The Comunicano Sunday Edition for September 29th 2024
Everything But The Funnies
Let me unlock this door with the key of curiosity. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of headlines, choices, and where consequences unfold. Today, you’re moving into a world where the speed of light and the speed of progress are neck-and-neck. Welcome to today’s news. Welcome to The Sunday Edition of “The Comunicano.”
In California, the governor says, "Slow down." A bill to install speed-alert systems in new cars? Denied. The roads still stretch long and fast, but the speed demons have won this round. Safety advocates? They’ll wait, perhaps for a sign from above—or maybe just from Washington….Meanwhile, in the far reaches of Silicon Valley, OpenAI finds itself on the event horizon of its own creation. Its vast empire of artificial intelligence? Expanding faster than it can control. Executives drift off, the gravitational pull of competition growing stronger. Structured outputs offer a glimmer of hope—a formula to bring order to the chaos. But can they keep the machine from unraveling? Only time, and perhaps the next algorithm, will tell.
Deep in the Peruvian desert, the past isn’t safe from the future. AI, like a cosmic archaeologist, unearths new Nazca Lines—over 700 previously hidden secrets now drawn into the light. It’s not magic, it’s not a miracle—it’s technology peeling back the layers of history. Just as humans reach for the stars, machines now reach into the sands……But beware, every leap forward has a price. The AI boom is no exception. Data centers across the globe are sucking up energy like black holes, pulling in watts with no end in sight. It’s a power struggle of the highest order—one that will determine how bright the future glows, or if it flickers out.
On the roads, at the office, even in your living room—technology shapes our world. Robots that fold your laundry and apps that build themselves. But for every advancement, there's a trade-off…..Look at how those Amazon employees are grumbling at the demand to return to offices, while car manufacturers bristle at the thought of boring cars.
So, as you drive, code, and sip your dirty soda, remember: progress is a delicate dance between control and chaos. We’ve crossed the threshold into the unknown, and the question remains—are we steering the future, or just trying to keep up?
The news starts here, in the twilight between what is and what might be. And it’s all here today. Just for you, in The Sunday Edition of “The Comunicano.”
Andy Abramson
California Watch
Speed Demons—California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill requiring new cars to have speed-alert systems starting in 2030. The bill aimed to reduce traffic fatalities by notifying drivers when they exceeded speed limits. While proponents hoped it would lead to national adoption, Newsom cited concerns over creating fragmented state regulations and preferred waiting for federal guidelines. Car manufacturers opposed the bill, arguing it would complicate compliance. The veto is seen as a setback for road safety advocates.
OpenAI Watch
All This Is AI—OpenAI’s growing portfolio risks product creep, complicating its value proposition. As key executives depart, the company faces the challenge of managing a maturing business while avoiding being overtaken by competitors. The rise of enterprise subscribers for ChatGPT signals a focus on this market, yet costs and product complexity remain critical hurdles as OpenAI competes in the crowded AI space.
Who Needs Structure—OpenAI's Structured Outputs feature is a game-changer, making it easier for developers to work with AI-generated data. Providing a specific structure ensures the model's output is predictable and easy to use. This means less hassle dealing with messy data and more time building amazing applications.
A Mini Upgrade—ChatGPT’s mini version, GPT-4o mini, just got a bunch of cool upgrades. It can now generate images and access the internet to find up-to-date information, just like its big brother GPT-4o. You can also upload documents and images for the mini model to analyze. Plus, it can now remember past conversations, making interactions more natural. Overall, these upgrades make the mini model more powerful and useful for a wider range of tasks.
AI Watch
Can You Dig It—Buckle up folks, 'cause AI's not just writing emails anymore. It's unearthing secrets in the Peruvian desert! Yep, researchers teamed up with AI to nearly DOUBLE the known Nazca Lines. These massive ancient doodles? Now, we're talking over 700! Everything from killer whales to humanoid figures – all hidden in plain sight. Talk about a history lesson you can see from space. Amazing what a little tech and curiosity can dig up, huh?
We Need More Power—Hold on to your hats, folks, 'cause the AI boom is about to hit the power grid like a lightning bolt! Turns out all those fancy data centers powering ChatGPT and its buddies are thirsty for electricity - and there's only so much juice to go around. Tech giants are scrambling to find enough power, but it ain't easy. It's like a land grab in the Wild West, with everyone staking their claim to the nearest substation. Bottom line? AI's the future, but it will need a lot of watts to get there.
No Coding Required—Now, anyone can create a professional app in 30 minutes, even if they don't know how to code. GoodBarber is a platform that allows you to drag and drop features to build your app. It has a bunch of templates to get you started and you can also customize the design and add things like videos and social media feeds. Once your app is built, GoodBarber helps you publish it to the app store. In short, GoodBarber makes app development easy and accessible. So why not ditch the coding and give it a try?
Robot Watch
They Can Now Do What—Robots are taking over the world, but fear not! PickGPT is here to help humans and robots work together in harmony. This new system uses generative AI to allow people to program robots using natural language, no coding required. So you can tell your robot to do the dishes or fold your laundry, just like you would ask a human. And PickGPT is even smart enough to respond to changing conditions and identify objects, so your robot won't go haywire and start cleaning the cat.
Music Watch
Who Stopped The Music—Well, this is a real bummer! YouTube is in a legal spat with SESAC, and it's impacting some seriously iconic tunes. We're talking Adele, Bob Dylan, Green Day – artists we all know and love. It's a reminder that even in the digital age, the music industry still has its share of drama. Let's hope they resolve this soon, because I need my music fix! Read more from the Hollywood Reporter.
WorkPlace Watch
They’re Not Happy at Amazon—Amazon employees are increasingly upset over CEO Andy Jassy's mandate requiring workers to return to the office (RTO). The push for in-person work has sparked protests and petitions, as many staff members prefer the flexibility of remote work. Jassy has emphasized the need for office presence to boost collaboration and innovation. The RTO policy has led to growing tensions between management and employees, who feel that the company is disregarding their concerns. This dispute reflects the broader debate over remote work in the corporate world.
Election Watch
Prime TV May Go More Mainstream—Brian Williams may have found his next TV-news job….except it won’t be on traditional TV. According to five people familiar with the matter, the veteran NBC News and MSNBC anchor is reportedly in late-stage discussions to host a live Election Night special on Amazon Prime Video. The aim, these people say, is to have a non-partisan discussion of that evening’s events. If the project comes to fruition, it could mark the first entry into news-related programming by one of the industry’s stand-alone streaming giants, which have largely focused on movies, scripted original series, and reality programming. These people cautioned that the deal isn’t necessarily guaranteed to be completed.
Dating Watch
Hook ‘Em Up—Loss is a heavy burden, and everyone grieves differently. For one person, the unexpected passing of his wife led him down an unfamiliar path – the world of online dating. It's a raw and honest account of grappling with loneliness, seeking connection, and navigating the complexities of intimacy after loss. It's a reminder that there's no one "right" way to grieve, and that healing often takes unexpected turns.
Auto Watch
A Charging Conundrum—A Tesla driver, minding their own business, pluged in at the local bank to charge while running a quick errand. They return to find their car unplugged and their charge interrupted, all thanks to an inconsiderate fellow driver. Cue the frustration. In the world of EVs, charging etiquette is becoming as important as road etiquette. This incident highlights the growing pains of a rapidly electrifying world. With charging stations still relatively scarce, drivers are understandably protective of their access. However, unplugging someone else's car is a major faux pas. The golden rule still applies, even when it comes to electricity. Let's all be mindful and respectful at the charging stations, folks. After all, we're all in this together.
Your Baby’s Ugly—Ford's CEO Declares War on Bland, Saying He Wants to Make Iconic Vehicles Only! If he has his way, we can say goodbye to those sensible sedans and forgettable family haulers! Yes, it seems Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, is tired of playing it safe. He's ready to ditch the "boring car business" and focus on building vehicles that get hearts racing and heads turning. Think Mustangs, Broncos, and Raptors – the kind of cars that ignite passion and inspire adventure. Farley believes these are the vehicles that truly resonate with customers and deserve Ford's full attention. So, if you're in the market for a practical but predictable ride, Ford might not be your first stop anymore. But if you crave a vehicle that's as exciting to drive as it is to look at, Ford's future lineup is sure to have something to tempt you. Buckle up, folks, because Ford is about to get a whole lot more thrilling!
Wine Watch
Why I Always BYOB—Let's discuss why that glass of wine at your favorite restaurant costs more than a whole bottle at the liquor store. Listen, restaurants gotta keep the lights on, pay the staff, and cover the rent. And let's not forget those fancy glasses they pour your vino into. They're not cheap! So, next time you're out and about, and that wine list has you raising an eyebrow, just remember, it's not just the grape juice you're paying for. It's the whole experience!
Soda Watch
Do You Want That Dirty—So, you thought soda was just soda, right? Wrong! These "dirty soda shops" are poppin' up everywhere, and they're turnin' the humble fizzy drink into a gourmet experience. Imagine your favorite soda but amped up with flavored syrups, cream, and even fruit puree. It's like a dessert in a cup, and folks are lining up for it! Whether it's a Mormon cultural thing or just a sweet tooth craze, one thing's for sure – soda isn't just for kids anymore.
Spice Watch
Spice It Up—The return of pumpkin spice lattes each fall taps into our brains' emotional connections through the scent of spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. These aromas trigger comforting memories linked to festive seasons. Additionally, the drink's limited-time availability fuels desire through a sense of scarcity. While the spices evoke nostalgia, the sugar in the drink stimulates the brain’s reward system, adding to its appeal. Initially popularized by Starbucks, the pumpkin spice trend has expanded into a billion-dollar industry, influencing products beyond coffee.
Music Video of the Day
Movie Trailer of the Day
The App Review of The Day
Meco
Meco is an app designed to enhance your newsletter reading experience by moving your newsletters out of your cluttered email inbox into a dedicated, distraction-free space. This app offers a solution for those who subscribe to numerous newsletters but find them lost or overwhelmed amidst other emails.
Key Features:
1. Newsletter Aggregation: Meco connects with your existing Gmail or Outlook account, letting you automatically route newsletters to its platform, keeping your inbox clean. Alternatively, you can generate a custom Meco email address for newsletters only, isolating them completely from your primary email.
2. Declutter Your Inbox: By shifting all newsletters into Meco, it frees up your inbox, making it easier to manage personal and work emails. This approach streamlines your email experience, helping you focus on the content you signed up for without distractions.
3. Enhanced Reading Experience: The app provides a distraction-free environment to read your newsletters, offering features like dark mode and swipe navigation to enhance your reading experience. The layout is designed for clean, immersive reading, reducing the likelihood of interruptions.
4. Gmail and Outlook Integration: For users with multiple accounts, Meco integrates with both Gmail and Outlook, making it easy to manage subscriptions from different email services. However, there is a limit of three accounts for integration.
5. Summarization Feature: One of Meco's more innovative tools is a newsletter summarization feature, helping you catch up on missed newsletters by offering brief recaps of what you might have overlooked.
6. Cross-Platform Availability: Meco is available on iOS and Android, as well as offering a web version. You can download it via the App Store, Play Store or access the web app at Meco's website.
This app is ideal for anyone struggling to manage multiple newsletter subscriptions and seeking a way to keep them organized and accessible. Whether you're a newsletter enthusiast or just trying to declutter your inbox, Meco offers a streamlined and effective solution.
