Month: October 2024

This is Jarvis: the AI agent that Google is developing capable of controlling your PC's browser

Google is reportedly developing an artificial intelligence agent, internally known as “Project Jarvis,” designed to perform various tasks in a web browser. According to The Information, this tool would be unveiled in December along with the next version of Gemini, its large language model, and would allow users to perform actions directly in the browser without the need for APIs or screen recording techniques, simplifying online research and other activities. Users would only need to give instructions, and the system would automatically act, performing tasks such as filling out forms, booking flights, or making purchases online. The plan […]

Google is reportedly developing an artificial intelligence agent, internally known as “Project Jarvis”, designed to perform various tasks in a web browser.

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According to The Information, this tool would be showcased in December along with the next version of Gemini, its large language model, and would allow users to perform actions directly in the browser without the need for APIs or screen recording techniques, simplifying online research and other activities. It would be enough to just give instructions, and the system would act automatically, performing tasks such as filling out forms, booking flights, or making purchases on the Internet.

The plan to showcase Jarvis in December would be subject to change, according to The Information. Additionally, the outlet claims that Google is considering launching it among a select group of users to test it before releasing it to the general public.

Google is not the only company developing AI agents. For example, Microsoft recently announced the launch of its own agents, capable of performing various tasks without supervision. On the other hand, Anthropic announced a few days ago an agent called “Computer Usage” capable of controlling the mouse cursor to perform basic tasks and automating all kinds of processes on a PC.

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A transcription AI developed by OpenAI and used in hospitals lies through its teeth

Whisper, the transcription tool developed by OpenAI and based on artificial intelligence, is lying a lot. Too much. According to several experts in the technological field, this tool is prone to “hallucinate,” meaning it invents text fragments or entire sentences, which can have dire consequences in sectors like healthcare. A group of researchers and developers consulted by the Associated Press explained that Whisper, used in multiple fields, tends to generate erroneous transcriptions that include invented content and even racist comments. This becomes even more problematic when its use extends to high-risk areas, such as the transcription of medical consultations, […]

Whisper, the transcription tool developed by OpenAI and based on artificial intelligence, is lying a lot. Too much. According to several experts in the technological field, this tool is prone to “hallucinate,” meaning it invents text fragments or entire sentences, which can have dire consequences in sectors such as healthcare.

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A group of researchers and developers consulted by Associated Press explained that Whisper, used in multiple fields, tends to generate erroneous transcriptions that include fabricated content and even racist comments.

This becomes even more problematic when its use extends to high-risk areas, such as transcription of medical consultations, where a failure in accuracy could directly affect patients’ health. “No one wants a misdiagnosis,” stated Alondra Nelson, former director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who believes that greater reliability should be required for this type of technology.

The scope of the problem is considerable. A recent study detected 187 hallucinations in more than 13,000 clear audio fragments, and in another analysis, a researcher from the University of Michigan found hallucinations in 8 out of 10 inspected transcripts. Furthermore, the errors are not limited to long or low-quality fragments; they also occur in short and well-recorded audios. A machine learning engineer claimed to have found errors in half of the 100 hours of transcripts he analyzed.

These failures have led experts and advocates for the ethical use of artificial intelligence to call for the U.S. government to regulate the use of these tools. Christian Vogler, a deaf academic from Gallaudet University, points out that Whisper is also used to caption videos for deaf people, who are especially vulnerable to transcription errors. According to experts, resolving these bugs should be a priority for OpenAI before Whisper is implemented in systems and applications that require high precision in their operation.

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If the pandemic never ended in your heart, you have Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete just around the corner

Animal Crossing is a game that exploded in popularity with the pandemic. It would be unfair to say that this popularity was only due to COVID and not because it is an excellent game in itself, but the fact that we were all locked down and it offered us routine and freedom certainly helped it a lot. That’s why many people are fond of it and keep returning to it. Also, for that reason, many people have lamented the closure of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the mobile version of the game. Although it seems it won’t last much longer. Nintendo has announced that the […]

Animal Crossing is a game that skyrocketed in popularity with the pandemic. It would be unfair to say that this popularity was solely due to COVID and not because it is an excellent game in itself, but the fact that we were all locked down and it offered us routine and freedom certainly helped it a lot. That’s why many people are fond of it and keep returning to it. Also, for that reason, many people have lamented the closure of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the mobile version of the game. Although it seems it won’t last much longer.

Nintendo has announced that the game will return before the end of the year under the name Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. Removing all in-game purchases, the game will include all the items and events that were added throughout the game’s seven-year lifespan. All for a price of $9.99, at least if you’re quick. Because this offer will last until January 31, 2025, when its price will officially rise to $19.99.

If you are interested in returning to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, you can do so on December 3rd. Additionally, you can register now to download the game at its launch on both Android via Google Play and iOS through the App Store.

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4.5
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a free mobile simulation game developed by Nintendo Co., Ltd., the brains that produced popular mobile games, such as Mario Kart Tour, Super Mario Run, and Fire Emblem Heroes. It enables you to design your campsite, camper, and cabin to a style that suits your preference.

Steins;Gate, the cult video game, returns in an unexpected way

Between anime and visual novels, there is a very intimate relationship that is not always recognized. It’s not that it’s hidden or very difficult to find either. Otaku culture has always felt an affinity for both fields, and it’s logical that they have influenced each other for decades. A clear example of this is Steins;Gate, which is among the top exponents. It will soon have a new version. In recent days, the franchise has been celebrating its fifteenth anniversary. To commemorate this, they held a concert named Steins;Gate 15th Live: One World, where they performed the […]

Between anime and visual novels, there is a very intimate relationship that is not always recognized. It’s not that it’s hidden or very difficult to find. Otaku culture has always felt an affinity for both fields, and it’s logical that they have fed off each other for decades. Something that has a very clear exponent, and among its greatest exponents, we could say, Steins;Gate. Which will soon have a new version.

During these days, the franchise has been celebrating its fifteenth anniversary. To commemorate this, they held a concert named Steins;Gate 15th Live: One World, where the franchise’s songs were performed live. Additionally, some news about the franchise was presented. For instance, Steins;Gate will have a new title, named Steins;Gate Reboot, which, as the name suggests, aims to be a reboot of the franchise as we know it.

Although MAGES., the developing studio, has not wanted to go into too much detail, they have emphasized that it will not be a mere port or remaster. This will be a version of the story with new graphics and some additional elements in the story, although they have not wanted to delve into what these changes would be.

If you don’t know Steins;Gate, it’s a visual novel where we control Okabe Rintaro, aka Okarin, who calls himself a mad scientist. Due to some strange circumstances, he becomes involved with Makise Kurisu, a neuroscience researcher at an American university, only 18 years old. And what are those strange circumstances? Time travel. Murders. And who knows, perhaps the possibility of the annihilation of reality as we know it in one of the most convoluted, yet satisfying, stories the genre has produced.

If all this sounds interesting, the game has been available on PC since 2016. But it might be worth waiting a bit. Because Steins;Gate Re:Boot will be released in 2025, on a date yet to be determined, according to the brief and not very informative first trailer of the game. So, whether you are a lifelong fan of MAGES. games or it’s your first time encountering it, you have something to look forward to in the future. If the future hasn’t happened already.

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STEINS;GATE ELITE is an adventure game developed by MAGES, Inc. and published by Spike Chunsoft., Ltd. In STEINS;GATE ELITE, you get sucked into a complex plot that involves changing the past and leaping through time.

Nvidia has just dethroned Apple in its domain: no one is worth more than them

Nvidia dethroned Apple on Friday as the most valuable company in the world after a record rise in its shares. Nvidia is the fastest-growing company in the tech world over the past two years thanks to AI. Nvidia’s market value briefly touched $3.53 trillion, slightly above Apple’s $3.52 trillion, according to LSEG data. Nvidia ended the day with a 0.8% increase in market value, while Apple’s shares rose by 0.4%. And that’s where the overtaking occurred. […]

Nvidia dethroned Apple on Friday as the most valuable company in the world following a record rise in its shares. Nvidia is the fastest-growing company in the tech world over the last two years thanks to AI.

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Nvidia’s market value briefly touched $3.53 billion, slightly above Apple’s $3.52 billion, according to LSEG data.

Nvidia ended the day with an increase of 0.8%, with a market value, while Apple’s shares rose by 0.4%. And that’s where the overtaking occurred.

Nvidia returns to the throne after doing so in the summer

In June, Nvidia briefly became the most valuable company in the world before being surpassed by Microsoft and Apple. The stock market capitalizations of the tech trio have been on par for several months.

The Silicon Valley chip manufacturer is the dominant supplier of processors used in AI computing, and the company has become the biggest winner in a race among Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and other heavyweights to dominate the emerging technology.

Known since the 1990s as a processor designer for video games, Nvidia’s shares have risen by about 18% so far in October, with a series of gains occurring after OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced a $6.6 billion funding round.

Reasons for this unparalleled growth

Nvidia and other semiconductor stocks rose on Friday after the data storage manufacturer Western Digital announced quarterly earnings that exceeded analysts’ estimates, boosting optimism about data center demand.

Nvidia’s shares reached an all-time high on Tuesday, capitalizing on last week’s rally, when TSMC, the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, reported a 54% increase in its quarterly profit, driven by the rising demand for chips used in AI.

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In comparison, analysts’ forecasts for Nvidia point to a revenue growth of nearly 82%, reaching $32.9 billion.

The shares of Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft have an outsized influence on the high-value tech sector, as well as on the U.S. stock market in general, as the trio accounts for approximately one-fifth of the weighting of the S&P 500 index.

Instagram reveals why some videos have lower quality than others

Many people have complained that their videos don’t look as good as the videos uploaded by influencers and celebrities on Instagram. Until now, we thought it was a matter of views… and the company’s CEO confirms it. The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, recently spoke about video quality in an AMA, confirming that the quality of Instagram videos depends, in part, on views. “If something isn’t watched for a long time because the vast majority of views are at the beginning, we will move on to a video of […]

Many people have complained that their videos don’t look as good as the videos uploaded by influencers and celebrities on Instagram. Until now, we thought it was a matter of views… and the company’s CEO confirms it.

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The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, recently spoke about video quality in an AMA, confirming that the quality of Instagram videos depends, in part, on the views.

“If something is not viewed for a long time because the vast majority of views are at the beginning, we will switch to a lower quality video,” said Mosseri. “And if it starts getting viewed a lot again, we will re-render it to a higher quality video.”

This is what the CEO of Instagram says about low-quality videos

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Mosseri adds that if someone views it with a slow Internet connection, the videos will also render with lower quality: “The goal is to show people the highest quality content we can.”

The video quality on Instagram works on an aggregate level and not individually, confirmed Mosseri in a subsequent post on Threads.

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“We lean towards higher quality (more CPU-intensive encoding and more expensive storage for larger files) for creators who drive more views. It is not a binary threshold, but a sliding scale,” explains the company’s CEO.

Details of the camera for the Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 are leaked: it's hard to believe they are true

Although the Pixel 9 has just been released, many insiders are already thinking about Google’s upcoming models. The Pixel 10 is the main focus of this article, where we discuss the latest rumors regarding the camera of Google’s 2025 phone. This information comes from Android Authority, which claims to have seen credible documents leaked from Google’s chip division (the team working on their chipsets like the Tensor G4 found in the Google Pixel 9) revealing the capabilities of the Tensor G5 in the upcoming Pixel 10. […]

While the Pixel 9 has just been launched, many insiders are thinking about Google’s upcoming models. And the Pixel 10 is the main focus of this article where we discuss the latest rumors regarding the camera of Google’s 2025 phone.

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This comes via Android Authority which claims to have seen credible documents that have been leaked from Google’s chip division (the team working on their chipsets like the Tensor G4 found in the Google Pixel 9) revealing the capabilities of the Tensor G5 of the upcoming Pixel 10.

Some of the details are still vague, but the two most interesting ones are the so-called “Video Generative ML” feature, described as AI-based video editing post-capture. This should allow you to use AI to edit your videos more easily in the Photos app, and a Speak-to-Tweak tool that sounds like it would let you edit snapshots by describing the changes.

The Pixel 11 will bring the most incredible improvements we’ve heard of in a camera

The leaked documents talk about the improvements to the camera of the Google Pixel 11 that will come through its G6 chip. One of the most notable is that, thanks to machine learning, the Google Pixel 11 could offer a 100x zoom in photos and videos, as well as new “ultra-low light video” processing on the device, instead of relying on the cloud as a version of this feature currently does.

As with all leaks, especially those concerning a phone whose launch is almost two years away, they should be taken with caution.

Even if the leaks represent Google’s current plans for the Pixel 10 and 11, development changes from now until launch could mean that the software we get when the phones are released may not offer all these tools.

These leaks increase the concern that phone camera photos are becoming less real. Obviously, there are the major alterations that would come from the ability to add and alter elements of photos and videos, but even the 100x zoom tool dependent on machine learning will raise concern among purists, assuming there are no significant changes in the camera hardware.

China has just caught up with the United States in the space adventure

The first Chinese space tourism company took a small step towards commercial reality last week when it sold the first tickets for its rocket to space. SpaceX and Blue Origin now have a rival on the other side of the world. Deep Blue Aerospace used a live broadcast on the Chinese e-commerce site Taobao to sell two seats on its first suborbital flights for only 1,000,000 yen (140,000 dollars), a great discount, given that future flights are expected to cost 1,500,000 yen (210,000 dollars) per seat. The discount is understandable, as it is not expected that […]

The first Chinese space tourism company took a small step towards commercial reality last week when it sold the first tickets for its rocket to space. SpaceX and Blue Origin already have a rival on the other side of the world.

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Deep Blue Aerospace used a live broadcast on the Chinese e-commerce site Taobao to sell two seats on its first suborbital flights for only 1,000,000 yen ($140,000), a great discount, given that future flights are expected to cost 1,500,000 yen ($210,000) per seat.

The discount is understandable, as the flight is not expected to take off for about three years. It’s worth arriving early when you can save so much money.

The cheapest flight is Chinese, as it could not be otherwise

By way of comparison, the Japanese company Iwaya Giken will take passengers to space for $180,000, Virgin Galactic charges $450,000 and it is rumored that Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, asks for more than $200,000.

The live broadcast was the first time that space tourism tickets were put on sale in China and it attracted three million viewers.

The space company boasted that the tickets were sold out… which doesn’t seem really difficult, as only two tickets were put on sale.

The two lucky anonymous buyers of this approximately 12-minute trip “will experience the vastness and mystery of the universe” in “a multisensory and comprehensive space journey” that Deep Blue Aerospace describes as unforgettable.

That journey will take them and up to four other passengers beyond the Kármán line, the altitude of 100 kilometers commonly recognized as the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, where they will experience weightlessness for about five minutes.

The spacecraft intended to transport passengers is called Nebula-1. The rocket, powered by kerosene and oxygen, will launch a 7.9-ton capsule named Rocketaholic, which offers passengers the opportunity to look out through six windows.

According to state media, the rocket, China’s first reusable launcher similar to SpaceX’s rocket, can be used up to 50 times.

The two ticket holders will pay an initial deposit of 50,000 yen ($7,000). They will also sign a confidentiality agreement and, interestingly, promise not to throw their trash into space.

Apple is testing a blood glucose monitoring app: what we know about this ultra-secret project

Apple has taken another step towards its flagship health care project: a blood glucose monitoring app. A project that could change the lives of millions of people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A project that, according to Bloomberg, has led the company to test an application this year designed to help people with prediabetes manage their diet and make lifestyle changes. Although the project has been kept under a veil of great secrecy, it is expected that someday this technology will be integrated into […]

Apple has taken another step towards its flagship healthcare project: a blood glucose monitoring app. A project that could change the lives of millions of people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A project that, according to Bloomberg, has led the company to test this year an application designed to help people with prediabetes manage their diet and make lifestyle changes. Although the project has been kept under a veil of great secrecy, it is expected that someday this technology will be integrated into Apple products.

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An app to prevent diabetes in time

Apple’s test app aims to better understand the impact of diet on the blood sugar levels of its users. The application would allow, for example, users to record their glucose levels after eating certain foods and, from there, recommend specific dietary changes to avoid sugar spikes that could be delicate. This is especially relevant for people with prediabetes, who do not yet have type 2 diabetes but are at risk of developing it if they do not manage to make changes in their habits.

One of the examples given in the Bloomberg report illustrates well how the app could work. If a person consumed pasta for lunch and, after logging it, the application detected a significant increase in glucose levels, the system could suggest reducing carbohydrate intake or even replacing them with proteins to avoid those spikes. In practice, the app would help users visualize how different types of foods affect their sugar levels, proposing informed changes in their diet and, therefore, reducing the risk of developing diabetes.

A project shrouded in secrecy, but a known objective

Unlike other Apple health projects, such as sleep tracking or hearing health, the testing of this app was especially confidential. Participation in the project required employees to demonstrate their prediabetic status through blood tests. Those selected kept a detailed record of their glucose using various devices on the market, which still require a finger prick or insertion sensors.

According to Bloomberg, the company has paused the app itself for the moment, but Gurman’s sources claim that Apple is still working on the development of non-invasive monitoring technologies that could integrate the app’s design as part of its functions.

The Cupertino company has been researching non-invasive technologies to measure glucose levels for more than a decade, an effort that dates back to Steve Jobs himself. Although initially it seemed like an overly ambitious project, Apple has been making progress in its development and achieving significant milestones in recent years. As far as we know, this project is under the supervision of Apple’s hardware technologies team and has an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.

The development of this technology has the potential to change the lives of people who suffer from diabetes or are at risk of developing it. A non-invasive sensor would allow users to measure their glucose continuously without the need for needles, something key for both comfort and long-term monitoring.

Although there are still no plans to launch the app on the market, the Apple Watch has already proven to be extremely accurate for heart rate tracking, fall detection, and more recently, blood oxygen analysis. The integration of non-invasive glucose monitoring technology will be, when it can happen, a decisive step in taking even better care of our health.

iOS 18.1 is already here: these are all the new features

It’s official. iOS 18.1 is here, and with it comes Apple Intelligence to the general public. While we await more launches, this update is full of new features, many of which focus on the implementation of Apple’s artificial intelligence, and others aimed at bringing us functions that were introduced a few months ago at WWDC 2024. Without further ado, let’s look at all the new features. New writing tools One of the biggest new features of iOS 18.1 is the arrival of writing tools, available in any application where text can be written. If we have an iPhone 16 […]

It’s official. iOS 18.1 is here and with it comes Apple Intelligence to the general public. While we wait for more launches, this is an update full of new features, many of them focused on the implementation of Apple’s artificial intelligence, and others aimed at bringing us functions that were introduced a few months ago at WWDC 2024. Let’s take a look, without further ado, at all the new features.

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New Writing Tools

One of the biggest innovations in iOS 18.1 is the introduction of writing tools, available in any application where text can be written. If we have an iPhone 16 or an iPhone 15 with the Pro designation, currently the only iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence, we can access features such as rewriting, reviewing, and summarizing texts intelligently.

The “Rewrite” tool suggests different versions of the written text, such as Professional, Informal, or Fun. Meanwhile, “Review” allows us to make corrections and improvements in grammar and language. Finally, the “Summary” option helps generate summaries of various types for any selected text.

Smarter and More Versatile Siri

With iOS 18.1, Siri receives an update that transforms the way we interact with the virtual assistant. Siri now features a revamped aesthetic, with a colorful light indicator that wraps around the screen while responding to us, and allows us to continue typing or scrolling through the screen while consulting it.

Siri understands natural language much better, adapting to pauses or changes in sentences. It even maintains the context of conversations, making communication much smoother and more similar to human interaction. With iOS 18.1, the possibility of activating the “Type to Siri” function with a double tap at the bottom of the screen also arrives. Siri knows the devices better, so we can ask how to perform certain actions, and it also has improvements in voice, to sound more natural and expressive.

Improvements in Photos

Another notable feature in iOS 18.1 is the expansion of search capabilities in Photos. Now, we can find images and videos by describing their content, making the search more intuitive.

Additionally, the “Clean” function is added to remove distractions in photos, and a tool to create memory videos describing the story you want to tell.

Optimized notifications and messages

Notification management has also received changes in iOS 18.1. With the notification summary, the system presents a quick overview of the most relevant information, making it easier for us to stay updated without being overwhelmed by alerts.

The new feature to reduce interruptions in Focus modes allows us to receive only urgent notifications, silencing distractions. In Mail and Messages, the quick reply suggests responses to streamline communication, and the priority messages feature highlights emails that require immediate attention.

Call recording and real-time transcriptions

We can now record phone calls in the Phone app and transcribe them directly in the Notes app. With an automatic notification informing all participants that the call is being recorded, this feature allows us to later copy parts of the conversation or perform searches within it.

Improvements in the camera and AirPods

In iOS 18.1, the camera has improved with more options for the Camera Control of the iPhone 16, as now we can quickly switch between the front and rear camera. The iPhone 15 Pro also receives new features in the form of a mode for capturing spatial photos, complementing the spatial video capture capabilities they already had.

Regarding the AirPods, this update brings new hearing health features to the AirPods Pro. It is now possible to perform a hearing test in the United States, and with the results, the sound is personalized in real-time to assist users with mild or moderate hearing loss. Hearing protection has also been implemented, which minimizes exposure to loud environmental noises in different listening modes.

Finally, iOS 18.1 fixes some bugs, such as the one that could interrupt playback in the Podcasts app and an error in the digital keys of some cars. It also improves functionality in the Control Center, where connectivity controls can be added individually. Additionally, the search in the App Store and Game Center invitations have been optimized.

A complete update in every sense. News from Apple Intelligence, improvements in various parts of the system, and bug fixes. This is an update we will want to install as soon as possible.