Roblox Is Testing Dynamic Billboards in the Metaverse With New Ad Platform https://www.adweek.com/commerce/roblox-testing-dynamic-billboards-in-the-metaverse-new-ad-platform/ They said it would be long hours. But really, I’m knackered. It’s stupid O’clock. It’s great feeling as though the agency values me, needs me really. But I can’t do it all. Nights, weekends. The demands, expectations. My thumbs hurt. My eyes … [Read more…]
Actors worry that AI is taking centre stage https://www.ft.com/content/7c26a93f-88ec-4a50-8529-7df81af86208 I mean, who’s serving in Starbucks while we all turn up for this cattle market? At least we don’t have to travel to auditions now. Trust me, Zoom filters are a must. Polish that accent, perfect that character. There’s a bleak camaraderie about it. Waiting to … [Read more…]
WhatsApp’s super app ambitions are starting to come true in India https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/29/23326687/whatsapp-jiomart-india-super-app-grocery-shopping He’s great. Always got time for a customer. You can tell him anything, talk any old stuff. He doesn’t so much give advice, he just listens. You can just chat while you’re getting stuff. Drop in for a quick one. He’ll serve you … [Read more…]
Zuckerberg says Meta’s next VR headset will launch in October and will focus on ‘social presence’ https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/26/zuckerberg-says-metas-next-vr-headset-will-launch-in-october-and-will-focus-on-social-presence/ It had taken some time getting him there. Maybe it was the word ‘therapist’… or maybe the word ‘couple’: probably both. As the therapist tried to get him to talk about their relationship and his position in it, … [Read more…]
Thames Water reviews data centres’ water use as London hosepipe ban looms https://www.ft.com/content/8d8bf26f-5df2-4ff6-91d0-369500ed1a9c The village had voted overwhelmingly for it. Some said the residents had no real choice. There weren’t many other options in that area. Those that could had moved away believing things were better in the South or in the city or somewhere… … [Read more…]
This startup is setting a DALL-E 2-like AI free, consequences be damned https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/12/a-startup-wants-to-democratize-the-tech-behind-dall-e-2-consequences-be-damned Just look. It’s lovely to see. She bought us this gizmo and set it up. We’ve got it on the mantelpiece. It’s like a slideshow I suppose. But really it’s more like we’re there with her. She takes the pictures, they appear … [Read more…]
Google is teaching robots to think for themselves https://www.fastcompany.com/90779334/google-robot-research-everyday-robots-palm-saycan They arrive here full of, I suppose you’d call it knowledge. They’re skilful, very intelligent. They can hit the ground running when it comes to the tasks they’re here for but there’s something missing – soft skills some call it. I prefer the word “understanding”. There … [Read more…]
Neighbourhood apps are great but IRL is better https://www.ft.com/content/ad29c454-9fcf-40f5-bd98-faaf553591d8 No one takes the Estate Agents’ word for it. We used Google Street View to look at the “extensive local amenities” and the distance to the station. Broadband speeds and OFSTED ratings to see the local primary. If you know where to look, there’s so much … [Read more…]
The Rise of the Worker Productivity Score https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/14/business/worker-productivity-tracking.html They were so proud of her. It had always been a worry that she might choose to be an accountant or a tax lawyer. They were too young to be hippies but they still wanted her to be… alternative. An artist. Her life would be creative, different, … [Read more…]
Travel the World in an App https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/09/technology/flight-tracking-app.html He’s worked hard. It seems like it’s been non-stop exams and tests since he started nursery school. And of course the lockdowns didn’t help. He’s just been buried in his books, or at least his tablet. Whatever results he gets, he deserves a break. We did it. Traveled. … [Read more…]