Amber Osborne

🤖 Did you know small businesses can punch above their weight in the AI game? Here's how they're leveling the playing field: 🚀 **AI at Work:** Tools like Midjourney are turning text into visuals for Lambda Films, empowering businesses to bring ideas to life faster. 💰 **Big Savings:** By automating tasks from expense management to content creation, AI is helping SMBs do more with less. 🛠️ **Efficiency Boost:** AI streamlines processes, giving businesses like Lambda Films the edge to tackle more projects. 💡 **Innovation Accelerator:** Copilot for Business Central speeds up product descriptions, allowing SMBs to launch new offerings quickly. 🤖 **AI Adoption:** The journey has just begun — about 25% of SMBs are already tapping into generative AI's potential. 🌟 Embrace AI to drive growth, efficiency, and creativity in your business! 🚀 #AI #SmallBusinesses #Innovation #Efficiency #Creativity #BusinessTransformation https://lnkd.in/g_UZsskN

2

Why I predict consumers will increasingly gravitate towards AI-fueled video games - it's the Transformation Economy! Evidence shows that we are living in the Transformation Economy, a shift in consumer behavior from the traditional consumption of merely products and services to consumption of products and services tied to an experience. And, we're moving beyond consumption merely focused on the experience (that's the ol' Experience Economy). Rather, consumers now are increasingly seeking experiences that do something specific; namely, facilitate their personal growth and well-being. In other words, experiences that are transformational. Video games infused with AI-driven choices provide players with infinitely greater agency than pre-scripted narratives with limited choices. So, AI-fueled games have the opportunity to create an environment where players have a more meaningful, personalized opportunity to explore, reflect, and grow through highly personalized choices and therefor consequences, thereby making them powerful catalysts for self-actualization. My prediction - games integrating AI are likely to be much more competitive than others in an economy where self-actualization reigns supreme. Joe Pine

7

1 Comment

Meta's launch of the Orion AR glasses prototype, this week, put much pressure on Apple's next move! Indeed, while Apple might have had the luxury to try out a gradual rollout approach for its AR headset - in the next couple of years - with the Vision Pro, transitioning into something way more portable. Now the pressure from Meta's release has made Apple's next move quite tight, as either they come out with something that has a lower pricing point, and is much more portable/wearable, or Meta might actually get a head start there! These are the key highlights to take into account for Apple's next move! - Competition Pressure in AR: Meta's recent AR glasses and mixed-reality headset developments put pressure on Apple to refine its Vision Pro headset strategy, which is not yet resonating with consumers. - Vision Pro Challenges: Apple’s Vision Pro, priced at $3,500, faces significant challenges: 1. It's more of a technology showcase than a consumer-ready product. 2. Limited third-party software and video content. 3. Comfort issues prevent prolonged use. - Meta's Offerings:  1. Meta introduced affordable products like the Quest 3S headset ($299) and Ray-Ban smart glasses, which are gaining consumer acceptance through effective design and marketing. 2. Meta’s Orion AR glasses prototype shows potential for future AR technology with a practical design. - Apple’s Strategic Options: Apple is exploring several paths for its headset strategy, including:   1. Maintaining the Vision Pro while developing a cheaper version.   2. Transitioning functions to the iPhone to reduce headset weight and cost.   3. Developing smart glasses or enhancing AirPods with AI features. - Need for Innovation: Apple is urged to accelerate its development efforts in AR and mixed reality to avoid falling behind competitors in this transformative technology space. - Smart Home Strategy: Apple is ramping up efforts in the smart home market with two new devices, including a tabletop device and a low-end smart display, both utilizing Apple Intelligence for enhanced functionality.

2

ICYMI: Exploring The Use of The MLC's Data The Music Modernization Act of 2018 mandated that The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) develops a public database of musical work copyright ownership information and make the data accessible in bulk and machine-readable methods. Our technology team, led by Richard Thompson (Chief Innovation Officer) and Raphael Amselli (Sr. Director of Technology / VP of Engineering) have built several data programs at The MLC, which, along with the DURP, welcomes over 465 companies around the world that access The MLC's data in some capacity. The MLC's Four Data Programs: - Bulk Data Access Subscription - Public Search API - Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP) - Data Quality Initiative (DQI) In a webinar that I hosted this week, I provided overviews of The MLC's four data programs and invited three differentiated companies from the UK, Australia, and Colombia & US that leverage our data programs to showcase how each of them makes use of The MLC's data in their backend processes and user experiences. Watch the recording as Chantal Epp FRSA of ClicknClear, Ben Orme of Jaxsta, and Diego Maldonado of ONErpm discuss how each of their companies leverage The MLC's data to supplement, enrich, or power their data processes and end user experiences (where applicable). Watch the recording: https://lnkd.in/e9QRf7n8 These showcases represent only a few use cases of The MLC's data at work throughout the greater music industry, but there are many more. Learn more about The MLC's Data Programs at https://lnkd.in/eHs4DXjm #metadata #musicrights #musicdata #bigdata #datatech #musicindustry #musiccopyrights #musicpublishing #musiclicensing #artistdata #musicapis #musicbusiness #datascience #dataanalysis #musicdatascience

13

2 Comments

step by step it is coming, at some point XR will be everywhere...

5

Do you know what multi-modal means in Machine Learning? I caught up with Craig Barr about that and much more on the role of #GenAI in Product Design. Watch the full interview 👇👇

9

😮 NIGHT VISION GETS A NIGHTLIGHT UPGRADE: Forget Bulky Goggles, Aussie Tech Rocks! Ever feel like those classic night vision goggles belong more in a Cold War museum than strapped to your head? Yeah, me too. But fear not, fellow darkness-averse peeps, because some brilliant “Aussies” just rewrote the night vision rulebook! HOW? 😎 They've cooked up “a secret sauce so thin”, it makes a sheet of paper feel like a medieval shield. Picture this: crystal clear night vision that integrates seamlessly with your everyday shades – talk about a style upgrade! 😵 This marvel of engineering is called a “NON-LOCAL LITHIUM NIOBATE METASURFACE” and it uses some fancy footwork called "non-linear upconversion" to supercharge your infrared vision. Imagine it as a real-life Instagram filter for the night, but way cooler 🌟 Now, the plot thickens: this tech isn't just about living out your inner detective fantasy (although, busting late-night fridge raiders with night vision would be pretty epic). It has the potential to revolutionize entire industries, like: 🔒 Security on Steroids: Imagine crystal-clear night vision guarding our streets and buildings – a major win for keeping everyone safe. 😍 Self-Driving Dreams: Picture autonomous cars navigating the night with ease, turning those late-night commutes into a smooth ride (minus the bumps in the road, of course). 🙄 Medical Mysteries Solved: Doctors might be able to see things they never could before, leading to groundbreaking medical discoveries. This tech could even be a game-changer for our everyday lives. Imagine: 🌠 Enjoyable night-time walks (no more surprise encounters with rogue tree roots!). 🌠 Early morning jogs without worry (say goodbye to those unexpected pothole surprises!). ‍Working late nights without straining your eyes (because hello, better lighting!). 🌠 This Aussie innovation is a shining example of how “science fiction is morphing into reality”.The utility of the new night vision technology isn't directly about eyecare, but it has potential benefits for activities that rely on good vision at night. 🌠Enhanced Immersion: Imagine games with dynamic lighting that truly simulate night environments. This technology could allow players to see in the dark just like their characters, creating a more immersive and realistic experience. Think about navigating a dark forest in an RPG or sneaking through a nighttime cityscape in a stealth game – the possibilities for deeper engagement are exciting. Source: eyesmart News https://lnkd.in/gSTWmjDu 👉This is the new” era of Vision  😎 REIMGANE VISION! 🔮 ___________________________________________ 🏌‍♂️ 💥 💦 💨Life is great!🌐 🏝 🐳🦋 _________________________________________ #nightvisionrevolution #futureoftech #sciencemagic #DenverEyewearArtWalk #StorytellingRevolution #Denver  #ColaborativeSolutions #ArtOnYourFaceMusicInYourSoul  #Web3Together

6

2 Comments

What does a CEO of a Spatial Computing/Metaverse company, XR Metaverse Studios , do on a Saturday afternoon? - Self Edification. "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice." ~ Steve Jobs Three take-a-ways from the "experience" of the tour: 1. I talk too much 2. I need to lose some stomach 3. Apple Vision Pro Updates DOES not compete with Meta Goggles - It Competes with 8K entertainment flat panel and a sound bar. A. The onboarding is great, the lenses are calibrated to vision prescription. Meta offers a plastic extension and my glasses still get stuck in my quest 2 headset. WHAT WE ARE CREATING AND BUILDING AT XR Metaverse Studios See for yourself: https://lnkd.in/gbyVtFqn OUR STORY Founded in 2024, XR Metaverse Studios started actually in a video call in 2016, with a big vision. Over the years, we have been waiting for the right time to launch..IT IS THAT TIME. We are working with leading Metaverse builder experts to provider cutting-edge innovative solutions available in the next internet frontier - on the Web3, serving clients around the world. OUR IMPACT ON INNOVATION We are dedicated to making a positive impact on society through our work. MARKETING - The Latest in Digital Marketing and the new eCommerce Immersive Marketing EDUCATION - Students are familiar with Virtual Reality, so teaching in the Metaverse will make learning and teaching fun again ENTERTAINMENT & ART - In the Metaverse an entertainer or artist can call the shots and perform of show to thousands of fans in a venue that reaches globally. Using NFT for transactions. WHY DID Scott D. Brown create and lead XR Metaverse Studios ? I was guided by a musical, the Man from La Mancha, my mom had me go with my sisters at the Long Beach California City Theater To Dream the Impossible DREAM It is the mission of each true knight... His duty... nay, his privilege! To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, To bear with unbearable sorrow To run where the brave dare not go; To right the unrightable wrong. To love, pure and chaste, from afar, To try, when your arms are too weary, To reach the unreachable star! This is my Quest to follow that star, No matter how hopeless, no matter how far, To fight for the right Without question or pause, To be willing to march into hell For a heavenly cause! And I know, if I'll only be true To this glorious Quest, That my heart will lie peaceful and calm When I'm laid to my rest. And the world will be better for this, That one man, scorned and covered with scars, Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, To reach the unreachable stars! Musical: Man of La Mancha. Song: Impossible Dream. Broadway musical soundtrack lyrics. provided for educational purposes © 2024 AllMusicals.com If your organization dreams it, XR Metaverse Studios will Create / Illustrate it, builder community builds. #metaverse #education #marketing #entertainment #training #business

12

6 Comments

Somewhere between the Nintendo Switch, the Valve Steam Deck, the Sony PSP and Sony PSVita lie the ambitions of both Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox. Both are thinking about, planning, and prototyping handheld hardware. Here are a handful of references just from 2024. No device will be ready soon, but both Sony and Microsoft are purportedly planning on handheld devices in a few years, which would be near the lifetime end of the current devices. Will they actually come out? Who knows. But everyone wants a piece of that 142 million lifetime units for the Nintendo Switch. It makes sense. Sony and Microsoft both have experience with PC, Console, & Mobile hardware. The challenge to find that sweet spot, after seeing Valve, Asus, Lenovo, MSI, Ayaneo, and others all make hybrid mini PC handhelds, must make Sony and Microsoft antsy to dive in. ----- GameRant: "Sony and Microsoft Could Be Teeing Up to Compete On a New Front" (Nick Rodriguez) (Nov 22, 2024) Gamerant: https://lnkd.in/g6y7WK2g ----- Polygon: "A handheld Xbox? Microsoft’s gaming chief can’t stop thinking about it A handheld Xbox could be hardware, an app, or both" (Chris Plante)(Mar 25, 2024) Polygon: https://lnkd.in/g7ci2H4N ----- TechRadar: "Sony may be considering the handheld market again, but please don't let it be a repeat of the PS Vita. Hopefully, it's learned its lesson this time around" (Allisa James) (August 27, 2024) TechRadar: https://lnkd.in/gA9ty_hQ ----- TomsGuide: "A new PlayStation handheld could be on the way and I'm torn about it — here's why. I want another portable PlayStation, but I have my concerns" (Dave Meikleham) (August 29, 2024) TomsGuide: https://lnkd.in/gKZzJtmg ----- ‘I think we should have a handheld too’, says Xbox boss Phil Spencer Microsoft Gaming CEO drops a major hint that Xbox is working on portable hardware" (Tom Ivan) (Jun 10, 2024) https://lnkd.in/gXHpuRX3 ----- Bloomberg: "Sony Working on Handheld Console for PS5 Games to Rival Switch. Nintendo’s Switch has dominated mobile console space for years Rival Microsoft is also developing portable gaming prototypes" (Takashi Mochizuki & Debby Wu) (November 24, 2024) Bloomberg: https://lnkd.in/gJ58wD3t ----- Bloomberg: "Microsoft’s Gaming Chief Is Still Open to Acquisitions After Activision Deal. Phil Spencer is planning how to enter and partner in the handheld device and mobile-store markets" (Dina Bass) (Nov 13, 2024) Bloomberg: https://lnkd.in/gXnV_FaP ----- VideoGameChronicle: "Sony is planning a new PlayStation handheld, it’s claimed. Sony’s new PSP ‘is in early stages of development’" (Nov 25, 2024) (Andy Robinson) VideoGameChronicle: https://lnkd.in/gPvez9Da ----- VideoGameChronicle: "Xbox is building a handheld but it’s likely ‘years away’, says boss. Phil Spencer says Xbox is working on handheld prototypes" (Nov 13, 2024) (Andy Robinson) VideoGameChronicle: https://lnkd.in/gzE4Ja2V #gameindustry #gameconsole #gamehardware #handheld #console #portable #sony #playstation #microsoft #xbox

2

2 Comments

For anyone interested in where immersive tech is going, Expand Reality’s page is a great resource. Whether you're into XR, VR, or just curious about how connected experiences are evolving, they've been sharing some really useful information, especially with the new CTO Guide! From Meta Mesh to the future of XR devices, there’s a lot to explore. If you’re looking to stay updated on what’s next in this space, I’d definitely recommend checking out Expand Reality

7

We recently started a weekly column called "Hard Boiled Software". It covers the social and technical intersections of product and engineering. A common theme in our work at Nerd/Noir is bringing these worlds into closer harmony. (The hard boiled bit is a nod to the film noir genre, so you can expect a bit of grit and cynicism in the posts.) Basically, we got tired of pushing out a sales and marketing-focused newsletter. Boring! Instead, we've refocused on sharing learnings, tools, thoughts, and occasional rants... into actually useful content. It's also much more enjoyable to write :) We'd love to have you join the conversation. Just click the "Subscribe to newsletter" link in my profile above. Hope to see you there! #leadership #strategy #product #engineeering

33

4 Comments

How Would You Feel? The silence was deafening. 😱 I was stood on stage, not know what to say in front of 100s of people. The presentation slides wouldn’t load and the AV Tech was working furiously to get everything working. It felt like an eternity. Meanwhile, the audience is sat in awkward silence, waiting... That was me at speaking at a National Conference in 2019. Since then I’ve learnt to deal with unexpected hiccups when speaking and presenting. Here’s what to if there’s technical difficulties and you need to fill an awkward silence. Ask the audience a question. > What questions do you have for me about my topic? > What was your biggest Aha moment from the last presentation? > How do you deal with employee burn out (or other relevant topic)? Fingers crossed you don’t have any awkward moments but if you do, hopefully this helps. 🛫 Follow me for insights on how Technology can save you time and grow your business. 👟 We offer Tech Leader Training and Coaching, to find out more, let’s chat! Send me a DM. #Innovation #TechLeadersAcademy

9

For those of you who had "KPop VR In A Theater" on your Friday Bingo Card, indulge me in geeking out a bit: I recently tried out a VR concert in a movie theater. Blending my love of emerging tech with my kid’s passion for K-pop, this was a unique way for us to explore our respective interests. Initially, I expected a standard 180-degree video, but the interactive hand-tracking element, though subtle, added an engaging twist that made it feel more like an active experience. Watching my hand turn into diamonds was a fun touch! At the start, the audience chooses a "lead character" from the band, offering some light interactivity before diving into immersive music videos. The video quality was remarkably clear, comparable to Apple Vision Pro, even on a Quest 3 headset. The environments varied in quality; abstract settings worked well, avoiding the “uncanny valley,” while more realistic scenes, like urban alleys, felt a bit off. The game-engine look fit the pop aesthetic, even if some environments felt like a video game. In this 180-degree format, camera cuts could disrupt immersion, but the creators wisely used slow, smooth movements to maintain a dynamic feel without causing motion sickness. However, there were moments when band members got uncomfortably close to the camera, which felt awkward, especially when the camera angles placed their faces too near my crotch! As a game developer, I’m particular about frame rates, and this experience ran smoothly at 60 fps, giving it a heightened sense of realism. However, fast dance moves caused slight stuttering, breaking the immersion. I’d love to see if the Apple Vision Pro version might improve on this, if the footage was shot at a higher frame rate. One of the best aspects was the theater's sound system, which enhanced the communal experience more comfortably than headphones. Even though we couldn’t see other audience members, the shared audio gave a sense of presence. However, they missed an opportunity to use the theater’s sound system more creatively. For instance, during audience prompts from the band, the silence in an empty theater was noticeable. Using directional audio to simulate a concert crowd could have amplified the immersive experience. The program lasted about 50 minutes, longer than I expected. By the end, the Quest 3 felt heavy, and the shifting sanitary liner required frequent adjustments. A lighter headset, like Bigscreen VR, would’ve been more comfortable. At $35 per ticket, this VR concert clearly targets fans and tech enthusiasts. While not for everyone, it was worth experiencing, particularly for the integration of VR with theater technology. However, the inability to enjoy popcorn during the show was a minor letdown!

12

1 Comment

#AWE 2024 Thoughts Here are my five takeaways: 1. Qualcomm's Dominance: They are so deeply ingrained in the XR space, it’s impressive to see how they continue to push XR hardware. 2. Shift from Custom to Platform: There’s a noticeable shift in the industry from custom solutions to more standardized platforms. 3. Improved Talks: The talks this year were better. There was less focus on the metaverse hype and more on actual deployments and practical use cases, which was refreshing. 4. Demographic Changes: There seems to be a trend away from consumer/influencer XR (they are now AI experts). The gap between sponsors and exhibitors and the audience is still pretty deep however. AWE needs to do a better job of getting the right audience in front of the companies buying booths. 5. Venue and Food: The venue in Long Beach is definitely better than Santa Clara but Santa Clara is a better city. What happened to Long Beach... does nobody live there? See you next year 👋

48

17 Comments

Meta's hardware strength continues to grow: "You control the glasses through a combination of eye tracking, hand tracking, voice, and the neural wristband, which loosely resembles a Fitbit without a screen. It’s made of a high-performance textile material and uses electromyography (EMG) to interpret neural signals associated with hand gestures. In milliseconds, those signals are translated into input. It’s not reading your thoughts, but it kind of feels like it." https://buff.ly/3XY46Nw #meta #orion #AR #gestures #accessibility #compute #AI

3

If you need any indication of consumers’ hunger for modern, engaging technology, look no further than this move by Snap and their AR glasses. They unveiled “a new, proprietary operating system to power its fifth generation of augmented reality (AR) Spectacles glasses and other hardware in the future.” Their core customer base is growing up and they’re not sold anymore and the “same old same old.” Something I think we can say is the case for plenty of modern consumers. There’s a hunger for MORE. A major brand like Snap making moves like this with AR shows us where modern content consumption could be headed. A paradigm shift that is brewing and will have immersive experiences define the next step. #ARTechnology #Technology

1

California Partners with Nvidia to Train 100,000 People in AI: 'New Industrial Revolution' https://lnkd.in/g6x6Duxx #podcastmarketing #webdesign #socialmediamanagement #strivingforgreatness #smallbusiness #ecommercestore #propertymarket #podcasting #functionalmedicine #digitalmarketingservices #socialmediamarketing #successcoach #businessowner #socialmediatips #realestatebusiness

1