The Comunicano for Thursday December 12th 2024

Thirsty Thursday

Today’s headlines tell a tale of disruption, innovation, and a glimpse into the future that is closer than many realize. We are living in a moment where every industry—whether in technology, communication, or transportation—is at a crossroads. It’s not just about adapting to change, but embracing it, with a vision that transforms challenges into stepping stones.

Take OpenAI’s outage last night. Millions were momentarily disconnected from one of the world’s most powerful AI platforms, highlighting the fragility of our increasingly digital lives. But look deeper. This isn’t just about a technical glitch. It’s a sign of the growing integration of AI into our everyday routines, now as integral as electricity or running water. When a single outage can bring this level of attention, it’s a sign that we’re moving into a new era of dependency on intelligence systems.

Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini 2.0 pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. An AI that can shop for you, manage your tasks, and synthesize entire research projects? That’s not science fiction. It’s here. The lesson? Efficiency is no longer the endgame. The next frontier is creating technology that augments human potential, not by replacing effort but by amplifying capability.

And yet, this progress isn’t without friction. Apple’s groundbreaking integration of ChatGPT with Siri and its expansion of intelligent features shows how quickly these tools are globalizing. But alongside innovation comes scrutiny. Australia’s regulatory move to ensure digital platforms pay for journalism underscores a pivotal question: In this race for advancement, are we building systems that empower all stakeholders, or just a select few?

The world of transportation, too, is seeing upheaval. GM’s decision to end its Cruise robotaxi program may seem like a retreat, but it’s a recalibration. The dream of autonomous vehicles isn’t over—it’s shifting focus. Technologies often fail before they succeed. Remember, the first smartphone was a commercial disaster. Now, they’re indispensable.

The same principle applies across sectors. Disruption, whether in AI, media, or transportation, is a chance to rethink old models. But it’s not just about the tools we create—it’s about the values we embed in them. Transparency, fairness, and inclusivity must be as central as the algorithms themselves.

So, the question we must ask is this: Will we let today’s breakthroughs overwhelm us, or will we use them to redefine what’s possible? The future isn’t a waiting game. It’s being built, moment by moment, by those bold enough to lead and, of course, those bright enough to read The Comunicano!!!

Andy Abramson

OpenAI Watch

Disconnected—On December 11, 2024, OpenAI's ChatGPT experienced a global outage shortly after its integration with Apple's Siri via the iOS 18.2 update. The disruption, which began around 11:07 p.m. UTC, also affected OpenAI's API and Sora services, rendering them inaccessible. Users encountered messages stating, "ChatGPT is currently unavailable." OpenAI promptly acknowledged the issue, stating, "We have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix." The company implemented a solution, and services were gradually restored. The outage coincided with Apple's announcement of ChatGPT's integration into Siri, enhancing the virtual assistant's capabilities.

Google Watch

What’s New With Gemini 2.0—Google has introduced Gemini 2.0, its latest AI model designed to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention. This advancement enables AI agents to autonomously navigate websites, manage spreadsheets, and assist with online shopping. Integrated into Google's Chrome browser, Gemini 2.0 aims to enhance user experience by anticipating needs and executing multi-step processes. However, the technology is still experimental and subject to regulatory scrutiny. Google plans to gradually roll out these features, emphasizing the importance of user oversight to ensure accuracy and reliability.

You’ve Got an Agent—Google has unveiled "Mariner," an experimental AI agent powered by Gemini 2.0, designed to autonomously interact with online tools like spreadsheets and shopping sites. Positioned as a precursor to a "universal assistant," Mariner performs tasks such as filling shopping carts or navigating interfaces but leaves final decisions to the user. Integrated with Google Chrome, Mariner reflects Google’s ambitious AI vision but faces scrutiny from antitrust rulings. While promising, challenges persist, including occasional errors inherent in such systems. Alongside Mariner, Google also showcased Astra, an enhanced digital assistant capable of interpreting text, images, and voice, though neither technology is widely available yet.

Going Deep—Google has introduced "Deep Research," a feature within its Gemini AI assistant that autonomously conducts comprehensive web research on specified topics. Users can request a research plan, and Gemini iteratively gathers and synthesizes information, producing detailed reports with source links. Currently available to Gemini Advanced subscribers, this tool enhances the AI's utility in information gathering and analysis.

Eyes Like Us—Google is advancing its AI initiatives with Project Astra, an ambitious virtual assistant designed for seamless, real-time interaction across text, images, video, and audio. Demonstrated at Google I/O, Astra aims to be an always-on helper, integrating with prototype smart glasses to provide intuitive, hands-free experiences. A select group within Google's Trusted Tester program is trialing these glasses, indicating serious hardware development. This move suggests Google is committed to launching smart glasses that merge audio, video, and display, enhancing the natural integration of AI into daily life.

Missing Persons—Google has enhanced Android's "Unknown Tracker Alerts" to bolster user safety against unauthorized Bluetooth tracking. Initially launched in July 2023, this feature notifies users if an unfamiliar Bluetooth tracker is detected moving with them. The latest updates introduce the ability to temporarily halt location updates to the Find My Device network, concealing the user's location from potential trackers for up to 24 hours. Additionally, users can now utilize the "Find Nearby" function to locate such trackers and receive guidance on disabling them. These enhancements reflect Google's commitment to user privacy and safety, addressing concerns over the misuse of Bluetooth trackers for stalking and unauthorized tracking.

YouTube Watch

Price Hike—YouTube TV has announced a $10 monthly price increase for its base plan, raising the cost from $72.99 to $82.99. This change takes effect on January 13, 2025, for existing subscribers, while new subscribers will see the updated pricing immediately. The company attributes this adjustment to rising content costs and investments in service quality, including features like unlimited DVR storage and multiview. This marks the second price hike in less than two years, following a previous increase from $64.99 to $72.99 in March 2023. The escalating costs have led to discussions about the value proposition of streaming services compared to traditional cable bundles as the price gap continues to narrow

Regulatory Watch

Taxman, Mr. Thief—Australia is set to implement a "news bargaining incentive" starting January 1, 2025, compelling digital platforms like Meta, Google, and ByteDance to compensate Australian news publishers. Targeting companies with annual Australian revenues exceeding AU$250 million, the policy mandates either direct financial agreements with news outlets or the payment of a government-imposed levy. This taxing initiative aims to support quality journalism and address the financial challenges faced by media organizations due to the rise of digital platforms. The government prefers platforms to establish direct deals, with the levy serving as a deterrent against non-compliance. The exact levy amounts will be determined after consultations, with legislation expected in early 2025. This move follows Meta's earlier decision to discontinue payments to Australian news publishers, which had led to significant revenue losses and job cuts within the media sector.

Another Channel To Surf—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously approved new rules permitting very-low-power (VLP) unlicensed devices to operate across the entire 6 GHz band (5.925–7.125 GHz). This decision aims to foster innovation in applications such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), wearable technologies, and various Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The FCC asserts that these VLP devices can function indoors and outdoors without causing harmful interference to existing licensed services, including fixed microwave links and broadcast auxiliary services. However, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has expressed concerns about potential disruptions to critical services like electronic newsgathering, especially during emergencies. Despite these objections, the FCC maintains that the new rules will enhance consumer experiences and stimulate economic growth by expanding the unlicensed use of the 6 GHz spectrum.

Meta Watch

Time to Pay Up—Meta Platforms has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund, marking a significant shift in the relationship between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Trump. This is the first time Meta has contributed to a presidential inaugural fund, having abstained from such donations in 2017 and 2021. The move follows a private dinner between Zuckerberg and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November, signaling efforts to mend previously strained relations. Historically, tensions arose from Meta's suspension of Trump's accounts post-January 6, 2021, and allegations of content suppression during the 2020 election. This donation indicates a strategic effort by Meta to foster a more collaborative relationship with the incoming administration.

Oops. We’re Offline—Yesterday, Meta's platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—experienced a significant global outage, affecting millions of users across various regions. The disruption began around 12:40 PM ET, with users reporting issues accessing services and sending messages. Meta acknowledged the technical difficulties and worked to restore functionality, with services gradually returning to normal. This incident underscores the widespread reliance on Meta's platforms for communication and social interaction.

Apple Watch

The World Gets More Intelligence—Apple has expanded its Apple Intelligence features to six additional countries: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the U.K., and South Africa. This expansion accompanies the release of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, which introduce localized English support for these regions. Key features include Genmoji for creating custom emojis, Image Playground for generating images, and ChatGPT integration for Siri. Exclusive to iPhone 16 models is the Visual Intelligence feature, enabling quick identification of real-world objects via the Camera Control button. Apple plans to further extend language support throughout the year, with additional languages expected in future updates.

Getting Layered—Apple has updated the Voice Memos app for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, introducing a "Layered Recordings" feature that allows users to record vocals over existing instrumental tracks without needing headphones. The app isolates vocal recordings into separate tracks, utilizing the A18 Pro chip's advanced processing and machine learning. This facilitates further mixing and production in professional applications like Logic Pro. This enhancement aims to provide musicians and creators with a more versatile tool for capturing and developing song ideas directly on their devices.

Microsoft Watch

What’s Bitcoin—At Microsoft's recent annual shareholder meeting, a proposal urging the company to invest in Bitcoin received minimal support, with only 0.55% of shareholders voting in favor. In contrast, a proposal advocating for an annual "Report on AI Data Sourcing Accountability" garnered over 36% approval. This indicates a significant shareholder interest in scrutinizing the ethical and legal aspects of data used in training AI models, especially in light of Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI.

RoboTaxi Watch

End of the Line—General Motors (GM) has decided to discontinue its Cruise robotaxi program after investing over $10 billion since 2016. This decision follows a significant incident in San Francisco where a Cruise autonomous vehicle was involved in an accident, leading to regulatory scrutiny and the suspension of its testing permit in California. Consequently, GM plans to integrate Cruise's technology into its advanced driver-assistance systems for personal vehicles, aiming to enhance features like Super Cruise. This strategic shift is expected to reduce GM's annual spending by approximately $1 billion by mid-2025. The move reflects the broader challenges traditional automakers face in the competitive and costly autonomous vehicle market, as they balance innovation with profitability.

Follow the Leader—Honda has announced its withdrawal from the self-driving taxi partnership with General Motors (GM) and plans to sell its minority stake in GM's Cruise unit. This decision follows GM's move to cease robotaxi development at Cruise, citing the substantial time and resources required to scale the business and increasing market competition. The partnership, established last year, aimed to launch driverless taxi services in Japan by 2026. However, with GM's strategic shift, Honda has opted to discontinue its involvement in the joint venture.

Browser Watch

No One Cared—Mozilla has announced the removal of the "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature from Firefox, effective with version 135 scheduled for release in February 2025. Introduced in 2011, DNT allowed users to signal websites not to track their browsing activity. However, compliance was voluntary, and many sites ignored the request. Mozilla's decision reflects the feature's ineffectiveness and concerns that it could inadvertently reduce privacy. Users are encouraged to utilize the Global Privacy Control (GPC) setting, which has gained broader support and is reinforced by legislation in certain regions.

OnlyFans Watch

Imposter Alert—OnlyFans creators are increasingly adopting AI-powered tools to manage the overwhelming volume of direct messages (DMs) from subscribers. Traditionally, creators employed human "chatters" to impersonate them in conversations, often hiring gig workers from countries with lower wage expectations. However, startups like ChatPersona and Supercreator now offer AI-driven solutions that generate personalized responses, streamlining interactions and enhancing subscriber engagement. These AI tools can prioritize high-spending subscribers and re-engage inactive ones, thereby boosting creators' earnings. While some platforms require a human to approve AI-generated messages to comply with OnlyFans' terms of service, the integration of AI in this context raises questions about authenticity and transparency in creator-subscriber relationships.