e468 — Andy’s Fun Time

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Flappy Bird arcade game
Flappy Bird Arcade Game photo by Andy Piper June 2024

Published 10 June 2024

Andy and Michael R get together to talk through this week’s articles.  In this episode, the team discusses virtual reality work, entertainment and games along with space science.

Andy starts things off with his recent experiences at the Electromagnetic Field festival.  With great examples of Flappy Bird, Asteroids and more, he shares what he saw at the festival.

Following the festival, there are a tremendous set of AR / VR stories ranging from how Ikea is staffing their virtual Roblox stores, to simulating jobs and unique storytelling from Marvel with the Vision Pro.

Space is the place for Games at Work – and two articles in particular capture the attention of the co-hosts this week, including one from NASA about Vulcan, and another from Popular Mechanics on how interstellar travel may work.

Wrapping up this episode are a couple of links, dealing with a new open-world racing game and a database of GIF banners.

What’s your favorite 88×31 GIF?  Have your bots 🤖 drop our bots 🤖 a line at @gamesatwork_biz (our home for now) and let us know! 

These show notes were lovingly hand crafted by a real human, and not by a bot.  All rights reserved.  That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

Selected Article Links

I was so excited I forgot to add the video! This is a single 7.5W laser running at 30kHz sample rate, the tracking is essentially a travelling salesman algorithm. Oh and the laser control software is all Seb’s too. Go check out Seb’s work! Truly terrific stuff seblee.co

— Andy Herd 🏳️‍🌈🌳 (@herdingdata) 2024-05-31T23:41:42.394Z

Electromagnetic Field Shadowplay installation

Wikipedia article: Electromagnetic Field festival 

Andy’s Electromagnetic Field Talk: Where is the Art? Pen plotters and the history of computer art

Games at Work e367: Pointless Terrifying Tech

AR / VR 

Wired article: Ikea Will Pay You Real Money to Work in Its Virtual Roblox Store

Sixcolors article: Review: “What If?” shows off the Vision Pro’s strengths

The Verge article: Marvel’s What If…? Vision Pro app is an awkward mix of video game and movie

9 to 5 Mac article: Popular VR game ‘Job Simulator’ comes to Apple Vision Pro

9 to 5 Mac article: VR role-playing game ‘Demeo’ now available for Apple Vision Pro

Space

NASA article: Discovery Alert: Spock’s Home Planet Goes ‘Poof’

Popular Mechanics article: A Groundbreaking Scientific Discovery Just Gave Humanity the Keys to Interstellar Travel

Two last things

The Verge article: Amazon is publishing new open-world racer from former Forza developers

The 88×31 GIF Banner Database

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e467 — Total Recall

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reel to reel recorder
Photo by Ingo Schulz on Unsplash

Published 27 May 2024

Michael R and Andy get together to talk through this week’s articles.  In this episode, the team talks about the Daylight DC-1 computer, Welsh and Korean metaverse examples, AI and much more.

The co-hosts start things off with the Daylight DC-1 computer – a tablet that tempted both Andy and Michael to hit the buy button because it is an easy to use, calming e-ink computer that can be used inside and outside.  They resist (for now) though may change their minds later on.

Wales and Korea loom large in the metaverse this week – check out the show notes for examples of them.

One of the stories circulating this week deals with the suggestion of using (non-toxic) glue to make cheese stick better to pizza.  If you want the original Google searches without additional AI, you can add an additional query parameter to suppress the AI.

Microsoft’s new Recall Feature reminds the team of Rewind, a capability discussed in episodes 391 and 435.  Also featured in this episode is an example of how Copilot is working within the context of a Minecraft experience, with the helpful Copilot suggesting what is needed to craft a sword.  One can imagine the 2024 version of Zork’s “maximum verbosity” to control the level of help the AI may provide when playing a complex game, adapting to the user’s success or frustration in executing specific tasks.

What searches have you scratching your head this week?  Have your bots 🤖 drop our bots 🤖 a line at @gamesatwork_biz (our home for now) and let us know! 

These show notes were lovingly hand crafted by a real human, and not by a bot.  All rights reserved.  That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

Selected Article Links

Calm Tech

Daylight Computer

Boy Genius Report article:  Daylight’s new $729 computer ditches blue light for a paper-like display

Metaverse

Wales has launched their own "metaverse" and it is indistinguishable from Second Life circa 2006.

There is a big dragon. There are small dragons. You can ride a cable car. I have met exactly one other player.

visitwales.com/metaverse

— Jonty Wareing (@jonty) 2024-05-18T17:57:03.517Z

Cymru Wales Metaverse

GamingPH article: InZoi, a Life-Simulation Game like The Sims, but with a Korean Twist

InZoi

OpenAI & Google

404 Media article: Google Is Paying Reddit $60 Million for F$$$smith to Tell Its Users to Eat Glue

BBC article: Glue pizza and eat rocks: Google AI search errors go viral

UDM14 AI Free Google search

Objective Development’s Little Snitch Version 6

Microsoft AI

Mashable article: Microsoft’s new AI ‘Recall’ feature is like hitting ‘CTRL + H’ on your entire digital life

Rewind.ai

Games at Work e435: Space Junk

Games at Work e391: FAIL Whale

IMDB: Total Recall

Copilot + Minecraft demo

One last thing

phys.org article: Powering wearable devices with high-performing carbon nanotube yarns

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e466 — AI’s Perfect Vacation

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view of a terrace for two overlooking a bay with a sunset in the distance - Photo by H Fall on Unsplash
Photo by H Fall on Unsplash

Published 20 May 2024

Michael and Michael teleport into the virtual studio to talk tech.  In this episode, the team talks about the latest AI stories, Andy’s Apple Vision Pro experience, and recent announcements from Google I/O.

Michael and Michael start off with the concept of synthetic humans, as a way to more rapidly address the need for quality user research in a speedy and cost effective manner.  While the ability of generative AI to create personas with full backstories provides an accelerated way to evaluate a new product or service, Michael R’s attention is drawn to the idea that these synthetic humans can have ‘secrets’ that will influence their reactions.  Next up is yet another story from the world of dating, though this time, it’s all about establishing a digital twin that will go on virtual dates with other people’s digital twins.  During show notes writing time, this reminded Michael M of Felicia Day’s song, “Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?”.  Then, an example of machine learning decoding the sperm whale phonetic alphabet.

Andy takes a moment to share his experiences with the Apple Vision Pro.  After Andy’s drop in segment, Michael and Michael discuss a set of new accessibility features, including those to help iPhone and iPad users combat motion sickness.  After touching on a couple of augmented reality stories, the co-hosts turn to all things Google.  

There were many announcements at Google I/O.  Michael R focused on phone scam detection and vacation itinerary generation.  Michael M took a look at Music FX to generate songs.

The team wraps up this week’s episode with a LEGO Barad-Dûr and drones that recharge by landing on power lines.

What future do you see for synthetic humans for user research or dating?  Have your bots 🤖 drop our bots 🤖 a line at @gamesatwork_biz (our home for now) and let us know! 

These show notes were lovingly hand crafted by a real human, and not by a bot.  All rights reserved.  That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

Selected Article Links

AI

Fast Company article: These ‘synthetic humans’ offer a bold new approach to user research

Morning Brew article: Let AI date for you, says Bumble founder

TechCrunch article: Machine learning aids in discovery of sperm whale ‘alphabet’

Apple

The Verge article: Apple’s new accessibility features let you control an iPhone or iPad with your eyes

IEEE Spectrum article: Augmented Reality Slims Down With AI and Holograms

Wired article: Yelp Sneaks Augmented Reality Into iPhone App

Google I/O

Wired article: Everything Google Announced at I/O 2024

Google I/O 2024

Google MusicFX

The Verge article: Android is getting an AI-powered scam call detection feature

Games at Work e186: Accio Mjolnir

The Verge article: Google’s Gemini can build an entire vacation itinerary ‘in a matter of seconds’

LEGO & Tech

Slashfilm article: Cool Stuff: Amazing Lord Of The Rings LEGO Set Builds Sauron’s Dark Tower And Fiery Eye

Boy Genius Report article: Revolutionary new drone feeds on electricity from power lines and flies forever

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e465 — Roblox Physical Fusion

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neon “Open” sign
Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash

Published 6 May 2024

Andy, Michael and Michael squeeze into the virtual studio to talk tech.  In this episode, the team share some tech happy birthday wishes, takes a side trip down the Rabbit R1 hole, discuss screens and buttons in automobiles, check into real world implementations of video games and gaming versions of real world shopping and more.

The co-hosts start off this episode with the first happy birthday wish – sending congratulations to the BASIC programming language, which turns 60 this year.  They then turn to the continuing discussion on the Rabbit R1, in particular how it is an android app, wrapped up in a hardware shell.  This leads to the consideration of design, and how the blending of hardware and software can compliment one another even more effectively than just hardware or just software alone.  

After touching on the as-yet unannounced new version of iOS, the team takes on a story on Mercedes-Benz and CarPlay.  Michael M is reminded of a recent article from the Atlantic (see below) and a lively discussion ensues about which co-host may be the greatest automotive “Captain Slow”.

Next up is a story and video about Super Nintendo World at Universal, and how the experiences there allow one to feel as if they are physically placed into a video game.  This is followed up by an article about Walmart being the first brand in Roblox to enable physical purchases.  Then, some more birthday wishes, this time for SL21B, Second Life’s upcoming 21st birthday bash.

The team wraps up the episode with a story on the Razer Zephyr RGB face mask and the FTC’s fine. 

What was your first basic program?  Who do you think best exemplifies “Captain Slow” from this episode’s discussion?  Have your bots 🤖 drop our bots 🤖 a line at @gamesatwork_biz (our home for now) and let us know! 

These show notes were lovingly hand crafted by a real human, and not by a bot.  All rights reserved.  That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

Selected Article Links

Ars Technica article: The BASIC programming language turns 60

10 print “* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *”

20 print “ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ”

30 goto 10

AI

Daily Tech News Show Podcast Run, Rabbit, Run… On My Phone! – DTNS 4760

Hackaday article: Make 3D Scenes with a Holodeck-like voice interface

iOS & CarPlay

Forbes article: iOS 18—New Apple Overhaul Reveals Exciting iPhone AI Privacy Feature

The Verge article: Mercedes-Benz won’t let Apple CarPlay take over all its screens

The Atlantic article: Touch Screens Are Ruining Cars

Hertz NeverLost

Real & Virtual Worlds

@NeoNacho @chrisvasselli @podomunro @thillsman no screens on the donkey Kong ride! 😱

youtu.be/asmd0jGpg9o?feature=s

— Chris Wu :toucan: (@MuseumShuffle) 2024-05-02T19:05:19.281Z

Retail Technology Innovation Hub article: Walmart becomes first brand in Roblox to enable physical purchases as it goes live with groundbreaking pilot

Patent US8296196B2: Tag Along Shopping

Second Life Community blog: SL21B Applications Now Open for Performers!

Tech

Ars Technica article: FTC fines Razer for every cent made selling bogus “N95 grade” RGB masks

Games at Work e304:  Duly meh-ed

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