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September 14, 2024
Issue No. 120
CURATOR:
Welcome to this week's AtherXplorer, covering the latest in gaming, blockchain, and everything in between.
This week’s top picks include:
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI Releases o1, its First Model with ‘Reasoning’ Abilities
OpenAI has released a new model called o1, the first in a series of "reasoning" models that can handle more complex queries and problems. The model is trained using a new optimization algorithm and a new training dataset, and it uses a technique called reinforcement learning to solve problems. This approach allows the model to think step-by-step and provide explanations for its reasoning, similar to how humans process issues.
The o1 model is more accurate and capable of tackling complex problems, such as coding and math than its predecessors. It has been tested on various tasks, including the AP math test and the International Mathematics Olympiad, and has shown impressive results. However, it is not as capable as GPT-4o in areas such as factual knowledge about the world, and it cannot browse the web or process files and images.
The o1 model is available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, and it will be available to Enterprise and Edu users early next week. Developer access to the model is expensive, with a cost of $15 per 1 million input tokens and $60 per 1 million output tokens. OpenAI believes that the o1 model represents a new class of capabilities and is a step towards human-like artificial intelligence.
The company is also working on a smaller, cheaper version of the model called o1-mini, which will be available to all free users of ChatGPT in the future. The o1 model is designed to show its reasoning steps and provide explanations for its answers, creating a step-by-step illusion of thinking. However, the model is not thinking in the same way that humans do, and OpenAI is careful to distinguish between AI model thinking and human thinking.
Apple Reveals More Info on ‘Apple Intelligence’
Apple has announced that Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context, will start rolling out next month with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. The system is designed to deliver intelligence that is incredibly useful and relevant and will be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
The first set of Apple Intelligence features will include Writing Tools, which will allow users to refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write. The system will also include a Clean Up tool in Photos, which can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo. Additionally, users will be able to record, transcribe, and summarize audio in the Notes and Phone apps.
Siri will also be updated with Apple Intelligence, becoming more natural, flexible, and deeply integrated into the system experience. Users will be able to type to Siri at any time and switch fluidly between text and voice as they use Siri to accelerate everyday tasks. Siri will also have richer language-understanding capabilities and will be able to answer thousands of questions about the features and settings of Apple devices.
Apple Intelligence is designed to protect users' privacy at every step, with on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute extending the privacy and security of Apple devices into the cloud. The system will be available as a free software update and will roll out in beta next month with more features coming in the months to come.
Adobe Previews Firefly Video AI Model
Adobe has announced the Adobe Firefly Video Model, a new AI-powered video generation tool that is built on top of its existing Firefly generative AI still image models. The model is designed to generate high-quality videos from text prompts, and it supports text-to-video, image-to-video, and video editing features. The model is currently in beta and will be available later this year, with early access available through a waitlist.
The Firefly Video Model has been trained on a dataset of images and videos that Adobe owns or has the license to use, and the company claims that it is ethically trained and commercially safe. However, some Adobe Stock creators have disputed this, arguing that they did not agree to their works being used to train generative AI models.
The model has been demonstrated to generate impressive high-quality videos, with examples showing its ability to create cinematic close-ups, slow-motion footage, and other visually stunning effects. The model is limited to generating videos of up to 5 seconds, but it is expected to be useful for a range of applications, including internal videos for employees and training, external videos for customers and marketing efforts, and even full advertisements.
Adobe's Firefly Video Model is also designed to be used in conjunction with its Creative Cloud software suite, and it is expected to be integrated into popular applications such as Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator. The model is seen as a key part of Adobe's push to integrate AI into creative workflows, and it is expected to give creators more time to explore new ideas, enhance their projects, and ultimately deliver better results for their clients.
In Other AI News…
Gaming
Sony Unveils PlayStation 5 Pro, Launch Date, and Price
The PlayStation 5 Pro is the latest addition to the PlayStation family, offering a more advanced and innovative console experience. Developed with deeply engaged players and game creators in mind, the PS5 Pro features several key performance upgrades, including a GPU with 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5 console, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling.
The PS5 Pro also includes several other enhancements, such as PS5 Pro Game Boost, which can apply to over 8,500 backward compatible PS4 games, and Enhanced Image Quality for PS4 games. The console will also launch with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, and support VRR and 8K gaming.
Several games will be patched with free software updates to take advantage of the PS5 Pro's features, including blockbuster hits from PlayStation Studios and third-party partners. The PS5 Pro will be available this holiday at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $699.99 and will include a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro's Playroom pre-installed.
The PS5 Pro will be available on November 7, 2024, and preorders will begin on September 26, 2024. The console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation at direct.playstation.com. The PS5 Pro is designed to fit perfectly within the PS5 family of products and is compatible with the PS5 accessories currently available.
Unity Cancels its Controversial Runtime Fee
Unity has canceled its controversial Runtime Fee, which was announced last year and sparked widespread industry backlash. The fee would have charged developers for installs and impacted existing and future customers with a license. Instead, Unity will revert to its existing seat-based subscription model for all game customers, including those who adopt Unity 6.
The cancellation of the Runtime Fee will not affect non-gaming industry customers but will impact game companies. Unity Pro users will see their subscription price increase by 8% to $2,200 annually per seat, while Unity Enterprise customers will see a 25% increase in the subscription price. These changes will be effective January 1st, 2025.
Unity CEO Matt Bromberg stated that the decision to cancel the Runtime Fee came after "deep consultation" with the community, customers, and partners. He emphasized that Unity's core mission is to democratize game development and that the company cannot pursue this mission in conflict with its customers. Bromberg also acknowledged that price increases are necessary to enable Unity to invest in moving gaming forward, but stated that these increases should be delivered fairly and transparently.
The cancellation of the Runtime Fee is seen as a positive move by Unity, as it addresses the concerns of its customers and partners. The company's decision to revert to its existing subscription model and increase prices more traditionally is expected to be more palatable to its customers.
Microsoft Laying off 650 from Xbox Gaming Unit
Microsoft has confirmed that it is laying off 650 workers, or around 3% of its global workforce, in its video game division. The cuts will largely impact staff providing "corporate and supporting functions," according to a statement from the company. This is the second round of layoffs in the gaming division this year, following a January layoff of 1,900 workers.
The layoffs are a result of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and are intended to align the company's post-acquisition team structure and manage its business for long-term success. Xbox boss Phil Spencer stated that the redundancies will enable the company to prioritize "sustainable future growth" and better support its studio teams and business units.
Some of the affected teams include the Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile team, which has been downsized through layoffs and internal staff movements, and the Warcraft Rumble team, which has also seen layoffs. Microsoft has stated that no games, devices, or experiences are being canceled, and no studios are being closed as part of these adjustments.
The company is providing support to affected employees, including severance packages, extended healthcare, and outplacement services to help with their transition. This is the latest in a series of layoffs at Microsoft, which has shed thousands of jobs this year, including the closure of key ZeniMax studios Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, and Tango Gameworks.
In Other Gaming News…
Web3, Metaverse, and NFTs
CCP Games Unveils ‘Eve Frontier’ Survival Game on L2 Redstone
CCP Games, the creator of Eve Online, has rebranded its upcoming blockchain game, Project Awakening, as Eve Frontier. The game is an on-chain space simulation game that allows players to mold and expand the game world as they see fit, and requires collaboration to survive. Eve Frontier is being built on the Ethereum ecosystem, specifically on the Redstone layer-2 network, which is built on Optimism tech.
The game will feature multiple crypto tokens, including an EVE Token and a LUX Token, which will be used for in-game transactions and as a utility token that can be exchanged for external value. Players and alliances will also be able to create their currencies, with tokens used to reward and support developers who contribute to the game world.
The game allows players and developers to use the Ethereum language Solidity to program in-game functionality via smart contracts and link in decentralized apps (dapps). This model, called "Smart Assemblies," allows players to construct infrastructure and deploy it in the game world, with the ability to program and customize each structure.
The game's next closed beta playtest is scheduled for September 27, and "founder access" is coming soon on PC and Mac.
Friend.Tech Team Faces Rug Pull Allegations Following Announcement on Locking Their Smart Contracts
Web3 social media platform Friend.tech is facing allegations of a rug pull after its team permanently relinquished control over the project's smart contracts. The team announced on September 8 that it had set the admin and ownership parameters to Ethereum's null address, preventing any future changes to its fees or functions. This move led to a 26% drop in the value of Friend.tech's FRIEND token within 24 hours.
The allegations of a rug pull come after it was revealed that the Friend.tech team had sold 19,477 Ether, worth around $52 million, between December 2023 and June 2024. The team's actions have led to accusations that the project was a Ponzi scheme, with creators promising unrealistic rewards to key holders. The project's token price has also dropped by 95% since its launch.
The Friend.tech team has responded to community concerns, stating that it has no plans to discontinue the website application and that the recent changes only guarantee that no new fees will be deployed on the layer-2 platform Base. The team claims that the app's functionality remains the same, but the community remains skeptical. The allegations of a rug pull have led to concerns that Friend.tech tokens and keys are now worthless.
“Steal of the Century” as Punk 2386 Sells for 10ETH
Punk 2386 NFT was sold for a significantly lower price than its current market value due to a user taking advantage of smart contract functionalities.
The story behind it starts when the NFT was fractionalized into 10,000 ERC20 tokens on a now-de-comissioned platform called ‘Niftex’. The NFT shares were held by 257 shareholders, who had the option to propose a "shotgun" buyout. This mechanism allowed any shareholder to propose a buyout price and purchase the asset if none of the shareholders counter within 14 days.
Although the platform was shut down, the smart contracts live on the platform forever, and one shareholder took advantage of this. On August 28, shareholder 0x282 proposed a buyout price of 0.001 ETH per share.
Another shareholder, @gmoneyNFT, attempted to block the buyout by submitting a counterclaim but was short of the requirement. As a result, the shotgun was not blocked, and 0x282 was able to purchase the NFT for 10 ETH after the 14-day wait.
The sale has been hailed as the "steal of the century," with 0x282 purchasing the NFT for 70% under the global punk floor. The NFT, one of only 24 ape punks, had a current high bid of 600 ETH but was sold for just 10 ETH.
In Other Web3 & Metaverse News…
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