AR FTW, Rocking on the Road, and Roundup #27
While AR gears up for its “aha moment," we reincarnate dead arachnids, lean on anthroposomatic supports in a subway, join a sumo club, shift into monk mode, and put our robot dogs in foster care.
This issue takes a slight twist.
In comes a prediction for 2024, and out goes recommendations right from my travel bag.
In between, the roundup is filled with a plethora of varied intrigue.
There’s a lot to this one. Let’s dig in.
One Big Thing
The 2024 Hype Cycle Prediction → AR > AI
While artificial intelligence (AI) is today’s life-altering, future-changing darling, augmented reality (AR) is primed to dominate the zeitgeist in 2024.
The tech giants made significant announcements over the past two weeks, and the hype cycle gained new momentum.
At their recent events, Microsoft and Google showed how they are bringing generative AI-based superpowers to docs, email, calendars, and more. Microsoft showed how Copilot will be our everyday companion. Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, can now answer questions based on the information it finds in your inbox and drive.
Meanwhile, the co-founder of DeepMind got everyone talking about “Interactive AI” and how it is the next phase of AI. Interactive AI is an artificial intelligence that can naturally interact with humans through text, voice, or physical interaction. And, of course, OpenAI made news with reports that they are bringing in legendary former Apple super designer Jony Ive to build the “iPhone of artificial intelligence.”
Yet, the recent headset news has me believing that augmented reality (or, as Apple is pushing it, “spatial computing”) will take the hype wave crown in 2024.
Also, Amazon and Meta got into the AR fray at their events over the past two weeks. Amazon’s third-gen Echo Frames are slimmer, lighter, and now, earbuds-less. Meta mixed up realities with breakthrough tech in their new Quest 3 headset. And the pump keeps getting primed for what Tim Cook calls the “aha moment” that Apple Vision Pro will deliver.
Together, AI and AR are the pairing of our collective futures, and in 2024, AR will be the marketing and media darling. Get ready to gear up.
The Roundup
Seen and Unseen
SynthID, another attempt at AI watermarking, this one from Google
Outline VPN, circumventing authoritarian internet censorship with built-in app tools provided by Google
ICE-Cube Thrusters, moving satellites using water as propellant while being only the length of a fingernail
Looking Up
SpaceBorn, studying conception and early embryo development beyond our atmosphere
Sky Grief, aka noctalgia, is the term for not being able to see stars at night due to light pollution
Inverse Vaccines, revolutionizing the treatment of autoimmune diseases by dampening immune responses
Nature, Unnaturally
Necrobotics, reincarnating dead spiders as robot grippers
Crop Biostimulants, turning highway rest stop urine into a resource for agricultural purposes
Glow-in-the-Dark Houseplants, shipping next spring (first rounded up in Issue 9 when the science was just coming out of MIT labs)
Moving Up
Branded Residences, offering loyal customers a “lifestyle experience”
Sumo Clubs, wrestling is growing in America
StandByME Go, putting a rotating TV in a suitcase
Resting Up
Burnout Breaks, a rising travel trend that is more than just a new alliteration for “vacation”
Monk Mode, a productivity approach that channels the lifestyle of, well, monks
Ergonomic Street Furniture, or “lumbo-dorsal support elements,” that provide “anthroposomatic support” (hint: they are comfortable to lean on)
Robot Dog Foster Care, rehoming Sony Aibos to provide emotional support for people in medical and nursing facilities
Frequently Asked About
The gear to rock while on the road.
For my work, I travel a lot. With my personality, I’m obsessive about researching products that make travel much easier and more enjoyable. There is a short list of things I'm proud to carry—and an even shorter list of things I get asked about all the time. Like, seriously, all. the. time.
So, I added a section to my site that pulls together the four things I recommend the most.
There is the travel charger that is beautifully designed and incredible at regulating the shady power on airplanes and managing the different voltages in different countries. There is a cable winder that is simple to use and keeps a backpack of cables organized and tangle-free. The quest for tangle-free wires extends to a wired earphone case with a satisfying magnetic feature. And, in my pocket is a super slim, soft, RFID-protected wallet with an original quick pull tab that makes it easy to access your passport, and it slides back into your pocket easily when you're done.
From elegant design to enviable functionality, these are the products I recommend the most to co-workers, clients, and friends. Check them out here.
Returning to a Revision
Right here is the spot in The New New, where a throwback issue is put back in the spotlight—and the next issue up is number 19. This issue was special (to me) as it was the first time I revised the format and began including my own takes and perspectives.
In Issue 19, three big topics were covered:
DNA Phenotyping and Genetic Witnesses
Police have created their first-ever suspect wanted poster that was a generated 3D image of someone they have never seen. The source for the image? DNA.DAO Liabilities
The future of crypto is an existential crisis around what may be the worst of all worlds.Infinity Articles
How close are we to having a personal AI that can write the perfect thing just for us?
Of course, a complete roundup of intrigue covered science, space, and health. Have you helped NASA get ready for moon fights? I still need to try a group Crocodile Crawl.
Jump back to Issue 19 to make sense of it all.
The New New brings together the important and the irreverent across emerging experiences, culture-driven experiments, and scoops of perception.
Each month(ish), this is pulled together by me, Brent Turner, and published on LinkedIn, Substack, and my site.
Okay, off to make room in my travel bags for new augmented reality headsets.
- B
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