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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:55 — 40.6MB) | Embed

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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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:49 — 45.0MB) | Embed

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e464 — AI Piano Man

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autographed picture of Billy Joel at Bullock’s Bar-B-Cue in Durham, NC
Picture by Michael Martine at Bullock’s Bar-B-Cue, Durham NC, April 2024

Published 29 April 2024

Michael and Michael get together to talk tech while Andy is away.  In this episode, the team focuses on a variety of AI topics including AI hardware in the form of the Rabbit R1, the new Logitech AI Mouse, smart gloves to teach piano playing.  Michael M shares a blog post dealing with reinforcement learning and empowerment maximization.  Michael R gives a rundown on his perspective of the current state of the Apple Vision Pro.  The co-hosts wrap up the episode with some gaming news.

Michael and Michael start of this episode continuing the recent discussion on AI hardware, this time with the Rabbit R1.  Like the Humane AI pin, there are compelling elements about the R1, however, the overlap with other wearables (watches) and phones loom large.  Switching from the Rabbit to the Logitech mouse, Michael M brings up the bespoke AI button, likening the button to the Netflix button on TV remotes.  Michael R notes that his existing mouse could accomplish the same thing by mapping one of the existing buttons to call up the AI features, and points out the challenges arising from the Logitech software the new mouse requires.  For an intriguing new way of learning to play the piano, the co-hosts discuss “a textile-based wearable human-machine interface with integrated tactile sensors and vibrotactile haptic actuators”.  Staying on the AI theme, Michael M brings up a blog post dealing with reinforcement learning and empowerment maximization with an intriguing image to consider for creating an optimal number of future options and opportunities.  

Michael R gives his current take on the Apple Vision Pro, given the recent press on the sales figures and expectations on the future availability in countries beyond the US.

The team wraps up the episode with some gaming news.  These include an Excel-based Fallout game, a world record attempt of chess and the breakup of Embracer Group.

What do you think will be the physical form factor for the best AI enabled service?  Will it be your phone or watch?  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

The Verge article: A morning with the Rabbit R1: a fun, funky, unfinished AI gadget

Playdate

The Verge article: Logitech wants you to press its new AI button

Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 Wireless Mouse

Windows Experience blog: Introducing a new Copilot key to kick off the year of AI-powered Windows PCs

Scientific American article: ‘Smart Gloves’ Teach Piano Playing through Touch

Games at Work e281 — The Sound of the Present

Chip Huyen’s blog post: Measuring personal growth

Spatial Computing

Cult of Mac article: Apple cuts Vision Pro shipments as demand slows

The Verge article: Apple announces May 7th event for new iPads

Games & Gaming

The Storyteller blog: I made a Fallout inspired RPG game in EXCEL

CNN article: Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya plays for 60 hours in Times Square, breaking marathon record

Kotaku article: Embracer Decides To Split Up, Names New Companies Things Like ‘Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends’

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:12 — 39.8MB) | Embed

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E463 – Kickstarting Robo-Modding Mayhem

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Robots defining a modding Kickstarter - generated via Diffusion Bee
Michael Rowe via DiffusionBee – Prompt – “Robots defining a Modding KickStarter, Realistic, Dynamic Lighting, by H.R. Giger”

This week, while Michael M is in the woods, Andy and Michael R. go thru the week’s links focusing back on our roots talking about various gaming stories, including: Life by You’s open approach to modding, dragon based table top games, and how one gaming studio is support Kickstarters from indie game developers.

We talk about listener Epredator’s contribution on adding micropayments to doom, and what show would be complete without a discussion of the latest robot from Boston Dynamics!?!

So check us out via the new Fediverse Podcast directory at https://podcastap.com.

Podcasts in the Fediverse https://indieweb.social/@tchambers/112284187620846728 

Andy talks Podcasting 2.0 and other platforms for podcasts on Fediverse on TechGrumps – https://techgrumps.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/techgrumps-3-14-ai-arbitrage/ 

History of Podcasting – https://www.descript.com/blog/article/history-of-podcasts 

Life By You encourages models – https://www.pcgamer.com/games/life-sim/life-by-you-director-says-modders-are-welcome-to-monetize-creations-however-they-want-go-for-ityou-dont-need-our-permission

Spore – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spore_(2008_video_game) 

Baldur’s Gate Studio supports game’s Kickstarter – https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/blasphemous-dev-reveals-that-baldurs-gate-3-studio-larian-quietly-backed-the-game-on-kickstarter-for-dollar1000-and-never-asked-for-anything-in-return

Micro-payments in Doom –

Epred- Listener link – https://mastodon.online/@epredator/112277232280250134 

https://www.threads.net/@guy_dupont/post/C5tskPDqy4W

Descent open sourced – https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/04/descent-3-has-been-made-open-source

WrymSpan TableTop game – https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wyrmspan/ and https://tabletopia.com/games/wyrmspan

We Have Goats TableTop game – https://www.wehavegoats.com

Boston Dynamic’s latest robot – https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/17/techcrunch-minute-new-atlas-robot-stuns-experts-in-first-reveal-from-boston-dynamics/

One Plus Watch Two – https://www.theverge.com/24132998/one-plus-watch-2-review-smartwatches-wearables

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:00 — 43.0MB) | Embed

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