The Creative Technologist Roundup x 9.0
Tech updates from Google, Meta, SpaceX and more!
🚀 This week's Creative Tech Bytes is jam-packed with more AI advancements than a robot uprising at a microchip factory! 🤖🤯 We've got Google turning everyday documents into podcasts 🎙️, Adobe dropping a bombshell of AI tools for creatives 🎨, and Meta going full open-source on its AI hardware like it's sharing the secret recipe for world domination! 🤯🌐 Plus, we'll dive into GPJ x Nissan's mind-bending Vision Pro experience that'll make you question reality (and maybe want to buy a new car). 🚗✨ So grab your neural network-powered coffee maker and let's jump in! ☕️🧠
x GPJ Creative Technology x
Activations
KICKS VISION EXPERIENCE (APPLE VISION PRO)
George P. Johnson Experience Marketing partnered with Nissan to develop a cutting-edge, immersive experience showcasing the 2025 Nissan Kicks, highlighting its design influences. This was achieved by leveraging Apple Vision Pro (AVP) headsets, the latest in spatial computing technology, to create a personalized and interactive journey for each guest.
The experience took place in a hi-fi lounge setting, designed to be both comfortable and engaging. Guests, guided by dedicated docents, used the AVP headsets to explore a virtual recreation of the space, enriched with interactive elements. By focusing on specific objects marked with floating hotspots, users could delve deeper into the inspiration behind the Kicks' design. This exploration was further enhanced by AI-generated voiceovers providing detailed narration and insights.
From a technological standpoint, the experience showcased the potential of AVP headsets for interactive storytelling and personalized exploration. The use of spatial computing allowed guests to engage with the virtual environment in a natural and intuitive way, while AI-generated narration provided a dynamic and informative layer to the experience. Additionally, the integration of a live stream of the user's perspective on a separate monitor allowed for both docent assistance and a shared experience for other guests in the lounge.
Bytes
#TechNews
#AI
Google’s NotebookLM Now Lets You Customize Its AI Podcasts
Google's NotebookLM, initially launched as an AI writing tool, has introduced a new feature that allows users to customize AI-generated podcasts based on uploaded documents. Users can now prompt the AI to focus on specific themes, sections, or target audiences, giving them more control over the output. A test using Kafka’s The Metamorphosis revealed that while the tool effectively highlighted broader themes like alienation, some customizations, such as focusing on specific pages, produced less impactful results. Nevertheless, the ability to tailor content for diverse audiences showcased the software's potential for creative and personalized audio experiences.
#Design
Adobe Max 2024: all the major announcements around design and AI
Adobe's MAX 2024 conference unveiled a host of new AI-powered tools and updates for its Creative Cloud suite. Notably, Adobe announced its first generative AI video model in Premiere Pro, aimed at streamlining video editing tasks. Other key developments include AI enhancements across Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and a major update to the Frame.io collaboration platform. Adobe also emphasized a shift from AI simply generating content from prompts to offering more specialized tools that give creators greater control and efficiency.
#Sports
Mets vs. Dodgers: How Fox Sports is utilizing 41 cameras for NLCS broadcasts
Fox Sports is enhancing its NLCS and World Series coverage with an array of specialty cameras, totaling 41 for the NLCS. These include a Movi camera for player closeups, UmpCam for unique perspectives, FlyCam for dynamic field-level shots, and live drones for aerial footage. While not entirely new, these technologies have been upgraded with better sensors, lenses, and transmission capabilities. Fox Sports emphasizes a collaborative approach to innovation, sharing advancements across different sports and leagues, and prioritizing sustainable practices for repeatable and efficient production.
#Sustainability
Google to buy nuclear power for AI datacentres in ‘world first’ deal
In a groundbreaking move, Google has agreed to purchase 500 megawatts of electricity from Kairos Power's small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to power its AI data centers. This deal, the first of its kind, aims to provide a low-carbon energy solution for the increasing power demands of AI technologies. While SMRs offer potential advantages in terms of cost and scalability compared to traditional nuclear plants, they remain a subject of debate regarding their economic viability and environmental impact.
#OpenSource
Meta’s open AI hardware vision
At the 2024 Open Compute Project (OCP) Global Summit, Meta unveiled new open AI hardware designs, including the Catalina rack system and the expansion of the Grand Teton platform to support AMD accelerators. These innovations aim to enhance AI infrastructure by focusing on scalability, flexibility, and performance. Meta also highlighted its rapid scaling of AI clusters to accommodate advanced models like Llama 3.1 405B, requiring significant GPU and network optimizations. By promoting open hardware and disaggregated network fabrics, Meta hopes to drive collaboration and innovation in the AI community while advancing its AI capabilities.
#Space
SpaceX’s Starship test ends with a remarkable ‘chopstick’ booster catch
SpaceX achieved a significant milestone with its Starship spacecraft, successfully catching the Super Heavy booster with its launch tower arms, nicknamed "chopsticks," after a launch from South Texas. This marks the first time SpaceX has accomplished this feat, advancing their goal of full reusability for the Super Heavy booster. The Starship spacecraft itself splashed down in the Indian Ocean after a successful flight and re-entry, featuring a redesigned heat shield. This test flight, approved by the FAA, represents a crucial step forward in SpaceX's Starship program.
Bits
#CoolStuff
- Casio thinks an AI-powered furball can replace your pet
- Everything we launched at Webflow Conf 2024
- There was a profound belief in the power of the polymath during the mid-century period
- Sustainable building effort reaches new heights with wooden skyscrapers
- The Future of Voice User Interfaces and UX Design
- Instagram’s latest feature is a digital business card for your profile