MIT’s AI can train neural networks faster than ever before
Abstract network molecular block chain structure - 3d rendered image on black background
Today, AI can design machine learning systems known as neural networks in a process called neural architecture search (NAS). But this technique requires a considerable amount of resources like time, processing power and money. Even for Google, producing a single convolution neural network -- often used for image classification -- takes 48,000 GPU hours. Now, MIT researchers have developed a NAS algorithm that automatically learns a convolution neural network in a fraction of the time -- just 200 GPU hours.
While this is certainly not uncomplicated, it could be a step toward putting AI and machine learning in the hands of more people and companies, freeing it from the towers of tech giants.
See the full story here: https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/22/mit-ai-automated-neural-network-design/
Google Stadia is a Net Neutrality Nightmare
Google Stadia will run video games on Google’s own hardware in a server farm and stream the experience to anything with a screen.
But the United States government just recently gave up its ability to prevent internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon from charging different amounts for different types of internet services, placing all legal leverage in the hands of the corporation, such that the whims of your internet consumption pertain ever more to the depth of your wallet. A successful Google Stadia is a prime target in a post-net neutrality world, and the hungry demon between you and Google is the devil itself: Comcast.
See the full story here: https://variety.com/2019/digital/opinion/google-stadia-is-a-net-neutrality-nightmare-1203170741/
This app uses augmented reality to rewrite ‘herstory’
The study’s authors Kay A. Chick and Stacey Corle wrote: “Women have and still do make up 50% [of] Americans, but are represented in only a small fraction of the historical record… As long as textbook publishers focus on military and political history over social history, men will be highlighted in American history textbooks and the number of women portrayed will not see significant change.”
A novel solution
To set the historical record straight for Women’s History Month, commemorated in March, a new app uses augmented reality to “add” the missing women into school textbooks in California.
Lessons In Herstory allows students to scan over any portrait of a man in the book A History of US, Book 5: Liberty For All? 1820–1860 to unlock a related story about a forgotten woman in history.
The app was made by Daughters of the Evolution, an organization to help young women create the world they want to live in, co-founded by a San Francisco-based advertising agency.
It currently features a diverse selection of 75 women from the 19th century, including Harriet Tubman and Gertrude Stein, who were chosen by author and feminist historian Kate Schatz.
See the full story here: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/this-app-uses-augmented-reality-to-rewrite-herstory/
nreal and Netease AR showcased augmented reality game YuME at GDC 2019
nreal, developer of sunglass-style mixed reality glasses, showcased their nreal light glasses with Netease AR’s augmented reality game YuME at GDC 2019 this week.
nreal light uses USB Type-C to tether to 5G smartphones using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform to enable mixed reality and augmented reality applications and gaming. The MR glasses featured 1080p HD display, 52° Field of View, and 6DoF (Six Degress of Freedom) tracking. The glasses even come with interchangeable prescription lenses, foldable temples, and nosepads.
See the full story here: https://techaeris.com/2019/03/23/nreal-and-netease-ar-showcased-augmented-reality-game-yume-at-gdc-2019
ALIBABA ACQUIRES ISRAELI AUGMENTED REALITY START-UP INFINITYAR
Founded in 2013, InfinityAR is a provider of an operating system that turns augmented reality glasses into a content-augmentation platform, based on its own inside-out simultaneous localization and mapping solution, or SLAM.
InfinityAR has been working with Alibaba since 2016, when Jack Ma’s group led an $18m. Series C financing round for the company, in partnership with Japanese IT and entertainment firm Sun Corporation.
In December 2018, the Alibaba Group made a strategic investment in Tel Aviv-based public transit optimization start-up Optibus, and since 2016 has also invested in cloud-connected dashcam developer Nexar, advanced GPU data warehouse providers SQream Technologies, augmented-reality company Lumus and e-commerce search engine firm Twiggle.
See the full story here: https://www.jpost.com/Jpost-Tech/Business-and-Innovation/Alibaba-acquires-Israeli-augmented-reality-start-up-InfinityAR-584443
Cyberpsychology and Mobile UX: 5 Ways To Optimize Cognitive Load
#4 Balance text and imagery information
Don’t display to a user more than you have to. Use only relevant graphics and a balanced mix of imagery and text. That will help you make a user understand your product better by tapping into the visual and verbal processing centers of the brain.
#5 Structurize your content
Display information in small, easily digestible chunks of information.
Read the full story here: https://www.business2community.com/mobile-apps/cyberpsychology-and-mobile-ux-5-ways-to-optimize-cognitive-load-02183421
Nintendo Labo VR hands-on: virtual reality goes DIY
All of the games have to be played with the headset held up to your face, which has its pros and cons. On one hand, little arms could get tired holding the Switch screen after a while; but on the other, some of minigames are designed to be played in turns, and it’s quicker to pass around the screen than it is to deal with all the fuss taking a headset on and off. Passing the headset around is meant to encourage “both virtual and real-world interactions,” says Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser.
Imagine a room-scale 3D painting app like Google’s Tilt Brush, only your paintbrush is an elephant’s trunk. That’s Doodle, one of the games based around Labo’s VR elephant mask and trunk.
See the full story here: https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/21/18274405/nintendo-labo-vr-kit-switch-hands-on
Burpee Museum Augmented Reality App Wins Two Gold ADDYs
About the Burpee Museum App
Burpee Museum of Natural History is the home of Jane, the world’s most complete and best-preserved juvenile T. rex; Homer, a “teenaged” Triceratops; and Pearl, a newly found Oviraptor. The museum features extensive paleontology collections, as well as exhibits on the history of Native Americans in North America, the wildlife of the Rock River Valley, and more.
Burpee Museum App Augmented Reality
The Burpee Museum app makes it possible for the public to interact with Burpee’s exhibits in a whole new way, all thanks to augmented reality, a technology that uses the camera of a mobile device to add extra layers of content to the viewer’s physical surroundings. The Burpee app allows users to augment 3D historical and natural artifacts such as a beaver skull, a T. rex claw, a Hopi Kachina doll, and more.
Burpee Museum App Video
Use the app to augment a fossil into your own physical space, examine it from all sides, and study it at scale. Read about its history and where it was discovered, then snap a photo of the fossil in your environment to share.
See the full story here: http://whattheythink.com/news/94461-burpee-museum-augmented-reality-app-wins-two-gold-addys/
Augmented reality is key to transforming utility operations
“The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is working with large utilities such as Duke Energy, Consolidated Edison, EDF, Korea Electric Power Corporation and others on how AR can fit into the industry's workforce. Many AR devices manufacturing firms are also making huge investments in AR such as Atheer, DAQRI, Google, Microsoft, ODG, Magic Leap among others with AR sunglasses, helmets and other devices being largely developed and experimented for various applications. There are developments on different AR devices from heads up displays (HUD), holographic displays, and smart glasses to handheld/smartphone based.
“AR systems are flexible to operate with mobile devices, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/unmanned aerial system (UAS) along with UAV’s sensors, communication capabilities and on-the-ground or remote pilots. Internet of Things (IoT) will also play its role by putting together disparate devices, networks and databases to provide data-driven insights. Asset management, outage management systems, distribution management systems, geographic information systems and other existing utility applications will improve with new data sources by integrating the existing and new utility systems.”
See the full story here: https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/new-technology/augmented-reality-is-key-to-transforming-utility-operations/
Holographic Augmented Reality Summer Camp Allows Students to Be Involved in the Future of Game Design
International Augmented Reality Education Foundation is partnering with Integem Inc. to offer Holographic Augmented Reality summer camps to students at multiple locations in the Bay Area.
The Holographic Augmented Reality (Holographic AR) game design camps are three-week camps that teach students how to program, design and create their own Holographic AR games. Students will learn 3D plus Time domain (4D programming) using a design-thinking process to creatively design their own game. The summer camp is designed for students with all computer skills, from zero experience to advanced level. The goal is to enable every student to program, design and innovate with future tech.
With Holographic Augmented Reality (Holographic AR), campers not only play the character but become one as they are transported into a computer-generated reality with Holographic AR technology where they interact with their environment and change the outcome with their body movements, hand gestures and facial expressions. This style of gameplay enhances coordination and plays off the imagination.
The powerful Holographic AR programming language iCreator is the only programming language that allows students to design a game where they can see themselves inside while running the program.
See the full story here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holographic-augmented-reality-summer-camp-allows-students-to-be-involved-in-the-future-of-game-design-300816898.html
