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April 13, 2024
Issue No. 99
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
Google Revealed Several AI Tools and Upgrades During their Cloud Next 2024 Event
Google introduced several new tools leveraging AI during their Cloud Next 2024 event, including:
- Google Vids is a new AI-powered video creation tool that assist throughout the content-creation process.
- Gemini Code Assist is an AI code completion and assistance tool for developers competing with Copilot.
- New Workspace features include voice prompts to initiate the "Help me write" feature in Gmail and automatically polishing draft emails. Sheets gained customizable alerts and document templates. Also new additions for AI-powered meetings, messaging, and an AI security package.
- Imagen 2 was released on Vertex AI, an enhanced image generator focusing on enterprise uses like inpainting and outpainting. A text-to-video capability was also introduced.
- Chrome Enterprise Premium focuses on security capabilities for the browser as work increasingly happens in it.
- Gemini 1.5 Pro can listen to uploaded audio files and churn out information without the need to refer to a written transcript.
Humane’s $699 Ai Pin is Now Available
Hardware startup Humane announced the availability of its $699 Ai Pin. Founded in 2017 by former Apple employees Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, Humane aims to build standalone AI devices and has raised $230 million in funding. The Ai Pin harnesses multiple generative AI platforms like OpenAI and Google to power its capabilities.
In interviews, the co-founders discussed an experience that set them on the path to creating Humane. They observed a family completely engrossed in their phones at a dinner, sparking conversations about harnessing AI's benefits while addressing screen addiction side effects. While the first-generation Ai Pin has limitations typical of new products, its design quality reflects its founders' backgrounds in consumer electronics.
The field of devices utilizing generative AI is growing rapidly. At CES, Rabbit garnered attention with its AI-powered R1 handheld. Brain.AI also showed a concept handset where generative AI forms the core operating system.
Humane's $699 price for the Ai Pin includes the device, extra battery, charging case and different color options starting at $799 plus accessories priced from $29-49. Users also require a $24/month subscription.
Spotify Introduces ‘AI Playlist Builder’
Spotify has introduced a new AI Playlist beta feature that allows users to generate personalized playlists based on written prompts. The feature is currently available for Spotify Premium subscribers on mobile devices using Android and iOS in the UK and Australia. Users can access AI Playlists by selecting the option from the "+" menu in their library section. By typing prompts, the AI matches songs to the description provided.
In initial testing, the AI demonstrated an impressive ability to generate fitting playlists for niche prompts. For example, when prompted to "make me feel like a vampire hunter from Blade," the AI created a playlist titled "Blade's Essence" filled with appropriate techno music without need for additional input. Spotify notes users may receive better results using prompts mentioning genres, moods, artists or decades. Prompts can also reference places, animals, activities, movie characters, and more.
There are some parameters to the AI Playlist feature. It will not generate playlists in response to non-music or offensive prompts. Additionally, measures are in place to prevent offensive results. The feature offers refinement options like adding prompts or removing songs disliked. Saved playlists can then be accessible in a user's library.
While still in beta, AI Playlists appear more useful than Spotify's prior DJ feature by allowing more customization over the final playlist. However, the new feature may contribute to predicted increases in subscription prices later this year.
In Other AI News…
Gaming
Ubisoft Releases Star Wars Outlaws’ Official Story Trailer
Ubisoft released a new story trailer for its upcoming game Star Wars Outlaws. Through this, the company revealed an August 30th release date for the title on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC platforms.
Star Wars Outlaws is being developed by Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment, the studio known for previous works like Tom Clancy's The Division series and last year's Avatar game Frontiers of Pandora. Unlike EA's Star Wars Jedi series focused on lightsaber combat, Outlaws centers around scoundrel Kay Vess.
The trailer provided a glimpse at the game's plot point between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It showed Vess assembling her own crew as she seeks freedom somewhere in the Star Wars galaxy. Fans also spotted a cameo from the familiar character Jabba the Hutt.
Rather than continuing the Jedi theme of recent Star Wars games, Outlaws presents a different criminal perspective set in the iconic original trilogy time period through the eyes of smuggler protagonist Kay Vess. Ubisoft aims to deliver this untold story when the game launches on August 30th across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Microsoft Renews Blizzard and NetEase Partnership
Blizzard and Chinese publisher NetEase have renewed their partnership following a high-profile split in 2022. Microsoft, which owns Blizzard, played a key role in brokering new agreements between the companies. This will allow popular Blizzard titles like World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Diablo and StarCraft to return to mainland China starting this summer. Under the new deals, NetEase will once again provide publishing support for Blizzard games in the region.
The prior breakup stemmed from Blizzard being unable to renew terms that aligned with its standards and commitments. However, NetEase claimed the split would not significantly impact its finances. In the interim, Blizzard explored options with other potential Chinese partners. Both Microsoft and NetEase also committed to broader collaboration together across platforms and markets moving forward.
Top executives from Blizzard and NetEase expressed gratitude and commitment towards one another and rebuilding trust in their statements. They emphasized focus on entertaining the dedicated Chinese player base rather than previous business differences. The renewed partnership signifies both parties' desire to reset their relationship and cooperatively deliver experiences for the passionate Chinese gaming community.
Avatar’s The Last Airbender Crew Joins Fortnite in Avatar: Elements
Fortnite announced a new crossover event with the popular Avatar: The Last Airbender television series. Through the Avatar: Elements event beginning on April 12th, players gain access to skins featuring main characters from the show. Immediately available for purchase are Katara, Zuko, and Toph. The promoted skins allow players to take on the roles of these beloved Airbender characters.
Aang, the primary protagonist, will also appear as part of the event pass. Players can unlock an Aang skin as well as a separate variation depicting his Avatar State form. While not fully shown in promotional materials, Aang and Toph have been adjusted slightly taller likely to accommodate Fortnite's gameplay and character hitboxes.
This continues Fortnite's tradition of licensing popular franchises for in-game cosmetic representations. Previously, Legend of Korra's Korra was added this current season. By integrating these new Airbender skins, Fortnite expands its crossover appeal and offers fans new options to engage with their favorite fictional worlds directly within the hit battle royale title.
In Other Gaming News…
Web3, Metaverse, and NFTs
EigenLayer Announces Mainnet Launch
Crypto technology company EigenLayer announced the mainnet launch of its EigenLayer protocol and the EigenDA data availability service. Over 4.1 million ETH are currently restaked on EigenLayer by thousands of validators. The new functionality allows restakers to delegate their entire stake to an operator, and operators to register and run actively validated services (AVS) like EigenDA. EigenDA aims to solve data availability and scalability issues for rollups.
EigenLayer will start with the top 200 operators running AVS software based on total staked delegation. In the coming weeks, operator and delegation volumes are expected to fluctuate as the ecosystem develops. Restakers can redelegate if desired, facing a seven day wait period. The protocol does not currently implement in-protocol payments or slashing penalties. Additional AVS will launch on EigenLayer over time to provide middleware, services, and infrastructure.
EigenDA specifically targets enabling massive transaction throughput for rollups through high scalability and flexible cost models. It integrates readily with rollup frameworks and offers quorum verification using native tokens. Future applications could utilize onchain orderbooks, real-time gaming, social transactions, and more. Major rollups are already beginning to deploy on EigenDA for its performance.
EigenLayer views itself as empowering open innovation on Ethereum through coordination engines with no defined end state. Continued development will improve functionality while more AVS and announcements are forthcoming. The launch represents significant progress but only the beginning of the EigenLayer vision.
Uniswap Gets Hit with SEC Wells Notice
Uniswap Labs, the company behind the leading decentralized exchange (DEX) Uniswap on Ethereum, announced it received a Wells notice from the SEC indicating upcoming enforcement action. In a Wells notice, the SEC warns a firm it intends to take legal action. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams expressed annoyance with the situation but confidence that Uniswap's products comply with the law. The SEC has been investigating Uniswap for years over how the peer-to-peer exchange works and has been marketed.
This SEC action against Uniswap comes amid increased crypto scrutiny from the regulator, as the SEC has recently taken legal action against other major platforms like Coinbase, Ripple and Binance. Uniswap's Chief Legal Officer described the Wells notice as an abuse of power from the SEC and asserted Uniswap's services are legal. However, he said arbitrary enforcement has replaced clear rules from the SEC. While welcoming sensible regulations, Uniswap Labs plans to fight any SEC lawsuit, believing it will ultimately prevail.
Word of the Uniswap enforcement warning follows disclosure that the Ethereum Foundation received an inquiry from a state authority, reportedly several crypto firms facing SEC subpoenas related to their Ethereum Foundation dealings. Uniswap founder Adams further criticized the SEC for taking action against long-standing actors while ignoring issues at companies like FTX.
Sui Unveils ‘SuiPlay0X1’ Gaming Handheld Device
Gaming startup Playtron and blockchain firm Mysten Labs revealed plans to launch the SuiPlay0x1, a portable gaming device that aims to compete with the Steam Deck and bring crypto games mainstream. Running Playtron's open-source OS, it can play games on Sui and other blockchains as well as Steam and Epic titles. The companies promise deep Sui integration where users can access wallet assets from any device. Though details are sparse, it is slated for 2025.
Playtron CEO Kirt McMaster criticized Steam's monopoly over the PC gaming market, as it bans blockchain games. Crypto titles are relegated to niche storefronts as a result. The Playtron launcher aims to accommodate such games to tap a wider audience. While Sui integration is core, the OS remains agnostic to play games on other networks as well. Owners may receive token and asset incentives from developers to try new games.
Like Solana's Saga smartphone before it, the SuiPlay0x1 owners could receive exclusive rewards to grow the gaming ecosystem. Mysten confirms plans to "subsidize" the device cost through incentives, though pricing details are undisclosed. If successful in luring new users, it could help overcome gamer skepticism of crypto. The companies see opportunities for airdrops and loyalty programs rewarding long-term engagement.
In Other Web3 & Metaverse News…
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