Tech News Weekly 365: Android XR Is Google's Spatial Computing OS
Released on December 12, 2024 | Hosted by Micah Sargent and Amanda Silberling
Introduction
In the 365th episode of Tech News Weekly, hosted by Micah Sargent and Amanda Silberling, listeners are treated to a rich discussion covering the intersection of artificial intelligence and content creation, the ongoing drama between WordPress and WP Engine, the unveiling of Google's new spatial computing OS, Android XR, and Apple's latest advancements in AI-driven features.
AI and OpenAI’s Sora: Training on Video Games?
Timestamp: 00:00 - 12:23
Amanda Silberling opens the episode by discussing an intriguing investigation by her colleague, Kyle Wiggers, into OpenAI's video generation tool, Sora. The analysis suggests that Sora may have been trained on video games and Twitch streams, raising significant copyright and intellectual property concerns.
Notable Quotes:
- Amanda Silberling [02:40]: "SORA is training on video games and Twitch streams... you can type in things like 'Italian plumber game' and get Super Mario."
- Amanda Silberling [05:45]: "Copyright law hasn't caught up to the Internet, really. So to expect it to catch up to AI is like wild."
The conversation delves into the legal implications of using copyrighted material for AI training, questioning whether such practices constitute fair use. Amanda points out that even OpenAI's former CTO did not deny the inclusion of video games in the training data, highlighting the murky transparency surrounding AI training datasets.
Micah Sargent [06:49]:
"Every time there comes an opportunity to update those laws or clarify those laws, people seem to really kind of back away and say, oh, we'll just leave it alone."
As public access to Sora increases, the potential for broader scrutiny and discovery of its training sources is anticipated, mirroring ongoing debates about AI's role in content creation and intellectual property.
WordPress vs. WP Engine: A Legal Showdown
Timestamp: 12:23 - 26:13
Micah Sargent provides an update on the escalating conflict between Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) and WP Engine, a managed hosting provider that utilizes WordPress for its services. The dispute centers around payments and contributions to the WordPress platform.
Notable Quotes:
- Amanda Silberling [22:02]: "To use the Internet parlance, it feels very like the girls are fighting."
- Micah Sargent [26:13]: "I think that it's going to be fascinating watching what precedent potentially gets set here and what that does when it comes to this not small portion of the Internet, particularly in the U.S."
The tension began when Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic, criticized WP Engine for profiting more from WordPress without contributing sufficiently to its development. Automattic's demands for an 8% royalty fee or workforce allocation to WordPress development were rejected by WP Engine, leading to legal actions. Recently, a California district court judge ruled in favor of Automattic, mandating that WP Engine cease blocking access to WordPress.org resources and interfering with its plugins.
Micah and Amanda discuss the broader implications of this conflict, considering the vast influence WordPress has on the internet and the potential for Automattic to impact other third-party developers and services.
Android XR: Google's Leap into Spatial Computing
Timestamp: 31:10 - 47:45
In an exclusive segment, Jason Howell joins the show to discuss Android XR, Google's ambitious new spatial computing operating system. Howell had early access to Android XR prototypes, allowing him to provide firsthand insights into its capabilities and potential impact.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Howell [33:11]: "Google has recognized that there is yet another field of technology that they can potentially get a lot of support. A lot of manufacturers who are thinking about creating these different headsets..."
- Jason Howell [38:22]: "I never felt tenuous or unsafe when I was walking through it. It really felt like the representation of the world that I was seeing through the pass-through was the representation that I would see."
Key Features of Android XR:
- Gemini AI Integration: Android XR is built around Google's Gemini AI, enhancing spatial computing by providing contextual and actionable insights based on the user's environment.
- High Visual Fidelity: Using Raxiom's microLED displays, Android XR delivers sharp, high-resolution visuals without the notorious "screen door effect," ensuring an immersive experience.
- Multimodal Controls: Features like eye tracking and hand gestures allow for seamless interaction. For instance, Howell demonstrated how eye tracking can highlight actionable items, which can be selected with simple hand gestures.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Android XR adapts its user interface and processing workloads across various devices, from VR headsets like Samsung's Project Muhan to everyday wearable glasses like Project Astra.
Jason Howell [42:58]:
"Google's spatialization of flat 2D footage was really impressive... it was really impressive."
The integration with existing Android infrastructure ensures that developers can scale applications across different hardware with minimal additional coding, promoting wider adoption and innovation in the XR space.
Apple Intelligence: Genmoji and Image Playground
Timestamp: 47:45 - 49:05
Wrapping up the episode, Micah Sargent explores Apple Intelligence's newly released features: Genmoji and Image Playground. These tools enhance user interaction with AI by allowing personalized emoji creation and advanced image generation directly within iMessage and other Apple applications.
Notable Quotes:
- Micah Sargent [48:22]: "These are all on my device locally, so I can choose that one and then it saves these Genmoji after the fact."
- Micah Sargent [49:00]: "With that, we have reached the end of this episode of Tech News Weekly."
Genmoji:
Users can create custom emojis by describing desired characteristics or using existing images. For example, typing "rabbit waving" prompts Apple’s AI to generate unique emoji options that blend seamlessly with existing Apple emoji styles.
Image Playground:
This tool allows for sophisticated image generation based on user prompts or existing photos. Features include theme selection, accessory addition, and AI-driven enhancements that respect user privacy by performing all processing locally on the device.
Future Enhancements:
Apple plans to integrate Visual Intelligence and enhanced Siri functionalities, enabling more interactive and context-aware AI assistance. These updates will expand the capabilities of spatial interaction and automation within the Apple ecosystem.
Conclusion
Episode 365 of Tech News Weekly delivers comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of AI, content creation, and spatial computing. From the legal battles shaping the future of open-source platforms like WordPress to Google's ambitious foray into spatial computing with Android XR, the episode highlights the dynamic intersections of technology, law, and user experience. Additionally, Apple's advancements in AI-driven tools demonstrate the ongoing commitment to enhancing everyday interactions through intelligent features.
Stay Tuned for More: Don't miss future episodes of Tech News Weekly for the latest in technology trends, expert interviews, and in-depth analyses of the issues shaping our digital world.