The Comunicano for Tuesday December 17th 2024

Oh What A Day

Let’s cut to the chase. Today, it’s not bootleggers running a racket—it’s junk fees, deceptive charges, and snake-oil pricing schemes pulling one over on the good people of this country. When the Federal Trade Commission steps in with a firm rule—one that says businesses must show you the real price upfront—I call that a win for the folks who still trust that fair competition and plain-dealing mean something. No more sticker shock when you hit the checkout counter for tickets, hotel rooms, or whatever else they’re peddling. Transparency’s back on the docket, and the FTC’s playing hardball. I say it’s about time.

Now, there’s another story out there, and this one’s about big money—a hundred billion of it. Masayoshi Son, the man at the helm of SoftBank, made a promise to invest in American tech. You don’t get to a number like that without vision, guts, and maybe a bit of moxie. Jobs, innovation, technology—this is the next frontier. It’s robotics, AI, and the kind of ingenuity that built this country. Whether or not Son’s gamble pays off, one thing’s for certain: when capital and creativity come together, the ground shakes, and new possibilities rise. America’s fertile soil for progress, but progress takes investment. Remember that.

But here’s a wrinkle for you: TikTok. Millions of Americans dance, speak, sell, and share ideas on that app. But with the government concerned about national security, we’re looking at a showdown—a fight over ownership, free speech, and influence. ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, has to cut ties with its Chinese roots or lose its spot in American pockets. It’s a Supreme Court case that pits the Constitution against caution. It’s tricky territory. On one hand, we prize security; on the other, we defend expression like our lives depend on it—because they do.”

And while the giants of tech play chess, somewhere in Nevada, engineers are striking gold—not the kind you dig, but geothermal energy: clean, constant, and endless. Fervo Energy’s Project Red proves you don’t need volcanic drama to tap the Earth’s heat. It’s another sign that solutions to our biggest problems lie below our feet, above our heads, and in the minds of those who refuse to quit searching.

You see, progress isn’t a single path; it’s a thousand stories unfolding at once. Whether it’s companies hiding fees, tech reshaping cities, or apps standing trial for our values, the landscape keeps changing. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s this: fairness, ingenuity, and accountability are the pillars that hold up this house we call America. Knock them out, and everything collapses. Stand by them, and we’re unstoppable.

So let’s demand fair play. Let’s invest in the future. Let’s keep our eyes sharp and our wits sharper. The world keeps moving forward, folks, and we’ve got work to do. Which is why those stories today, and more, are all here, in THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

Price Watch

The Price Is Not Right—The FTC has announced a bipartisan rule banning "junk fees" in ticketing and hotel bookings, addressing deceptive and hidden charges that harm consumers. Under this rule, companies must display all mandatory fees upfront, ensuring transparency in advertised prices. It aims to simplify comparisons for consumers, prevent price shocks at checkout, and promote fair competition. This move aligns with the FTC's broader effort to tackle unfair business practices, saving Americans billions annually. The new rule represents a significant win for transparency and consumer protection in a market plagued by deceptive pricing strategies. Read more in the Washington Post.

Venture Watch

Mo Money—In a bold move that echoes the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has pledged a staggering $100 billion investment in the U.S. tech sector. This announcement, made alongside President-elect Donald Trump, signals a potential boom for American innovation and job creation. Son, known for his visionary approach to technology investments, sees the U.S. as fertile ground for the next wave of technological breakthroughs. The investment, which aligns with Trump's promise to boost the economy, could spark a renaissance in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. While details remain scarce, this massive influx of capital has the potential to reshape the tech landscape and cement America's position at the forefront of global innovation.

ChatGPT Watch

Search Me—OpenAI's ChatGPT web search feature is now available for all users, not just those with a Plus subscription. This update allows ChatGPT to pull up-to-date information from the internet, improving its ability to provide accurate, current answers. The feature, integrated into the GPT-4 model via the "Browse with Bing" option, enhances responses for real-time events, news, and niche queries. OpenAI's move aims to make ChatGPT a more powerful and widely accessible tool for knowledge seekers, addressing prior limitations in content freshness. This expansion also signals OpenAI’s focus on broader usability and improved user experience.

Meta Watch

Oh Say Can You See—Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses receive a major boost with the v1.1 software update, introducing real-time AI features. Highlights include live translation, allowing wearers to translate languages directly through the glasses, and music recognition via Shazam integration. The AI assistant also gets smarter with improved image-based responses, offering users insights on objects they see. These enhancements further position Ray-Ban Meta glasses as a multi-functional wearable, blending fashion with cutting-edge technology. Meta's continued focus on AI advancements in its hardware ecosystem ensures a seamless blend of utility and innovation for on-the-go users.

Google Watch

AI Advancements With Video—Google Labs has unveiled major upgrades in AI image and video generation with Veo 2, Imagen 3, and the new tool Whisk. Veo 2 delivers high-definition, controllable video creation with cinematic precision, targeting creative professionals. Imagen 3 enhances image generation with improved realism and detail, advancing Google's capabilities in AI-powered visuals. VideoFX integrates both tools, streamlining workflows for content creators. Whisk, a novel tool, uses AI to facilitate ideation and storyboarding, simplifying the creative process. These updates position Google as a leader in the AI visual generation space, pushing boundaries for professionals and creative enthusiasts alike.

Whisking Away The Day—Google has introduced Whisk, an experimental AI tool designed to help users ideate, visualize, and remix concepts seamlessly. Available in Google Labs, Whisk empowers creators to turn rough ideas into polished visuals by generating, editing, and enhancing images interactively. It combines the flexibility of AI with intuitive prompts, enabling storytelling, design exploration, and prototyping faster than ever. By bridging imagination and execution, Whisk is aimed at artists, designers, and thinkers looking for a dynamic way to bring ideas to life. Google continues pushing boundaries with tools that inspire and simplify creative workflows.

TikTok Watch

Going To The Top—TikTok is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to block a federal law that could potentially ban the popular video-sharing app in the United States. The company's emergency appeal comes in response to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which is set to take effect on January 19, 2025 TikTok argues that the law infringes upon the company's First Amendment rights[3]. The platform contends that banning the app would effectively silence millions of American users who rely on it for political discourse, commerce, and artistic expression. The company claims that even a month-long shutdown would result in losing approximately one-third of its daily U.S. user base and significant advertising revenue. TikTok is seeking a ruling by January 6, hoping for a delay in the law's implementation to allow for a thorough review by the Court and assessment by the incoming administration. The case presents a unique challenge, balancing free speech rights against the government's stated national security objectives. The legislation requires ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest the platform to an American entity or face a nationwide ban[3]. This would be enforced through restrictions on app stores and internet hosting services.TikTok's legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation, national security concerns, and constitutional rights in the digital age.

Can You Trump This—President-elect Donald Trump recently met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Mar-a-Lago to discuss the app's future in the U.S. This meeting comes as TikTok faces a January 19, 2025, deadline to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban due to national security concerns. Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term, has since expressed support for the platform, citing its popularity among young voters. TikTok has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to block the impending ban, arguing it violates the First Amendment and would cause significant harm to its user base and operations. The situation remains fluid, with potential legal and political developments that could influence TikTok's fate in the U.S.

WordPress Watch

Never on My Pizza—In a recent move, WordPress co-founder and Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg introduced a mandatory checkbox on WordPress.org's login and registration pages, requiring users to affirm that "Pineapple is delicious on pizza" to proceed. This change follows a court injunction mandating the removal of a previous checkbox that asked users to confirm they were not affiliated with WP Engine, amid ongoing legal disputes between Automattic and WP Engine. The new checkbox has sparked criticism within the WordPress community. Francesca Marano, a long-time contributor, expressed concerns over the project's professionalism, stating, "It's disheartening to see an OSS project that thousands of people have contributed to over 21 years reduced to behaviours more suited to a kindergarten." This incident highlights the escalating tensions and internal conflicts affecting the open-source platform's governance and community relations.

Retail Watch

They Have Their Eye On You—Walmart is equipping its employees with body cameras to enhance security and deter theft. This initiative follows similar measures by retailers like TJX, the parent company of TJMaxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls, which began outfitting security workers with body cameras earlier this year. The use of body cameras in retail settings aims to provide an additional layer of security and transparency, potentially aiding in resolving disputes and reducing incidents of theft. However, this approach has sparked discussions about privacy concerns and the effectiveness of such measures in deterring criminal activity. John Eck, a professor of criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati, notes that body cameras can help clarify incidents in stores, particularly concerning customer complaints over issues like racial profiling or wrongful arrests for shoplifting. As retailers continue to explore technological solutions to combat theft and enhance security, the implementation of body cameras represents a growing trend in the industry. The effectiveness and implications of this practice will likely be closely monitored by both retailers and privacy advocates.

Transportation Watch

Truckin’—In a fascinating twist of automotive trends, Japan's diminutive kei trucks are gaining traction among American pickup enthusiasts. These pint-sized workhorses, originally designed for Japan's narrow streets and tight parking spaces, are finding a niche market in the U.S. where bigger has traditionally been better. The appeal lies in their practicality, fuel efficiency, and unique charm, offering a refreshing alternative to the behemoth trucks that dominate American roads. Despite their small size, kei trucks pack a punch in utility, capable of hauling surprising loads for their compact frames. This trend highlights a growing appreciation for functional, no-frills vehicles that prioritize efficiency over sheer size. As more Americans discover these quirky imports, it's clear that sometimes good things do come in small packages, challenging the long-held notion that bigger is always better in the world of pickup trucks.

Yo, Taxi—Waymo is heading to Japan in partnership with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi company, and mobility platform GO. Marking Waymo’s first international expansion, their autonomous Jaguar I-PACEs will arrive in Tokyo in early 2025. Initially, vehicles will be manually operated to map areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, while Waymo’s AI Driver learns Japan’s left-hand traffic and urban complexities. The collaboration aligns with Japan’s push for advanced, safer transportation solutions. This initiative allows Waymo to test and adapt its technology globally while partnering closely with policymakers to ensure a responsible rollout in Tokyo's dense urban environment.

Energy Watch

In Hot Water—In Nevada's vast desert, Fervo Energy's Project Red is redefining geothermal energy. Unlike traditional methods requiring volcanic activity, this innovative system taps constant subsurface heat by drilling deep into the earth, circulating water to harvest renewable power. Project Red proves geothermal's potential beyond magma zones, leveraging oil and gas drilling techniques to overcome past challenges. With consistent, 24/7 energy output, it offers a reliable clean alternative to intermittent solar or wind power. While geothermal currently contributes less than 1% of global electricity, advancements like Project Red could transform it into a key player in the carbon-free energy transition.

Drone Watch

Those Drones Are Ours—The Seattle Seahawks honored their fans with the first-ever NFL halftime drone show during their game at Lumen Field against the Green Bay Packers. The dazzling display, featuring over 500 drones, celebrated the team’s iconic moments, including Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake” and the famed Legion of Boom. This planned tribute stood out amid rising concerns over mysterious drone activity on the East Coast. Produced by Sky Elements, the show marked a milestone in fan engagement while commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Seahawks retiring the number 12 jersey in honor of their loyal fanbase, the "12s."