Tech Innovations Lead to Exciting New Opportunities
Emerging Tech Roundup — July 9
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: China proves their AI capabilities in the Smart-City competition, TikTok offers up its algorithm for sale, Tencent plans to use facial recognition to curb gaming addictions, Snapchat offers findings on effectiveness of AR on shopping experiences, China experiments with the deflection of asteroids via rockets, and Harry Potter fans can enjoy themed VR experiences through Portal and the Harry Potter NY Flagship store.
A Global Smart-City Competition Highlights China’s Rise in AI
(Wired, July 3)
China is making large advancements in their AI development and usage, proven through their participation in the global Smart-City competition. China is experimenting with various features that will build a ‘Smart-City,’ including AI used to count the number of cars on a road, track and identify vehicles on a specific road, and more. Other developing features include traffic light tracking, which can be used to reduce road congestion and help make way for emergency vehicles when necessary.
TikTok’s Algorithm and AI Tech Are Now Up for Sale
(Gizmodo, July 4)
TikTok has finally chosen to offer their success-driving algorithm for sale, increasing competition with Google, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Alibaba, and other tech giants. The highly successful algorithm is based off of user interactions within the app, as well as location services and other components that are likely to be kept confidential until one pays the asking price. Features for sale include tools for data analysis and management, automated translation services, computer vision tech, and more. Potential buyers already include Goat, WeGo, and Chilibeli.
Tencent Deploys Facial Recognition to Detect Minors Gaming at Night
(Sixth Tone, July 6)
In an effort to keep minors from playing video games after allotted hours, Tencent’s “Midnight Patrol” face recognition software will kick minors offline between 10 P.M. and 8 A.M.. Users will be required to register their face and anyone who refuses or fails the facial recognition verification will be unable to continue play. The initial launch will implement the software in 60+ games and hopefully, will contribute to slowing down gaming addictions among children.
Snapchat Shares New Research on Conversion via AR Campaigns
(Social Media Today, July 6)
Snapchat released research explaining that AR Product Experience Lenses, which are used for shopping within the app, are twice as likely to drive significant lifts in Action Intent among users/shoppers. The researchers found that among shoppers, Lenses influenced a lot more sales activity than Snap Ads did. It is worth noting that there are a lot of contributing factors that may cause increased appeal to an AR experience among shoppers, but one cannot ignore the fact that AR shopping experiences are growing in favor.
China Explores the Potential Use of Rockets to Deflect Earth-Bound Asteroids
(ZME Science, July 7)
China has found that 23 Long March 5 rockets, if launched, have the potential to avoid global damage to the Earth. The rockets are expected to be able to deflect an asteroid ‘by a distance of 1.4 times the Earth’s radius.’ However, China is not yet sure of the debris that could fire back on Earth as a result from the launching of the rockets. NASA also has plans to explore this area of knowledge and experimentation, as well as other countries.
Facebook’s New AR Portal Feature Lets You Dress Up as Harry Potter Characters
(The Verge, July 7)
US and UK Portal users can use the new AR feature to choose between three Harry Potter locations to visit while on a call. The feature also allows users to cast spells on one another and experience the AR-integrated video call as characters from Harry Potter. Although users need a Portal for most of the said components, the character masks, specifically, can be used on the camera apps within Facebook and Instagram apps.
Two Harry Potter VR Experiences to Open at the New Harry Potter NY Flagship Store
(KPVI, July 8)
WarnerMedia has announced that the “Chaos at Hogwarts” and “Wizards Take Flight” VR experiences have launched at the Harry Potter New York flagship store on July 5, 2021. Up to 6 Harry Potter fans at a time can immerse themselves in the experience using VR headsets, backpacks, various sensory trackers, and even peripheral wands. Using the various VR technology, participants can explore the Hogwarts castle, embody characters, cast spells, ride a broomstick, and more.
