The Comunicano for Thursday October 24th 2024

We live in a world that moves fast. The kind of fast that keeps us constantly connected, always one step ahead, always looking for the next innovation that will make our lives not just easier, but more meaningful. And that’s where Apple steps in. Right now, they’re expanding something they call “Apple Intelligence.” And it’s not just another software update. It’s a way of thinking. A way of looking at the world where creativity and technology come together in a way that feels effortless.

New tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand—these aren’t for the techies in the back room. No, these are for all of us. Whether you want to express yourself in playful or animated ways, or just let your imagination run wild, Apple’s making sure you’ve got the tools to do it….And then there’s Siri. But not the Siri you used to know. This is Siri with ChatGPT on board, making it smarter, brighter, more responsive, and more human. She’s no longer just answering your questions—she’s having a conversation. And with the new Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16, your camera isn’t just a lens—it’s a window into the world around you. Information in real-time, right at your fingertips.

But let’s not forget the big picture. AI isn’t just a gadget in your pocket. It’s transforming entire industries. Businesses are integrating AI not just to chat with you, but to reshape how they operate—how they move products, how they serve customers, and how they predict what’s next. It’s strategic, it’s profitable, and it’s the future….But with all this power comes responsibility. The government is stepping in to make sure AI is used ethically, to protect our privacy, to hold people accountable. Because we need to remember, it’s not just about what technology can do, but what it should do.

We’re at the crossroads of creativity and control. Of innovation and regulation. And we need to ask ourselves, how do we shape the future we want? Because the tools are here. And the choice is ours. And now, on to the news, all here today, in THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

Apple Watch

Pick A Number—iOS 18.2 expands a feature to all users, allowing them to set default apps for calling and texting. Previously limited to the EU, this update gives iPhone users worldwide the ability to change these settings via the "Default Apps" section in the Settings > Apps menu. With seven app categories, including messaging, calling, and browsers, this feature simplifies managing default apps on Apple devices. However, the feature is only available for devices supporting Apple Intelligence, meaning older models may miss out until full iOS 18 support is rolled out in December.

What’s Next—Apple continues expanding its AI-driven "Apple Intelligence" features with the release of developer betas for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2. These updates introduce tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand for creative image generation, with a focus on playful and animated styles rather than photorealism. Additionally, Writing Tools now includes more customization, while ChatGPT integration enhances Siri’s functionality. Visual Intelligence, exclusive to the iPhone 16, provides real-time information based on camera views. Expanded English dialect support and future multi-language rollouts are also planned as Apple refines these tools ahead of public release.

AI Watch

Where The Money Is—Companies are moving beyond chatbots to explore deeper AI applications that promise higher returns. Firms increasingly focus on integrating AI into their core operations, targeting efficiency, customer experience, and product innovation. AI is being used in sectors like supply chain management, fraud detection, and predictive analytics. The shift signals that companies are looking for more strategic and profitable uses of AI, rather than simply automating conversations.

Protecting The Nation—The Biden administration's release of new guidelines aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. government. These guidelines are part of a broader effort to ensure the ethical use of AI in federal agencies, promoting transparency, accountability, and security. The move reflects growing concerns over AI's impact on privacy, civil rights, and economic inequality. The administration also emphasizes the need for collaboration with international allies to develop a shared framework for AI governance.

Breaking The Law—A former OpenAI employee claims the company is violating copyright laws and contributing to the degradation of the internet. The criticism focuses on how AI systems, like those developed by OpenAI, are trained on vast amounts of copyrighted content without permission. The staffer argues that this practice could have long-term negative effects, including damaging the rights of content creators and the quality of online information. These claims highlight the growing ethical and legal debates surrounding AI and intellectual property.

The Claude Way—In the battle of friendly AIs, you’ve got Claude from Anthropic vs. ChatGPT from OpenAI. It’s like ethics vs. fun at a dinner party. Claude is all about playing it safe, making sure everything’s above board and socially responsible. Meanwhile, ChatGPT is the life of the party—constantly upgrading, tweaking, and trying to make your conversations more enjoyable. Which one’s your favorite AI sidekick? The choice depends on whether you’re in the mood for cautious or creative.

Skipping A Beat—There’s this new tool called HarmonyCloak, and it’s got musicians feeling a bit more secure. Researchers have figured out how to slip some sneaky noise into music tracks, something us humans can’t hear but AI can’t escape. It’s like throwing a wrench in the works of those machines trying to copy their style. The AI gets all mixed up, and bam! Their attempts to recreate music? Fuhgeddaboudit!

Google Watch

No Stealing-Google's SynthID is a tool for watermarking and detecting AI-generated content, like text and images, to combat misinformation and misuse. It embeds invisible watermarks into content which are detectable with specific models. SynthID ensures that generated content can be traced, even after mild modifications. Detection is probabilistic, offering watermarked, not watermarked, or uncertain results. While effective against basic alterations, the method struggles with heavy paraphrasing or translations. SynthID is a step towards responsible AI use, complementing other content-safeguarding methods.

Meta Watch

About Face—Companies are moving beyond chatbots to explore deeper AI applications that promise higher returns. Firms are increasingly focusing on integrating AI into their core operations, targeting efficiency, customer experience, and product innovation. AI is being used in sectors like supply chain management, fraud detection, and predictive analytics. The shift signals that companies are looking for more strategic and profitable uses of AI, rather than simply automating conversations.

Roblox Watch

Child Protection Arriving—Roblox has introduced new measures to better protect users under 13 years old. These changes include restrictions on voice chat, ensuring that content is appropriate for younger players, and updates to parental controls. The company is enhancing its verification systems to ensure that users’ age information is accurate, while also providing tools for parents to monitor and control their children's activities on the platform. These efforts aim to create a safer and more secure environment for younger audiences.

RoboTaxi Watch

California. Here I Come—Uber is partnering with Wayve, a British self-driving car startup, to advance autonomous vehicle technology in California. Wayve’s AI-driven platform will use Nvidia's hardware to enhance real-time decision-making capabilities for Uber’s autonomous vehicles. The collaboration aims to streamline the development of scalable, city-specific self-driving solutions. This move marks Uber's continued efforts to explore driverless technology, with testing set to begin in 2024, initially in densely populated urban areas.

EV Watch

Better Buses—If you're interested in electric buses, things just got a lot more exciting. Recent innovations in battery technology are making these buses more efficient, with greater range and affordability than ever before. This shift not only helps cut greenhouse gas emissions but also reduces operational costs for cities. Electric buses are becoming a key player in the movement toward cleaner, greener urban transportation and could soon play a bigger role in your everyday commute.

Power To The People—Tesla Powerwall installations are growing in popularity as more homeowners seek sustainable energy solutions. These systems store excess solar energy, allowing users to power their homes during outages or at night. By increasing energy independence and reducing reliance on the grid, Powerwalls help reduce carbon footprints. Tesla has also made strides to streamline installation, making it more accessible for homeowners looking to embrace green energy options.

Mobile Watch

Picture That—Qualcomm just made smartphone photography way more exciting with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip’s new image signal processor (ISP). You’ll get faster, sharper, and smarter photos thanks to AI enhancements that improve lighting, autofocus, and even object tracking. Imagine snapping pro-level shots with minimal effort, all powered by this tech. It’s like having a professional photographer right inside your phone, ready for any moment.

Privacy Watch

Face Up—Wegmans in Brooklyn is introducing facial recognition technology as part of its security measures. This move has sparked debate over privacy concerns and the ethics of using biometric data in retail spaces. While the grocery chain claims it's to enhance safety and prevent theft, critics worry about potential surveillance overreach and data misuse. Wegmans has yet to fully explain how the data will be stored and protected, raising questions about transparency.

Deception Watch

From Russia Without Love—John Dougan, a former U.S. police officer, accused of being involved in Russian disinformation campaigns targeting U.S. politics. Dougan is reportedly amplifying narratives aimed at undermining U.S. officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris. His activities raise concerns about the spread of Russian propaganda and its influence on American discourse. Dougan's background and connections to Russia are examined, along with the broader implications for misinformation in global geopolitics.

Media Watch

Press Time—The rapid decline of newspapers in the U.S., with over 2,500 papers closing since 2005, leading to significant job losses in journalism. The shift to digital media and changes in advertising revenue have contributed to the closures, leaving many communities without local news coverage. The impact is felt across the nation, as fewer journalists remain to cover important local stories, weakening civic engagement and accountability.

Streaming Watch

Now Delivering Entertainment—Streaming services like Peacock, Disney+, Max, and Paramount+ are expanding their business models by incorporating grocery delivery partnerships. These collaborations aim to create additional revenue streams and offer subscribers enhanced services, such as personalized grocery deals or exclusive content. The strategy reflects a broader trend of media companies diversifying their offerings to stay competitive in the digital landscape, where consumer demands for convenience and value are rising.

Travel Watch

On The Road Again—Anthropic's new AI feature is designed to give you a personalized experience similar to working with a human travel agent. It can handle complex travel needs, suggest customized itineraries, and adapt bookings based on real-time changes, making your trip planning more seamless and efficient. This tool aims to bring the expertise of traditional agents into the AI realm, offering a smarter and faster way to manage your travel plans.

Extreme Travel—Samsonite sent its Proxis suitcase 130,000 feet into space, testing its durability in extreme conditions. The suitcase survived a dramatic fall, landing wheels-first into a Nevada mountainside without damage, thanks to its advanced Roxkin material and patented suspension technology. The experiment, captured on video, was done in collaboration with Sent Into Space, using eco-friendly hydrogen balloons. This test highlights Samsonite's innovation and aims to position the brand as the go-to luggage for future space travelers.

Art Watch

Sure Not Your eBay Auction—Botto, an AI artist, has made waves by auctioning its artwork at Sotheby’s, marking a significant milestone for AI-generated art in the traditional fine art world. Botto creates abstract and surreal pieces, and its sale at such a prestigious auction house underscores growing recognition of AI as a legitimate creative force. This development sparks discussions about the evolving relationship between AI, creativity, and the art market.

Retail Watch

What’s The Deal—If you're wondering if Trader Joe's is actually cheaper than other grocery stores, *CNET* crunched the numbers for you. They found that while Trader Joe’s offers great deals on specialty items, it's not always the lowest for essentials like dairy and produce. You could save on some things, but it's smart to compare prices across different stores depending on your shopping list.