Content:
The New Rabbit Toy That Has Everyone Excited!
Personal Journey Update
Weekly Fact
Quote of the Week
The New Rabbit Toy That Has Everyone Excited!
Tech maven Jesse Lyu, CEO of Rabbit, aimed to simplify our digital lives with the Rabbit R1 AI Assistant. The pocket-sized, throwback device has captured attention and wallets, selling out its initial 10,000 units in a single day.
Key Points:
What's the Rabbit R1 AI Assistant?
Unveiled at CES 2024, it's a $200 handheld AI assistant.
Co-designed with Teenage Engineering, it boasts a 2.88-inch touchscreen in a walkie-talkie-like design.
Features include a camera, control wheel, speakers, and microphones.
Runs on Rabbit OS, with a Large Action Model (LAM) AI for voice commands and tasks.
It's compact, only half the size of an iPhone 15, but doesn't host apps; it connects to your phone's apps.
It allows users to interact with apps without having to open their phones.
For example, if travelling from A to B requires you to book planes, trains and taxis. The Rabbit R1 would interact with the three different apps used to book those three different modes of transport and book the exact tickets needed to go from one mode of transport to another without you having to work it out yourself.
Versatility and Adaptability:
Operates on LAM, allowing it to learn and adapt to new applications.
Users can teach the R1 specific commands for customized interactions with a dedicated training mode.
Enhances utility by adapting to various interfaces and functionalities.
Popularity and Scarcity:
The initial 10,000 units sold out within a day, and the second batch for March is also sold out.
The R1 symbolizes a shift in how we interact with tech, steering away from the IoT wave.
Its simplicity in design and purpose resonates in a world saturated with complex tech ecosystems.
Why the Frenzy?
It is positioned as a game-changer in human-tech interaction.
Amidst CES 2024's IoT focus, the R1 stands out for its departure from the norm.
It is hailed by some as the "iPhone moment for the AI era."
Where Can You Get One?
Sorry, you can't for now. Both the initial and second batches are sold out.
The R1 represents a nostalgic departure from the tech connectivity craze.
The Full Circle:
Lyu's announcement is dubbed the "iPhone moment for the AI era."
Some tech enthusiasts have even rebuilt the Rabbit AI in a smartphone, showing a cyclical return to simplicity.
The Rabbit R1 AI Assistant has not just sold out; it's sparked discussions about the future of tech interaction. Whether it's a revolutionary shift or a fleeting trend, the Rabbit R1 has certainly made a memorable entrance into the tech scene.
You’ll Own Nothing and Like It!!
Ubisoft's recent statement about gamers getting comfortable with not owning their games has sparked discussions. As digital purchases surge, questions about ownership, convenience, and the role of physical media in the gaming industry are taking centre stage.
Key Points:
Digital Dominance Over Physical Media:
The rise of digital game purchases has been notable, overshadowing the traditional prominence of physical media.
Convenience factors like instant downloads and disc-less gameplay appeal to many gamers.
The Concerns of Digital Ownership:
Ubisoft's executive suggests gamers should embrace a shift similar to how consumers adapted to not owning CD or DVD collections.
Digital games, while convenient, are susceptible to removal by publishers, raising concerns about true ownership.
Balancing Convenience and Ownership:
Gamers appreciate the ease of digital game ownership, especially for quick downloads.
However, owning physical content remains distinct, providing a sense of permanence and protection from potential publisher actions.
Ubisoft's Perspective:
Phillipe Tremblay, Ubisoft's Director of Subscriptions, emphasizes that services like Ubisoft Plus represent the industry's future.
Tremblay acknowledges the shift in consumer mindset required for the acceptance of game subscriptions over ownership.
Consumer Reactions and Resistance:
The statement from Ubisoft has triggered reactions, with some gamers expressing discomfort with the idea of losing true ownership.
Many gamers value the permanence and tangible nature of physical collections, resisting a complete transition to digital-only ownership.
The Future Landscape:
The industry is witnessing a dynamic transition where digital services like Ubisoft Plus play a central role.
The debate between the convenience of digital ownership and the security of physical ownership is likely to persist.
Personal Thoughts:
First off, I’m already comfortable not owning any Ubisoft games anyway ;)
Ubisoft's stance on the future of game ownership is a bleak one. Digital downloads are convenient when a game is released but not so much once you’ve finished playing it.
The comparison to the ownership of CD’s is not a fair one. Music is something you want to carry around with you so having a digital collection on your phone is convenient and the replayability of music is unmatched to anything else.
Games however are not the same, games don’t have the replayability like music. You complete the campaign maybe get all the trophies/achievements and you’re done.
With a digital copy of the game, what do you do?
Most will let it sit there for a bit hoping for a DLC which usually only offers another 3/4 hours of gameplay but most will delete it.
With a physical copy, however, you can sell it on, using the money to fund the next game on the want list.
This is where NFT technology can solve this problem. Digital games as NFTs, they can be sold and traded just like physical versions. The gamers don’t have to worry about deleting a $60 game they only played for a couple of hours because they’re able to recoup some money back on a secondary market.
The devs don’t miss out either as just like current NFTs a royalty can be earned every time a digital copy of their game is sold and traded. This creates another revenue stream and keeps the incentive to make good games alive. This is because if a game is not good the market will determine a lower price thus making the profit from royalties lower.
As much as I hate it, I think all games going digital is inevitable. While this change happens, gamers need to demand more features that allow control and consumer safety.
Features like:
A tryout period once a digital game is purchased, so after an hour or two the gamer can decide if they like it or not. If not, deleting the game will result in a full refund.
Like the NFT example, features that allow digital games to closely resemble physical copies by allowing them to be sold and traded on a secondary market.
A clearer roadmap for games, for example, showing how many DLCs or extra content updates are scheduled so consumers can judge more clearly if an irreversible digital download is worth it.
Let me know what you think about Ubisoft’s comments.
US Banks Using XRP for International Payments Progresses
Ripple's journey, particularly with its native token XRP, has taken an intriguing turn. Recent statements from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and insights shared by blockchain expert Ben Armstrong suggest that significant developments are on the horizon, potentially transforming the landscape for XRP.
Key Points:
Ripple's Legal Battles and Regulatory Clarity:
Ripple faced legal challenges from the SEC since 2020, accused of conducting an unregistered digital asset securities offering.
In a landmark ruling in 2023, Judge Analisa Torres classified XRP as a non-security, providing Ripple with legal clarity, a crucial milestone.
Ben Armstrong's Perspective:
Ben Armstrong, a prominent figure in the blockchain sector, sees the potential adoption of XRP by U.S. banks as the "key to XRP's success."
Armstrong suggests that Ripple's legal victory against the SEC paves the way for the realization of its broader vision.
History and Evolution of XRP:
Armstrong traces the history of XRP, highlighting its evolution through upgrades and updates.
Points out a historical "fatal flaw" in Ripple's software that hindered banks' adoption of XRP, particularly the lack of mandate for holding XRPs.
Ripple's Innovative Solutions:
Ripple addressed the flaw by introducing RippleNet and ODL (On-Demand Liquidity), replacing previous products.
The new approach mandates holding XRP for utilizing Ripple's blockchain, potentially driving the broader adoption of XRP tokens.
True Value Proposition of XRP:
According to Armstrong, Ripple's strategic shift represents the "true value proposition of XRP."
Holding XRP becomes a prerequisite for leveraging Ripple's blockchain, potentially aligning with Garlinghouse's hinted adoption by U.S. banks.
Brad Garlinghouse's Strategic Moves:
Armstrong notes that Garlinghouse, in line with the mission, has been "very strategic" in navigating Ripple's path.
Hints from Garlinghouse suggest the imminent announcement of wider XRP adoption, creating anticipation within the XRP community.
Personal Journey: Taking on More Responsibilities
Responsibilities are considered one of the key factors that decide how much an employee gets paid.
Now 7 years into my engineering career I’ve been given the opportunity to manage a small team of engineers.
Already after 2 months of taking younger engineers under my wing. I realise it is not the amount of responsibilities that determines the worth of an employee, it’s how they handle those responsibilities.
Next month I start a course that will hopefully give me a better understanding of how to manage those responsibilities. The responsibilities funny enough aren't what worry me the most. It’s making sure I stay fair when it comes to the people under my wing.
The last thing I want to do is turn into one of those typical managers who loves to delegate but never leads. For example, someone who sits at a desk and tells people what to do while never showing anyone why they deserve to be in the position they’re in, never showing their actual skills in the workshop.
I want to lead from the front, working alongside my fellow engineers is the way to go. Of course, I will need to sit at a desk occasionally to do general admin. As soon as that part is done though I’ll be back in the workshop showing why I deserve to be in the position I’m in but most of all so I can guide others first-hand in the moment.
I will update you on how my new role is going in a couple of months and relay back what I’ve learned. Hopefully, this information can help others in similar responsibility-bearing situations.
Weekly Fact
The first product scanned was a packet of chewing gum in 1974.
Norman Joseph Woodland invented the barcode and received a patent in October 1952.
It wasn’t until 22 years later when he was employed by IBM, that the barcode was developed to be used for product labeling.
Known as the Universal Product Code (UPC), a system that is still used today
Quote of the Week
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