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 

Episode 295 — Car Speakers

speaker
Photo by Nao Triponez from Pexels

Michael and Michael get together to do some time traveling – through cities, food, television commercials and more.  The co-hosts start things off with Google Rә (a bit of a challenge to type that in!) which lets you move through time in a Google Maps style experience, and then turn down an alley with a memory of the Pace Picante sauce commercial from 1993.

Turning to the automotive audio world, Michael and Michael marvel at Continental’s ac2ated sound system — not Lincoln Continental as Michael M first thought! — which transforms the car itself into a speaker system.  Michael R is reminded of his experience with the Bass Egg Verb which operated on much the same principle.  Moving right along to 3D doodling, Michael R sees great progress in the 3Doodler Pro Plus from his original kickstarter edition.

After talking about the Miso Robotics implementation at White Castle, a bot named Flippy, Michael and Michael turn to the world of Apple, with stories about Clips and the new Apple One services bundle launch. 

Wrapping things up for this episode with block based stories, namely Minecraft and LEGO, the co-hosts express excitement about the LEGO Star Wars holiday special due to be released next month on Disney+.

Selected Links

Fast Company article: This incredible Google experiment lets you time travel to your hometown 200 years ago — https://www.fastcompany.com/90568911/this-incredible-google-experiment-lets-you-time-travel-to-your-hometown-200-years-ago 

Google Rә — https://re.city/#15/40.74096/-73.99254 

Texas Pete — https://texaspete.com 

Pace Picante Sauce — https://www.pacefoods.com/product-category/picante-sauce/ 

Car & Driver article: Continental Plays with the Future of Car Audio — https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a34451356/continental-plays-with-the-future-of-car-audio/ 

Continental’s ac2ated sound system — https://www.continental-automotive.com/en-gl/Passenger-Cars/Information-Management/Multimedia-Systems/Ac2ated-Sound 


Lincoln Continental — https://www.lincoln.com/luxury-cars/continental/features/design/ 

Contiental Automotive — https://www.continental-automotive.com/en-gl/ 

PC Magazine article: Bass Egg Verb Review — https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/bass-egg-verb 

The Verge article: 3Doodler Pro Plus is a refined version of the 3D-printing pen — https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/28/21539083/3doodler-pro-plus-pen-3d-printing-update-features 

TechCrunch article: White Castle rolls out more robots from Miso Robotics to cook in its kitchens — https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/white-castle-rolls-out-more-robots-from-miso-robotics-to-cook-in-its-kitchens/ 

Miso Robotics — https://misorobotics.com 

TechCrunch article: Apple eyes the TikTok generation with an updated version of Clips — https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/28/apple-eyes-the-tiktok-generation-with-an-updated-version-of-clips/ 

Apple Clips — https://www.apple.com/clips/ 

TechCrunch article: Apple One services subscription bundles start launching tomorrow — https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/29/apple-one-services-subscription-bundles-start-launching-tomorrow/ 

Gizmodo article: Are the Apple One Subscription Bundles Worth It?  Let’s Math It Out — https://gizmodo.com/are-the-apple-one-subscription-bundles-worth-it-lets-m-1845530831 

The Verge article: Minecraft will require a Microsoft account to play in 2021 — https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/22/21527647/minecraft-microsoft-account-mojang-java 

Minecraft — https://www.minecraft.net/en-us 

The Verge article: Build a video game like a LEGO set with this new Unity tool — https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/26/21535212/lego-microgame-unity-game-engine-programming 

Slashfilm article: ‘The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special’ Will Have Rey Fight Darth Vader and More Crossover Craziness — https://www.slashfilm.com/the-lego-star-wars-holiday-special-will-have-rey-fight-darth-vader-and-more-crossover-craziness/