Tag Archive for: How To Kill An Hour

google console

A new gamer in town? The Google Console?

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So, the Google console. Sounds incredible. In theory.  As, according to a report from The Information, word on the street is that Google want to get in to the gaming industry. Yet, not in a way you would think either.

The giant tech company are looking at investing in a streaming service like Nvidia’s GeForce Now. (A service where your computer is merely a monitor and a keyboard. All the processing power is done remotely. All you need is a good internet connection) It’s codenamed “Yeti” and apparently Google have been hard at work on it for two years. There’s even hardware to go alongside the software allegedly. Most notably the product could tie in to Google’s Chromecast and nabbing Phili Harrison (ex-Microsoft/Sony Gaming division)  last month as a VP of hardware. Therefore could point in the direction of a hardware based product too.

So, there is no official word of it just yet and it’s all rumour at the moment. While cool and fun, it would be interesting to see if Google did go down the streaming route. But is gaming heading in this direction? All major gaming companies are sticking with regular old physical copies. Even downloadable copies are stored locally. However this begs the question. Is streaming even any good yet?

Google Console: Streaming Problems

Which brings us on to the internet. Lag. Lag is a killer. For most gamers, Lag is what infuriates them the most. So much so that it could be Google console’s biggest hurdle. Lag from what your seeing on screen. Lag from pressing a button to that relaying to the server and back to you again. Just regular old lag. Consequently those milliseconds could be the difference between life and death. Quite literally for the lifespan of this potential product. However, if Google can get it to almost instant (it will never be instant, just so small, we won’t even recognise it) then Google console may just be a hit. But this depends on the majority of gamer’s internet connections of course.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

AI

AI could have common sense? We’re Doomed.

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Ready to be scared by AI? Well you may just be about to be scared silly.

Virtual assistants and chatbots aren’t the most intelligent beings around at the moment. That’s because they lack the common sense that us humans have. Most of us anyway. These types of machine learning programmes rely on specific situations that they’ve encountered previously. Thus they react accordingly to the data you input.

However, this may be about to change. Researchers at the Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) have come up with a brand new test. This test is called Arc Reasoning Challenge (ARC). This test will determine whether artificial intelligence has the ability to ‘learn’ common sense. By testing it’s understanding of the way that our world operates.

The easiest way to explain why machines don’t have common sense is as follows. Human’s see a problem or are faced with a problem. Humans then use common sense to fill in the gaps of any problems that they are faced and then act on that problem accordingly. Machines only act on the data that’s put in to them. They can’t see a problem, pull information from their memory and then solve it. They have to be told ‘this is the way to solve this problem’ ‘solve it’ (execute programme)

AI Test

The researchers will throw basic multiple choice questions at the machines. These questions will put their general knowledge to the test. One of the questions is “Which item below is not made from a material grown in nature?” The answers are ‘cotton shirt, wooden chair, plastic spoon, grass basket’ If researchers from the Allen Institute can make the machine pull information from previously learned data. This will prove that the system can grasp common sense. Which no other AI technology can do.

So, what does this say about the future of AI if it can learn? What will it be taught is right and wrong? Will we see a Terminator?

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

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social ranking

Social ranking: Black Mirror predicting the future again!

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Black Mirror continues it’s eery trend of predicting the future. This time with the terrifying episode of ‘Nosedive’ With Social ranking.

For those who haven’t seen Black Mirror or Nosedive, the episode explores how we’re all obsessed with ‘likes’ The episode delves into the way that we use social media in our daily lives and how what we do is determined by how many ‘likes’ we get. Including how upset we get when our online popularity takes a ‘nosedive’

The episode’s plot revolves around how people are rated out of five after every interaction that they have with one another. Thus each person has a real social ranking, that we can all see. Furthermore, ratings of a ‘person’ are affected by where you live, who your friends are and how you travel. So kinda like we all do now, but with a tangible element to it. Whether you like it or not, do it consciously or not, we all make prejudgements based on the above.

In the episode we see Lacie a young woman who is looking to climb to the top of her social ladder. We won’t spoil the episode too much. However, she does a lot to impress others and make her rating better. Until, you guessed it, things go from bad to worse and her social ranking takes a ‘nosedive’ If you have instagram mixed with an Uber rating, this is how your ratings are shown to others in this world.

Social Ranking: Real Life

This nightmare of all prejudging others may become a reality in China. Soon. 2020. Soon.

According to the Telegraph, it’s citizens will be given a ‘score’ the lowest of these scores being 350, highest being 950. To get a higher score, citizens can give blood, do charity work or by sending positive messages about China on social media. Cancelling a reservation for something having friends with unsavory people. Boom. Ratings nosedive.

Being a good member of society gets you bonuses! Cheaper public transport, free gym membership. Plus you may even get a fast pass for waiting times in hospitals. (My words not theirs, I just thought it sounded funny, really call it fast pass) All you lowly people at the bottom of the totem pole. SLOWER INTERNET SPEEDS! So if one day you realise your internet is super slow. Blame you. Not the ISP. Go out an give blood and maybe, just maybe, your internet will get faster.

 

 

 

 

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Episode 272 Supercharged Jet Sub!

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uk spaceship station

UK Spaceship station

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The UK spaceship station, soon may become a reality. May’s government has a goal to become the first spaceport in Europe.

Recently it took a very small step to from a dream to a reality. A bill that was introduced a year ago called ‘Draft Spaceflight Bill’ has rebranded ‘Space Industry Bill is going to receive royal assent into UK law. All this bill does is cover things like insurance and safety commitments. Booo! Health and safety! Basically all this bill does is lay the groundwork so the real work and business can begin. Boring bills but they’re necessary. Though there’s no end date before we can shoot ourselves into outer space, 2020 is said to be the time to suit up.

The government are stating that 1/4 of all telecoms satellites are built (we’re going to need to talk to you up there) in the UK. The government are hoping that the UK will become a “one-stop shop” for the private space travel industry. While this sounds super cool and nothing that us normal folk will ever be able to experience. The introduction of Spaceports or UK spaceship station as we like to call them. Will help grant opportunities to researchers and public sectors to use the satellite data. Along with machine learning tech to support roll outs of charging points for electronic cars.

There are quite a few potential UK Spaceship stations under consideration, if it does go ahead, the UK will be the first in Europe. The European Space agency does have it’s own spaceship station. However, it’s cheating because it’s in the South American country of French Guiana.

The UK’s space dreams don’t end with just UK Spaceship stations. The Uk are also set to become the worlds first commercial astronaut training ground. With construction set to start this year.

UK spaceship station: Problems

Everything isn’t all roses and galaxies though. The Space Industry Bill has a €60million liability cap. Shoot a satellite up in the sky. It all goes tits up and crashes back down to earth. The government are only going to give you 60M to clean up your mess.

The government are hoping that this will help the UK space industry grow. But. Not so fast. Signs that it’s infact shrinking. British companies are reportedly being excluded from work within the European Space Agency. Not being kicked out the ESA, but Brexit is looming. So who knows.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour, please click here!

Varidesk

Vari: Standing solution for all!

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So what is a Vari. First of all, Standing desks are all the rage at the moment, why shouldn’t they be?! Since, standing desks are said to improve your health and your posture. So, why wouldn’t you be thrilled about that!? However, we all don’t like building furniture, it takes too long. You get injured and there’s lots of swearing involved. So, wouldn’t it be great if someone invented an alternative to the ‘standing desk’ Someone has and it’s called the Vari and you’re going to love it! How do we know? We got our hands on one!

Design

The Vari is a standing desk solution and can be applied to almost any desk. No, we’re not asking you to take apart your desk, we’re asking you to add stuff to it. Since there is no assembly required either, it’s perfect for everyone!

Their design takes you from sitting to standing in 3 seconds! The Vari comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes to fit your personal desk, suited perfectly to your workspace.

The Vari is designed to have two tiers to allow for a spacious upper display area for a laptop or monitor or dual monitor setup. The lower level is for keyboards, mouse and more. Simply take out the Vari and place it on your desk. Job done. No hassle. No crying, to sore thumbs. Just health! Also, when you want to sit back down, simply adjust it using the spring loaded mechanism and dual handle design and lower. To go back to standing, simply lift the handles after adjusting the springs. There are a total of 11 different height settings. So, you wont need a stool to see what your typing.

Consequently, to purchase the amazing standing desk solution Vari please click here!

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Episode 271 Ready Player One

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Anker

Anker Bluetooth Earphones

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Funk Butcher recently got a brand new set of headphones from Anker. He feels that match and can beat the big boys over at Beats. All for a small fee of £15 compared to £129!

Anker Bluetooth Earphones Features

The Anker Bluetooth headphones have a range of features like I:

  • SoundBuds Slim
    The Lightweight Earbuds that Defy Sweat and Rain
  • High-Fidelity Audio
    6mm drivers deliver crisp, clear music to your ears via a smooth, skip-free connection.
  • Built For Active Lifestyles
    SoundBuds Slim are designed to be slimline and light (15g), while offering serious performance. Magnetically attach together when not in use, or tuck away into the travel pouch.
  • Customizable Fit
    3-size EarTips and InEar-Hooks provide a sturdy, comfortable hold. Cable measures 55cm for universal fit and no annoying tangles. Adjust your cable length with the FitClip, or affix to your clothing for extra security via the Shirt Clip.
  • Water Resistant
    IPX4 nano coating ensures complete defence against sweat, or rain. Push yourself to your limit during workouts and SoundBuds Slim will handle your audio effortlessly.
  • Listen Longer
    Play for up to 7 hours; longer than most earphones on the market. Bluetooth 4.1 ensures a connection range of up to 33 ft, compatible with the iPhone 7 or any Bluetooth device.
  • Intuitive Control
    In-built microphone (with CVC Noise Suppression) and 3-button remote enable you to manage more conveniently – from skipping a song, to answering a call without touching your phone.
  • Note:
    SoundBuds Slim cannot be recharged by most portable chargers because a minimum output current lower than 100mA (0.1A) is required. Recharging via wall charger, car charger or computer USB port is recommended.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

 

Click here to purchase your own!

VAR

VAR to be used at the World Cup

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Whether you like it or you hate it, Football is going to see a technological revolution in the next few years. VAR (Video Assistant Referees) have just been approved by FIFA to be used in this summers World Cup in Russia. If you are unawares of what VAR Technology is. Here is some information to get you up to speed.

What is VAR?

The tool, much like hawk eye in cricket and rugby, is used to help referees make calls that are dubious. A referee on the field of play can call on his VAR to help make a decision that he is unaware of. Then he will speak to a team of trained referees in a television center style box sometimes hundreds of miles away. Whereby they have access to many different angles of a replay. This can be sped up or slowed down as they wish to help make the correct decision.

The tool helps referees make the right call on goals, penalties, offsides or even penalisation of a player. In theory this will help decisions easier for the ref and help the right outcome of a match. Therefore, the correct team will proceed to the next round.

VAR Criticism

This is HUGE for the technology as there has been some ups and downs in recent trials around the UK. The main criticism of it being that it takes too long for a decision to be made. There is no communication between the fans and the officials nor between officials and players. Unlike Rugby where you can hear almost every word a referee says, you don’t hear anything.

That being said, the speed of the game should largely be unaffected as VAR’s only come out when there are huge errors or serious missed incidents. Most of the time it’s down to the referee on the pitch to make the call on his own.

Whether VAR is going to be a huge success at the World Cup is anyone’s guess. But it’s a huge sign of how serious FIFA is taking this technology.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

 

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Ready Player One

Ready Player One – The MOVIE!

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We got an advanced screening of Ready Player One this week and we were really excited to go see it!

However, for those wondering, the movie is released on March 29th and we thought that it was…….well you got to listen to the show to find out! As we’re telling you about the movie before it’s out. You’re probably wondering about spoilers. Therefore it’s best to note that we won’t spoil anything! So it’s safe to keep reading!

Ready Player One is a science fiction movie, which is produced and directed by the great Steven Spielberg. It’s written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, which is based on Cline’s 2011 book of the same name. The movie is riddled with pop culture references from all decades! (1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s and 2010’s) Consequently any film goers of all ages will enjoy this film’s nostalgia fest. So, during the film, there are references that are sometimes subtle to a lot of people’s favourite comic, movie and even gaming favourites. From The A-Team, Mad Max, The Iron Giant to Robocop, Jurassic Park and Microsoft’s heavyweight game, Halo!

Ready Player One: Plot

Please see the summary of Ready Player One from Warner Bros below:

In the year 2045, the real world is a harsh place. The only time Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) truly feels alive is when he escapes to the OASIS, an immersive virtual universe where most of humanity spends their days. In the OASIS, you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone-the only limits are your own imagination. The OASIS was created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). Who left his immense fortune and total control of the Oasis to the winner of a three-part contest he designed to find a worthy heir. When Wade conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends-aka the High Five. Are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS.

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