The Comunicano for Wednesday October 2nd 2024
Alright, folks, gather 'round, and let’s see what’s bubbling in today’s news because it’s been a day full of high-tech twists, big-dollar moves, and a little splash of coffee culture. Let’s break it down…..First up, OpenAI just dropped a few new toys for developers. They’re talking about a Realtime API that’s set to change the game for voice-based applications. They also rolled out tools for fine-tuning images and something they’re calling "model distillation." Fancy words, but what it means is developers can shrink those massive AI models down to a more manageable size without losing all that brainpower. And hey, if you're worried about costs, they’ve got you covered—new features that cut API call expenses by half. That’s some serious developer candy right there.
Now, let’s talk about the big money moves. SoftBank, with their Vision Fund, is throwing $500 million into OpenAI, part of a huge $6.5 billion round. Apple ducked out at the last minute—guess they had other plans—but SoftBank’s all in. OpenAI’s now valued at a cool $150 billion. That’s “billion” with a B, people. It’s like Monopoly, but the stakes are real.
Meanwhile, Nvidia is playing their own game, and boy, it’s a big one. They just dropped their NVLM 1.0, an open-source AI model that’s packing a hefty 72 billion parameters. They’re taking aim at the giants, ready to compete with GPT-4, and it’s going to be interesting to see how this shakes up the AI landscape. Nvidia’s opening the doors wide on this one, releasing everything, weights and all, to help drive innovation. Guess they believe sharing is caring—at least when it comes to AI.
Over in the legal corner, Google’s in a bit of a pickle with the Department of Justice. The government is eyeing them for monopolistic practices in the ad tech world. Google’s trying to downplay it, saying there’s more competition than the DOJ thinks, but this could really reshape the digital advertising space. The verdict? Well, stay tuned.
Now, for something a little more grounded—literally. In Texas, they’re 3D printing a hotel. Yeah, you heard that right. The fine folks at ICON and Bjarke Ingels Group are teaming up to create El Cosmico, a 3D-printed desert oasis that’s going to blend luxury with campground vibes. First 3D-printed hotel in the world, and they’re aiming for 2026. Homes start at a cool $2.29 million. Pocket change, right?
Oh, and if you’re craving some international flavor, Starbucks has launched a new coffee line in Europe called the Milano Duetto, blending flavors like chocolate and caramel inspired by Milan’s café culture. Sounds like a perfect excuse to sip on something fancy while the world turns.
That’s and more is today’s news, folks—fast, fresh, and just a little bit caffeinated. Keep your eyes peeled because tomorrow? Tomorrow’s bound to be another wild ride. And now on to today’s Comunicano.
Andy Abramson
Open AI Watch
What’s New—At OpenAI's 2024 DevDay, several key updates for developers were unveiled, including a new Realtime API. This API simplifies the development of voice-based applications by enabling low-latency, speech-to-speech interactions in a single step. OpenAI also introduced tools for vision fine-tuning, enhancing AI's ability to interpret images, and model distillation, which helps developers create smaller, efficient models from larger ones. Additionally, new cost-saving features like prompt caching were announced, reducing API call costs by up to 50%. These updates come amidst rising competition from companies like Google and Meta.
More On What’s New—At OpenAI's recent developer event, the company introduced four major updates to its API services aimed at enhancing customization and efficiency for developers. First, Model Distillation simplifies the process of fine-tuning smaller models by using outputs from larger ones, streamlining the development of optimized models. Second, Prompt Caching helps reduce costs by 50% for commonly used prompts when reused within an hour, providing savings for developers who rely on frequent, similar API calls. Third, Vision Fine-Tuning allows developers to improve the model's ability to understand images, which is particularly useful for applications like visual search and object detection. Finally, the Realtime API enables faster speech-to-speech interactions, eliminating the need for separate applications and reducing latency, which enhances the responsiveness of AI voice applications. These updates aim to lower costs and boost performance for developers building AI-powered tools.
Gemini Watch
His Masters Voice—At OpenAI's 2024 DevDay, several key updates for developers were unveiled, including a new real-time API. This API simplifies the development of voice-based applications by enabling low-latency, speech-to-speech interactions in a single step. OpenAI also introduced tools for vision fine-tuning, enhancing AI's ability to interpret images and model distillation, which helps developers create smaller, efficient models from larger ones. Additionally, new cost-saving features like prompt caching were announced, reducing API call costs by up to 50%. These updates come amidst rising competition from companies like Google and Meta.
CoPilot Watch
It’s All New—Microsoft introduced an AI companion for everyone, designed to enhance productivity and accessibility across its platforms. The AI companion, integrated into Microsoft 365 apps, Windows, and other services, aims to assist users with tasks, streamline workflows, and provide personalized insights. It leverages Microsoft's extensive AI tools to offer real-time support in various applications. This move reflects Microsoft's commitment to embedding AI deeply into everyday software, making interactions more intuitive and efficient for users.
AI Watch
SoftBank Moves in—SoftBank is reportedly investing $500 million in OpenAI as part of a larger $6.5 billion funding round, which values the AI giant at $150 billion. This marks a significant move for Masayoshi Son's Vision Fund following Apple's last-minute decision to withdraw from the investment. The funding will boost OpenAI's infrastructure and align with SoftBank's ambitions in AI, especially after its recent success with Arm Holdings. This partnership reunites Son and OpenAI's Sam Altman, who had previously considered launching an AI chip venture.
nVidia LLM Is Big—Nvidia has unveiled NVLM 1.0, a groundbreaking open-source AI model designed to compete with industry giants like GPT-4. This new family of multimodal models, led by the 72 billion parameter NVLM-D-72B, excels in both vision and language tasks, demonstrating superior performance in areas such as text analysis and image interpretation. Nvidia's decision to release the model openly, along with its weights and training code, aims to accelerate AI development and democratize access to cutting-edge AI technologies. This move is poised to challenge the dominance of closed proprietary systems and spur innovation across the AI landscape
A Move to Anthropic—.Durk Kingma, co-founder of OpenAI, has joined Anthropic, a rival AI company known for its focus on AI safety. Kingma, renowned for innovations like Variational Autoencoders (VAE) and the Adam optimizer, previously worked at Google. His move follows a trend of prominent OpenAI staff transitioning to Anthropic, led by former OpenAI members. Kingma cited Anthropic's mission and approach to responsible AI development as key reasons for the shift. He will work remotely from the Netherlands, occasionally visiting the Bay Area.
Google Watch
Stop Making Sense—The Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google is focusing on how the company’s control over ad tech tools harms competition. A key issue in the trial is defining the market Google dominates, which will affect the legal arguments on monopolistic practices. Google contends that the market includes a broader range of competitors, while the DOJ argues it has cornered a crucial segment of the digital advertising space, driving out smaller players. This case could reshape the ad tech industry significantly.
3D Watch
Put It In Print—ICON and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) are developing *El Cosmico*, the world's first 3D-printed hotel in the Texas desert, set for completion in 2026. This ambitious project spans 60 acres, blending luxury campground and hotel facilities with permanent homes. Using ICON’s Vulcan 3D-printing technology, structures are crafted with fluid, organic designs inspired by the desert landscape. Homes start at $2.29 million, with affordable housing options also in the mix, alongside community spaces like pools and camping areas. This project pushes the boundaries of 3D-printed architecture.
Instagram Watch
Follow The Thread—Meta's Threads platform has rolled out a new feature allowing users to see followers from the Fediverse. This enhancement builds on its ongoing integration with decentralized social networks using the ActivityPub protocol. By making this connection visible, Threads is positioning itself as more open to the Fediverse, enhancing interaction between platforms like Mastodon and Threads. This development is part of Meta’s broader effort to support decentralized networking, giving users more control and interoperability across various services. Read more at TechCrunch.
Robot Watch
The Robots Are Reporting—The top robotics developments for September 2024 include Rethink Robotics' relaunch with new collaborative robots, Pudu Robotics' debut of a semi-humanoid service robot, and China's strategic focus on robotics for economic growth. Other stories feature Amazon's AI deal with Covariant and investments in the robotics sector, which reached $1.3 billion. These updates comprehensively look at the latest innovations shaping the robotics industry.
YouTube Watch
Listen Now—YouTube TV now offers background listening, allowing users to continue listening to their favorite shows while using other apps or when their phone screen is off. This feature enhances multitasking and is available for both Android and iOS users, similar to the existing feature in the YouTube mobile app. It makes it easier for users to stay connected to their content without needing to keep their device active or on the same app screen.
Workplace Watch
It’s Whose Work—Women in heterosexual households often bear a greater digital burden, managing both work and family responsibilities online. Technology, while helpful, exacerbates this imbalance, adding to their mental load. Studies show that women handle more family-related digital tasks, such as school communications and planning, which often go unnoticed and unshared with partners. This digital overload, worsened by flexible working arrangements, contributes to stress and career limitations. Solutions include sharing digital responsibilities more evenly, using tools like shared calendars, and encouraging fathers to engage more actively in household organization.
Starbucks Watch
It’s A Duet—Starbucks has launched the *Milano Duetto* across Europe, a new coffee inspired by Milan’s café culture. This product features unique coffee blends paired with flavors like chocolate and caramel, reflecting the brand’s focus on offering high-quality, locally influenced beverages. The introduction is part of Starbucks' efforts to innovate within its European market and appeal to local tastes.
Wine Watch
Wine Roads Less Traveled—There are nine countries with unique wine traditions that may surprise you. From Hungary’s legendary "Bull’s Blood" red, Uruguay’s tannat grape, and Georgia’s ancient kvevri winemaking method, to emerging regions like England, Armenia, and Lebanon, these nations offer distinct flavors and centuries-old histories. Israel, Macedonia, and China are also noted for their evolving wine industries, with some, like China's Ao Yun, producing luxury bottles from Himalayan vineyards. These destinations provide wine lovers with exciting alternatives to the usual wine powerhouses.
App of The Day
Boingo Wireless is a global Wi-Fi provider that offers access to over 1 million hotspots in airports, hotels, cafes, stadiums, and transit hubs. It is particularly useful for travelers looking to stay connected while on the go. Boingo simplifies connectivity by offering two main options: the Boingo Wi-Finder app and Passpoint, which streamline access to these hotspots.
Key Features:
1. Boingo Wi-Finder App: Available for both iOS and Android, this app allows you to quickly connect to any nearby Boingo hotspots with a single tap. The app also provides a map of available hotspots to make finding one easier.
2. Passpoint: This service is designed for seamless and secure connections at select airports and hotspots. Once you register, your device automatically connects you to Boingo's network without needing to log in every time. Passpoint is supported on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.
Pricing:
Boingo's Unlimited Plan is available for $14.99 per month. It includes unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi access at over 1 million hotspots worldwide. A single account can connect up to four devices (phones, laptops, tablets).
Special Offers:
If you're a Mastercard holder, you might be eligible for free Boingo access as part of certain premium card benefits. Some Mastercard holders can enjoy unlimited ground-based Wi-Fi at Boingo hotspots and even limited free in-flight Wi-Fi sessions.
Boingo is particularly popular at major airports, including hubs like LAX, JFK, and Dubai. It provides a reliable solution for avoiding spotty or expensive public Wi-Fi options.
You can download the Boingo Wi-Finder app via the App Store or Google Play to get started.
