The Comunicano for Thursday October 3rd 2024
It's Not All AI. It Really Isn't. Just Some Of It.
Good morning faithful readers. Let’s talk about the real drama that’s happening—not on TV, but in your pocket, on your wrist, and in your inbox…..First, Apple. The guardians of your privacy—or so they say. With iOS 18, they’re throwing down the gauntlet. No more sneaky apps grabbing your contacts to spam your entire family tree. Developers are crying foul, but users are celebrating like it’s New Year’s Eve. Because nothing says "we care" like Apple locking down your phone while simultaneously selling you one for $1,200.
And speaking of tightening the reins, Gmail’s out here cleaning up your inbox. No more searching through 300 emails for that flight confirmation you swear you got. Their new summary cards will serve it all up on a platter. Need a reminder for that dentist appointment you keep ignoring? Gmail’s got you covered. Soon, they’ll be telling you when to breathe—oh wait, that’s Apple Watch’s job……Then there’s Amazon. The blissful, ad-free streaming life you’ve been living on Amazon Prime Video is coming to an end. Ads are coming, and if you don’t want them, well, Bezos needs more rocket fuel, so pony up. They’ve seen what Netflix and Hulu are doing, and they thought, "Yeah, let’s annoy our customers too."
But let’s not forget AI. OpenAI is now worth $150 billion. And you thought your data was free? No, it’s the fuel for the AI gold rush. They’ve even told investors to avoid backing competitors. It’s like a tech mafia, except instead of cement shoes, they’re offering AI-generated emails reminding you to meet your doom.
And in this carnival of privacy breaches and subscription fees, what’s left? Oh yes, Meta’s smart glasses, spying on strangers, revealing personal info found on Instagram like it’s no big deal. Because in the tech world, innovation means figuring out new ways to creep people out.
That, folks, and more is the tech world today. Your privacy, your attention, your wallet—it’s all up for grabs. And we’re just here, watching, paying… and breathing on cue here in today’s Comunicano.
Andy Abramson
I’m trying something different today. Here’s two Notebook LM outputs, first, the very quirky, chippy, and fun to listen to “Deep Dive” all based on my content, and then, their “Briefing Document” on today’s news. Let me know what you think about these two approaches.
No Time To Read-Give A Listen
No Time To Read— Here’s The Highlights
Key Themes:
AI advancements and their implications: We showcase significant AI developments with wide-ranging impacts, from revolutionizing information access to sparking ethical concerns around privacy and misuse.
The evolving landscape of streaming services: As platforms grapple with profitability, consumers face increasing ads and evolving subscription models, prompting questions about ad tolerance and the future of streaming.
Privacy concerns in the digital age: From intrusive data collection practices to the rise of deepfakes, protecting personal information is an ongoing battle with increasingly complex challenges.
Highlights:
AI & Technology:
Nvidia strengthens enterprise AI push: Accenture will train 30,000 employees on Nvidia's AI tech, signaling a growing focus on enterprise AI adoption (Accenture Press Release).
NotebookLM - The future of search? Google's NotebookLM allows users to upload diverse media and query it conversationally, potentially revolutionizing how we access and consume information.
Doxxing concerns arise from student project: Students created "I-XRAY," using Meta's smart glasses to identify and reveal personal information of strangers, raising serious ethical and privacy concerns.
Streaming Wars:
Amazon Prime Video ramps up ads: Despite already having an ad-supported tier, Prime Video plans to increase ad loads, testing the limits of viewer tolerance and highlighting the industry's struggle for profitability.
Privacy & Ethics:
Apple tightens contact sharing permissions: iOS 18 will require apps to seek explicit permission for each contact shared, addressing concerns about data harvesting and potential misuse.
Deepfakes fuel gender conflict in South Korea: The rise of non-consensual deepfake porn is causing significant distress and distrust, prompting calls for stronger legal action and highlighting the need for societal change .
Other:
The Habit Burger dethrones In-N-Out: The California-based chain claims the title of "America's best burger" with its Double Char, sparking a cheeky billboard campaign targeting its rival .
Skyscanner enhances features for travelers: The platform introduces "Greener Choices" to help reduce carbon footprints and improves flexible search options for budget-conscious travelers (Source not provided - please provide).
Important Quotes:
"Jensen (Huang, Nvidia CEO) has been a very big advocate of partners, and he’s really giving us the latitude to make our partners profitable, to make them successful.” - Alvin Da Costa, Nvidia's leader of global consulting organization (CRN).
"The beauty of NotebookLM is you can throw all sorts of information into the box... The AI will then 'read' the material, translate and make sense of it, and spit it back out in the form of a 5 to 10-minute podcast featuring two chirpy personalities.” - Tom's Guide on Google's NotebookLM.
“Teenage (girls) must be feeling uneasy about whether their male classmates are okay. Their mutual trust has been completely shattered,” - Shin Kyung-ah, Sociology Professor at Hallym University, on the impact of deepfakes in South Korea (AP News).
Overall:
Today’s tech news reflects a rapidly evolving landscape where innovation and ethical considerations are constantly intersecting. As AI progresses the focus on user privacy and responsible technology development will remain crucial.
Now For Your Reading Pleasure
Apple Watch
That Was How You Did It—Growth hacking practices, particularly apps exploiting users’ contact lists for viral marketing purposes, are under attack by Apple. With iOS 18's new restrictions, developers can no longer access contacts without explicit permission. While some app developers argue that this stifles growth, some applaud the change as a victory for user privacy. Advocates for ethical standards in tech development emphasize the need for comprehensive privacy legislation to protect users' personal data from being exploited for commercial gain. More on this from The New York Times.
Gmail Watch
Your Email Got Carded—Gmail is introducing updated summary cards to help users manage key information more efficiently, like tracking purchases, events, bills, and travel details. The cards will display in emails and a new “Happening soon” section, offering features like reminders, adding events to your calendar, or tracking deliveries. These dynamic cards will organize information from related emails, making it easier to take action without digging through your inbox. This update is rolling out for Android and iOS, with more features coming soon. More on this from Neowin.
Amazon Watch
More Ads. More Money—Amazon Prime Video will start incorporating more ads in 2024, aligning with other streaming services that feature ad-supported models. While Prime members currently enjoy ad-free content, the introduction of these ads will be part of a new tiered system. For those who want to continue without ads, Amazon will offer an option to pay an additional fee. This change reflects a broader industry trend of offering lower-cost or ad-supported plans, aiming to balance revenue growth while keeping subscription prices competitive. Read more from ArsTechnica.
Porn Watch
It’s Not Her—There’s a rising issue of deepfake pornography in South Korea, that highlightes how AI-generated explicit content is disproportionately targeting women. These manipulated videos are created without consent, contributing to severe emotional and reputational harm. South Korea, which already struggles with illegal spycam footage, faces challenges in combating the spread of deepfakes despite legislative efforts. Victims who often find it difficult to remove content once it spreads online, calling for more stringent regulations and enforcement to protect women's rights and privacy.
Meta Watch
So That’s Who It Is—A group of students used Meta’s smart glasses to automatically “dox” strangers by livestreaming and revealing their personal information via Instagram. The project aims to demonstrate how easily available technology and social media can infringe on privacy, showcasing the risks of facial recognition and the need for better privacy regulations. Their experiment raised awareness about how personal data could be exploited in public spaces, prompting discussions on the balance between innovation and privacy protection.
Cable Watch
Get Your Free Streaming Here—Charter Communications has secured a new multi-year agreement with NBCUniversal, including Peacock's ad-supported premium tier, at no additional cost for Spectrum TV Select subscribers. This move, part of Charter's broader strategy to integrate streaming services with traditional pay-TV packages, mirrors recent deals with Disney and ESPN. The agreement ensures continued access to NBCUniversal's full portfolio of channels like NBC, Telemundo, and Bravo while bolstering its streaming options with Peacock. This approach positions Charter to compete more effectively in the shifting TV and streaming landscape.
WordPress Watch
It’s A Counterpunch—WP Engine has filed a lawsuit against Automattic and WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg. The dispute centers around allegations that Automattic misused trade secrets from WP Engine, a WordPress hosting company. WP Engine claims that Automattic leveraged confidential information, violating their agreements. The legal action highlights increasing tension between two significant entities in the WordPress ecosystem. Automattic, known for WordPress.com, faces these allegations while continuing its central role in the WordPress platform’s development and hosting services.
OpenAI Watch
It’s A Big One—OpenAI is reportedly valued at $150 billion, following investment discussions with potential backers. This valuation highlights the company's significant growth and leadership in artificial intelligence, particularly with its widely popular language models. OpenAI's new valuation marks a substantial increase from earlier figures, as the firm continues to attract attention from major investors interested in the expanding AI industry. This surge in value underscores the increasing demand for AI technologies and their potential impact across industries.
Avoid The Enemies—OpenAI has reportedly asked its investors to avoid funding five rival AI startups, including Ilya Sutskever's Safe Superintelligence (SSI) and competitors like Anthropic and Elon Musk's xAI. These companies are also developing large language models, requiring significant capital. OpenAI secured $6.6 billion in funding from investors like Thrive Capital and Tiger Global, pushing for commitments beyond financial backing. The move, although non-binding, reflects OpenAI’s strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the AI landscape.
Agent Watch
The Numbers Are Rising—Accenture has struck a significant deal with Nvidia to train 30,000 of its staff in AI technology, leveraging Nvidia's AI platforms. This initiative is part of a broader push to expand Accenture’s capabilities in AI-driven services and solutions, reinforcing its role in helping businesses integrate advanced AI technologies. The partnership underscores the growing demand for AI expertise across industries and aims to position Accenture as a leader in the AI consulting space.
It’s A Mistake—A recent study by Uplevel shows that GitHub’s AI programming assistant, Copilot, may not boost developer productivity. In fact, developers using Copilot introduced 41% more errors into their code without any significant gains in efficiency. The study tracked 800 developers over six months, comparing their performance with and without Copilot. Contrary to expectations, Copilot did not improve coding speed or reduce errors. Experts are concerned that the complexity of debugging AI-generated code can sometimes make it harder to fix than writing code from scratch.
Notebook LM Watch
It’s Got Power—Google's NotebookLM as one of the most exciting advancements in AI since ChatGPT. Designed as a digital assistant, it offers an innovative way to organize, summarize, and understand large amounts of information, enhancing productivity. Its key feature is its ability to analyze and generate summaries from users' notes and documents, making it a powerful tool for research and knowledge management. This personalized AI experience could revolutionize how people interact with their data.
AI Watch
What Are They Searching For—A recent study by Superside found that ChatGPT dominates AI searches in the US, with nearly 25 million monthly searches. Surprisingly, Google's Gemini ranks second but lags far behind with 1.5 million searches. Despite early setbacks, such as issues with its image generator, Gemini's rising profile may be tied to its integration with Google Pixel 9. Microsoft's Copilot ranks third with 368,000 searches, while AI tools like Character.ai and Claude didn't make the top 15. The data highlights public interest but not necessarily usage trends.
Venture Watch
Many Happy Returns—CRV, a venture capital firm, is returning $100 million to its investors from its latest fund. The decision follows challenges in deploying capital due to shifting market conditions and reduced startup valuations. This move reflects the broader slowdown in venture funding as firms face difficulties in finding high-return opportunities. CRV's action highlights the caution some investors are exercising in today's uncertain tech market, focusing on preserving capital rather than taking risks in an unpredictable environment.
Gadget Watch
Let’s Connect—Wireless earbuds are now able to connect with in-flight entertainment systems, thanks to Bluetooth retransmitters integrated into their charging cases. Brands like JBL and Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) have launched models, such as the JBL TOUR PRO 3 and B&W's Pi7 S2, that offer this functionality. These cases plug into the plane's headphone jack, wirelessly transmitting audio to the earbuds. With noise-canceling features, enhanced drivers, and long battery life, they aim to elevate the in-flight entertainment experience without relying on wired headphones.
Burger Watch
Burger Wars—-The Habit Burger Grill is playfully taunting In-N-Out after surpassing it as America’s best burger chain, as per USA Today. Billboards reading “Congrats on #2, In-N-Out” have appeared across Southern California, with one near LAX. The Habit’s Double Char burger now holds the top spot, displacing In-N-Out's Double Double. The Habit also launched a marketing campaign, including a promo video on *Jimmy Kimmel Live*. Despite its smaller scale, with 380 locations versus In-N-Out’s 400, The Habit continues to gain ground in the competitive burger landscape.
App of the Day
SkyScanner
When it comes to finding the best travel deals, Skyscanner stands out as a versatile, user-friendly application that caters to travelers who want a seamless experience. Whether you're planning an international vacation, a quick weekend getaway, or an impromptu business trip, Skyscanner makes it easy to compare and book flights, hotels, and car rentals across a broad range of providers. Here's why Skyscanner is a go-to tool for savvy travelers and how it stacks up against the competition.
Core Features
1. Comprehensive Search Engine:
Skyscanner is built around its powerful search engine that scours the internet for deals from airlines, online travel agencies, and car rental services. Its search function is extremely customizable—whether you’re looking for the cheapest flights, the fastest routes, or even the most eco-friendly options, Skyscanner lets you filter and sort results based on your travel priorities.
2. Price Alerts:
A key feature for budget-conscious travelers, Skyscanner's price alert system monitors fluctuations in flight prices. You simply set up an alert for a specific flight or route, and you’ll receive notifications via email or push notifications when the fare drops. This can save you money and take the stress out of constantly checking for deals yourself.
3. Flexible Search Options:
Skyscanner offers flexible search tools that cater to users with different planning needs. For instance, the “Whole Month” and “Cheapest Month” features allow you to search for the best dates within a month to get the lowest possible price. Meanwhile, the "Everywhere" search lets you explore flight options to various destinations based on your budget, perfect for spontaneous travelers who are open to discovering new places.
4. Eco-Friendly Travel:
In recent updates, Skyscanner has included options to help users reduce their carbon footprint. Flights with lower CO2 emissions are marked as "Greener Choices," allowing travelers to make environmentally conscious decisions without sacrificing convenience.
5. Multi-City Bookings:
For those planning multi-leg trips, Skyscanner's multi-city search feature allows you to add multiple destinations to your flight search. This is ideal for travelers who need to book complex itineraries without the hassle of searching multiple times for different legs of a journey.
User Interface and Experience
Skyscanner's interface is streamlined and intuitive. The desktop version gives you a clear overview of the options available, while the mobile app (available for both iOS and Android) mirrors the ease of use seen on the web version. Whether you're booking from a laptop or on-the-go with a smartphone, the experience is fast and responsive.
The app's “Explore” tab, which showcases trending destinations and last-minute deals, encourages wanderlust, while the ability to store and retrieve recent searches makes future travel planning even more convenient.
Comparisons to Other Travel Apps
While Google Flights and Kayak offer similar services, Skyscanner's strength lies in its combination of flight, hotel, and car rental searches within a single interface. Unlike Google Flights, which focuses solely on airfare, Skyscanner acts as a one-stop-shop for your entire trip. Compared to Kayak, Skyscanner’s "Everywhere" search tool offers a more adventurous approach, opening up destinations you might not have considered, whereas Kayak typically requires more specific search criteria.
In contrast to traditional travel agencies like Expedia, which push packages and deals through promotions, Skyscanner is more neutral, acting purely as an aggregator. This means the results you get are unbiased and truly based on price, speed, or eco-friendliness, making it a more transparent choice for comparison shopping.
Best Use Cases
- For Spontaneous Travelers: If you're not set on a destination but just want to find the best place to go within your budget, Skyscanner's "Everywhere" search and flexible date tools are perfect. You can explore destinations based on the lowest airfare available, making it an ideal tool for last-minute adventurers.
- For Budget-Conscious Travelers: The price alert feature and the ability to search a range of dates at once make it easy to book at the lowest price possible. Whether you're traveling for leisure or work, these tools help ensure you don't overpay for your trip.
- Eco-Friendly Travelers: Skyscanner's dedication to offering greener travel options is a win for eco-conscious individuals. With its ability to filter out flights based on carbon emissions, it supports sustainable travel in a straightforward and simple way.
Availability and Access
Skyscanner is available for free on both iOSAndroid via Google Play, as well as through desktop browsers on PC and Mac. The app is free, though it redirects users to booking partners for reservations, such as airline websites or third-party booking platforms. This hands-off approach ensures you’re always getting the most competitive rate without hidden fees.
Skyscanner is a highly recommended travel companion, especially for those who value flexibility, transparency, and eco-conscious travel. Its easy-to-navigate interface, powerful search engine, and multiple features for finding and tracking the best deals make it a standout option for any traveler. Whether you're dreaming of your next destination or looking for a quick business flight, Skyscanner’s comprehensive features ensure you're always in control of your travel plans.
To start planning your next trip, visit Skyscanner’s official website or download the app directly from your preferred app store.
