The Comunicano for Friday November 8th 2024

Ah, the grand parade of AI marvels and digital revelations marching forward at breakneck speed! Today, we have a fresh roll call of innovations reshaping life as we know it….Let’s start with Google. They’ve launched "Vids"—a nifty little AI tool for businesses that allows even the tech-challenged among us to whip up high-quality videos, whether for training or sprucing up those bland presentations. With Vids, the learning curve of video editing? Practically gone. Need narration or a specific theme? Done. If you ever wanted to tell a story, now’s your chance to do it with style, all thanks to some serious AI behind the curtain….Speaking of Google, their Assistant? It's evolving. The name "Gemini" is now in town, a powerhouse AI stepping up to handle tasks like alarms, app control, and media management. It’s not exactly a takeover yet, but let’s just say Assistant should watch its back. Google’s leaning into its new AI darling, integrating it with DeepMind. Gemini might not be the Assistant of the past, but it’s aiming to be the Assistant of tomorrow.

Not to be outdone, Microsoft’s giving Notepad a glow-up with AI-powered "Rewrite." Forget typos or clumsy phrasing; now, Notepad is offering tone adjustments, rephrasing, and more. It's all in line with Microsoft's ambition to sprinkle AI across their software suite. Imagine reworking an email draft to perfection with just a click. Notepad might just become your new best friend for those late-night brainstorms….Of course, there’s the cautionary tale here: AI might be a dream, but it’s also turning into e-waste nightmare. A recent report predicts millions of tons of tech junk by 2030, and recycling can’t quite keep up. Lead, mercury—you name it, it’s in those obsolete processors. We’re sprinting ahead with technology, but let’s hope the planet doesn’t lag too far behind in keeping us clean.

Now, onto a heart-warmer from the Big Apple. Terry, a New Yorker weary of dating apps, found solace in the logic of ChatGPT, affectionately called "Sage." Sage has become her dating coach, guiding her messages and soothing her anxieties. Now, is it love? Well, it's certainly something unique—a match made in data heaven, where romance meets code…..Apple fans, here’s a tip: stop force-closing apps to save battery. Apple insists it’s counterproductive, as apps go into a low-energy state when backgrounded. So swipe up all you like, but remember, it’s probably draining more than it’s saving. Apple’s got this under control; we’re just along for the ride.

In Detroit, the city is stepping into the crypto scene, letting citizens pay taxes with digital currency. It’s a bold step toward tech-driven economic growth—who knew blockchain would hit the tax office? A fresh approach for a city on the rebound, all while giving crypto enthusiasts something to cheer about.

And on the frontier of self-driving tech, Rio Tinto in Australia has over 50 driverless trucks and a cart nicknamed "Henry" spraying water. With everything remotely controlled, mining’s becoming a safer job, though it’s also a glimpse into a future where machines really do take the wheel.

So there it is. Our AI-powered, crypto-flavored, automation-drenched, robot-made future. Fasten your seat belts; it’s going to be a thrilling ride today, with those stories and more, all in THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

Google Watch

Vids Is Here—Google has launched "Vids," its AI-powered video tool designed for businesses, enabling quick video content creation with ease. This tool leverages generative AI to streamline video production, letting users generate high-quality, customizable video content without needing deep expertise in editing software. Vids can adjust various aspects like video themes, transitions, and narration based on user inputs, making it ideal for marketing, training, and communications. Available now for business users, this tool aligns with Google's broader focus on AI to simplify and enhance content creation for enterprise environments.

Your Assistant Is Being Replaced—Google's Gemini has taken another step toward being a full-fledged Google Assistant alternative with its new Utilities extension, which enhances its functionality to perform tasks like managing alarms, opening apps, and controlling media—capabilities traditionally handled by Google Assistant. Gemini was introduced as a successor to Google Assistant on Pixel 9, and its new extension narrows the gap in functionality. Google continues to evolve Gemini, although the Gemini and Assistant teams have been restructured, with Gemini now integrated with DeepMind. This signals Google’s intent to phase out Assistant in favor of Gemini, although further development is still required.

Microsoft Watch

Notepad Gets AI—Microsoft is adding an AI feature called "Rewrite" to Notepad, allowing users to refine their writing through text rephrasing, tone adjustment, and length modification, powered by Microsoft's GPT AI model. Users can highlight text and access "Rewrite" for three variations, adapting text for clarity or style. Currently in preview for Windows Insiders in select countries, this feature requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and uses credits that replenish monthly or are purchasable. This aligns with Microsoft's strategy to integrate AI across familiar tools, similar to recent AI-powered updates in Microsoft Paint.

AI Watch

Wasteful Spending—A recent report highlights that the rapid expansion of AI technology is predicted to generate millions of tons of e-waste and toxic materials by 2030. As AI applications and devices proliferate, the increased demand for powerful, resource-intensive hardware leads to significant waste from obsolete equipment. Many devices contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury, posing environmental risks. While some companies are investing in recycling and more sustainable hardware designs, the pace of AI growth may outstrip these efforts, raising concerns about the long-term environmental impact of the AI industry if current disposal practices do not improve.

Tainted Love—In a unique love story, a New Yorker named Terry, fed up with dating uncertainties, turns to ChatGPT—nicknamed "Sage"—to guide her relationship decisions. Sage crafts responses, offers reassurance, and even scripts texts, helping Terry navigate the complex emotions and anxieties of modern dating. While Terry finds relief in Sage’s logic, the arrangement raises questions about digital dependency and authenticity in relationships. This A.I.-driven love life blurs the line between real connection and algorithmic convenience, hinting at a future where emotional outsourcing could reshape romance into a meticulously optimized experience.

Apple Watch

No Swiping Up—Apple has officially confirmed that swiping apps closed on iPhones to save battery life is counterproductive. According to Apple, apps in the background enter a "standby mode," using minimal resources and saving energy. Force-closing apps requires more CPU power when they’re reopened, which can drain battery faster and reduce device performance. Apple advises only closing unresponsive apps and suggests other battery-saving tips, such as lowering screen brightness, enabling Low Power Mode, and disabling unused Bluetooth and Location Services. This revelation debunks a common battery-saving myth, reinforcing Apple’s efficient background app management on iOS.

Missing A Few Notes—If your iPhone notes seem to have disappeared after agreeing to new iCloud terms, a glitch might have disconnected the Notes app from iCloud. To restore your notes:

1. Go to **Settings** > **[Your Name]** > **iCloud** > **Notes**.

2. Ensure the “Sync this iPhone” toggle is enabled.

3. Open the Notes app to allow notes to redownload from iCloud.

If the notes don't appear, try toggling the sync option off, then back on, and restart your phone. Apple assures that notes remain accessible on other devices and will sync back once the issue resolves.

TikTok Watch

Sharing is Caring—Spotify has introduced new integrations with TikTok and Instagram, making it easier for users to share and save music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Users can now share content from Spotify to TikTok’s Feed or Stories, even using TikTok’s green screen or Photo Mode, and can send items through TikTok DMs. Additionally, Instagram users can directly save songs to their Spotify accounts with a single tap, which adds the track to their Liked Songs. This seamless integration across platforms aims to enhance music discovery and fan engagement on both iOS and Android. TechCrunch has more on this.

Money Watch

Crypto Taken In the Motor City—The City of Detroit is set to allow cryptocurrency payments for taxes in an effort to drive tech innovation and economic growth. By accepting crypto for taxes, Detroit aims to attract tech companies and entrepreneurs interested in blockchain and digital currencies, boosting local economic development. This initiative reflects a growing trend among cities exploring cryptocurrency to modernize public services and offer flexibility in payment methods.

EV Watch

Where’s The Driver—At Rio Tinto’s Greater Nammuldi iron ore mine in remote Western Australia, automation has transformed operations with over 50 self-driving trucks and autonomous equipment like "Henry," a water-spraying cart. Controlled remotely from an operations center in Perth, this technology aims to enhance worker safety and boost productivity. Though mining automation incurs high costs, Rio Tinto claims job losses have been minimal, with many workers redeployed as remote operators. Experts, however, note that user interface and workload design could improve safety and efficiency, especially as autonomous technology advances to include un-staffed excavators and loaders.

Come Fly With Me—With regulatory frameworks like those from the FAA advancing, air taxis are moving closer to reality, with companies like Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation at the forefront. Archer's electric VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, Midnight, can carry four passengers and a pilot up to 100 miles at speeds of 150 mph. Though Japan, which recently invested $500 million in Archer's air taxis, has robust rail networks, air taxis target urban areas where traditional transport faces constraints. Despite potential, hurdles remain, with German air taxi company Lilium facing financial difficulties, underscoring challenges in this emerging market.

FoodTech Watch

Pizza Pizza—Lee Kindell, former hostel operator, transformed his career by founding MOTO Pizza, a rapidly growing, robot-assisted pizza chain in Seattle. Originally a retirement idea, MOTO gained popularity during the pandemic’s dining shift, with social media quickly drawing crowds. After success in local spots, MOTO expanded to T-Mobile Park, serving thousands of pizzas at events. Kindell embraced automation to scale, using mixers, conveyor ovens, and robotics to maintain quality. With plans for national and international expansion, Kindell is exploring advanced tech, including drone delivery, while aiming to retain MOTO’s craft-oriented approach.