakers-want-to-ditch-battery-packs-use-auto-bodies-for-energy-storage/ 

IMDb Planes, Trains and Automobiles — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093748/ 

The Verge article: The biggest difference between the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is a fan — https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/10/21559228/apple-new-macbook-air-pro-difference-arm-m1-fan-thermal-performance 

The Verge article: Apple HomePod Mini Review: Playing Small Ball — https://www.theverge.com/21561589/apple-homepod-mini-review 

The Verge article: Nintendo’s new Game & Watch handheld proves the company goes its own way — https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/13/21562549/nintendo-game-and-watch-super-mario-bros-next-gen-consoles 

Mowing Simulator — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222320/Mowing_Simulator/

Rogue Amoeba — https://rogueamoeba.com 

Episode 296 — Soothing Soles

Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash

Andy Piper rejoins Michael and Michael for this week’s episode, which pivots between AI, haptics, shoes, security and a plethora of game recommendations.  

Starting things off with artificial intelligence stories, the first is from the wide world of sports, where the AI controlled camera winds up following what it believes is the ball, but turns out to be the head of the linesman. The second focuses on the power of visual AI for improving health outcomes, which has a very long history over the past several years.

Music can be be soothing or exciting, and even more so when experienced through the soles of your feet.  DropLabs’ EP-01 speaker sneakers provide a toe-tapping way to feel the beat by creating vibrations that synchronize with the audio you’re listening to in order to create a more immersive experience.  This reminded the co-hosts of Ian Hughes’ experience with the Woojer Edge vest.

After taking a quick look at the new Raspberry Pi computer in a keyboard, Michael, Andy and Michael discuss the security implications of how shoulder movements, coupled with a dictionary can create a way to identify what someone is typing while on a video conference call.

Then, games – games to relax and soothe, games to simulate and games to challenge.  While putting together the show notes for this episode, even more games were added to the mix.  

Wrapping up with the LEGO ideas example of the double helix and newest Ghostbusters Ecto-1, Michael, Michael and Andy close out with the just-released trailer for the Star Wars Holiday Special.

Check out the show notes below – even more than usual because of the number of games you should try out!  What are your favorite examples of AI gone right – or wrong?  Let the co-hosts know by dropping a line on Twitter to @gamesatwork_biz ! 

Selected Links

SB Nation article: Soccer match ruled when AI-controlled camera mistakes ref’s bald head for ball — https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2020/10/30/21541962/soccer-match-ai-camera-bald-head-ball 

USA Today article: Your best tool for cancer prevention and early detection might already be in the palm of your hand — https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2020/11/01/how-your-phone-can-help-prevent-skin-cancer-early-detection/6073075002/ 

ScienceDaily article: The skin cancer selfie: Gigapixel camera helps diagnose early — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141006114113.htm 

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center article: Noninvasive Imaging Tools Enable Better Detection of Skin Cancer — https://www.mskcc.org/news/noninvasive-imaging-tools-enable-better-detection-skin 

Oncology Nurse Advisor article: Use of Artificial Intelligence on Camera-Based Images of Skin Lesions Shows Promise in the Diagnosis of Melanoma — https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/home/cancer-types/melanoma/use-of-ai-on-camera-based-images-of-skin-lesions-promising-in-melanoma-diagnosis/ 

The Verge article: DropLabs’ EP-01 speaker shoes make for an excellent VR accessory — https://www.theverge.com/21540805/droplabs-ep-01-speaker-shoes-virbrating-bass-review-virtual-reality-gaming 

DropLabs — https://www.droplabs.com 

Feeding Edge blog post: Addicted to bass – Woojer haptics — https://www.feedingedge.co.uk/blog/2020/06/17/addicted-to-bass-woojer-haptics/ 

Woojer — https://www.woojer.com 

Ars Technica article: Raspberry Pi 400 review — the under-$100 desktop PC you didn’t know you needed — https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/11/raspberry-pi-400-the-under-100-desktop-pc-you-didnt-know-you-needed/ 

Schneier on Security blog post: Determining What Video Conference Participants Are Typing from Watching Shoulder Movements — https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/11/determining-what-video-conference-participants-are-typing-from-watching-shoulder-movements.html 

Kotaku article: Relax, With A Game About Owning A Fish Tank — https://kotaku.com/relax-with-a-game-about-owning-a-fish-tank-1845576160 

Blinkclick games — http://blinkclickgames.com 

Sixcolors article: Another Apple event is coming Nov. 10! — https://sixcolors.com/post/2020/11/another-apple-event-is-coming-nov-10/ 

MacRumors article: Narrative Adventure Game ‘South of the Circle’ Out Now on Apple Arcade — https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/30/adventure-game-south-of-the-circle-apple-arcade/ 

PC Gamer article: Neo Cab demo lets you try your hand at cyberpunk taxi driving — https://www.pcgamer.com/neo-cab-demo-lets-you-try-your-hand-at-cyberpunk-taxi-driving/ 

The Verge article: Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows on Apple Arcade is a surprisingly chill strategy game — https://www.theverge.com/21365603/game-of-thrones-got-tale-of-crows-review-apple-arcade-iphone-ipad 

LEGO Ideas: LEGO DNA Double Helix Discovery — https://ideas.lego.com/projects/5bd5311e-5078-4a7b-8763-e9cfd8a38c42 

Gizmodo article: LEGO’s New 2,352-Piece Ecto-1 Will Fill the Ghostbusters-Sized Hole Left by the Sequel’s Delay — https://io9.gizmodo.com/legos-new-2-352-piece-ecto-1-will-fill-the-ghostbusters-1845582434 

Reebok Ghostbusters Ghost Smashers sneakers — https://www.reebok.com/us/ghostbusters-ghost-smashers-men-s-shoes/FY2106.html 

Slashfilm article: ‘LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special’ Trailer: ’Twas the Night Before Life Day… — https://www.slashfilm.com/lego-star-wars-holiday-special-trailer/ 

Games!

Fishkeeper — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1425780/Fishkeeper/ 

Mowing Simulator — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222320/Mowing_Simulator/

Virtual Cottage — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1369320/Virtual_Cottage/ 

Little Computer People — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Computer_People 

Neo Cab — https://neocabgame.com 

Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows — https://www.devolverdigital.com/games/game-of-thrones-tale-of-crows 

Coffee Talk — http://coffeetalk.info 

Beyond Blue — https://www.beyondbluegame.com 

LEGO Legacy Heroes Unboxed — https://www.lego.com/en-us/categories/games/apps/legacy