Weekly dose of UI/UX Industry News / 65th Edition
Business Model | Mastodon Transitioning to a Nonprofit Structure
Mastodon, the open-source social networking platform, is transitioning to a nonprofit structure to ensure its independence and long-term sustainability. This move aims to prevent control by any single individual or corporation, aligning with Mastodon's commitment to decentralization and user autonomy.
“We are going to transfer ownership of key Mastodon ecosystem and platform components (including name and copyrights, among other assets) to a new nonprofit organization,” Mastodon said in a blog post, “affirming the intent that Mastodon should not be owned or controlled by a single individual.”
The new nonprofit organization will oversee Mastodon's development and operations, fostering a more democratic governance model. This change reflects Mastodon's dedication to maintaining a user-first approach, free from the influence of profit-driven motives.
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Artificial Intelligence | Nvidia’s AI avatar sat on my computer screen and weirded me out
NVIDIA has introduced an AI-powered avatar named "NVIDIA Omniverse Avatar Cloud Engine" (ACE), designed to interact with users through natural language processing and realistic facial expressions. This technology aims to enhance user engagement across various applications, including customer service and virtual assistants. However, some users have reported feeling uneasy due to the avatar's lifelike presence on their screens.
The AI assistant, R2X, looks like a video game character, and it can help you navigate apps on your computer.
The AI avatar utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms to interpret and respond to user inputs, creating a more immersive experience. Despite its impressive capabilities, the uncanny resemblance to a human has led to mixed reactions, with some individuals expressing discomfort. NVIDIA continues to refine the technology, seeking to balance realism with user comfort.
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Applications | Google’s NotebookLM now lets you talk to its AI podcast hosts
Google's NotebookLM note-taking app has introduced an interactive feature for its Audio Overviews, allowing users to engage with AI virtual hosts. This enhancement enables users to ask questions and receive explanations from the AI hosts, aiming to help them better understand the information in their uploaded documents.
The idea behind Audio Overviews and the AI hosts is to give users a new way to digest and comprehend the information in the documents they have uploaded to the app, such as course readings or legal briefs.
The interactive mode is currently in beta and only works with new Audio Overviews. Google acknowledges that the AI hosts might occasionally respond inaccurately and may pause awkwardly before answering. Additionally, NotebookLM is undergoing a redesign to organize its tools into three panels: Sources, Chat, and Studio. Google is also launching a premium version for enterprises, called "NotebookLM Plus," offering additional benefits.
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Socials | WhatsApp is letting you stick your selfies everywhere
WhatsApp has introduced new features to enhance user experience, including camera effects, selfie stickers, and quicker message reactions. Users can now apply over 30 backgrounds, filters, and effects to photos and videos taken within chats, adding a creative touch to their messages. Additionally, the app allows users to create custom stickers from selfies by tapping the "create sticker" icon and selecting the camera option; this feature is currently available on Android and will soon be available on iOS.
These changes to WhatsApp are minor in the grand scheme of things, but they're just a sliver of the changes Meta's been making to the kinds of content it's platforms will allow.
The update also introduces a more efficient way to react to messages: users can double-tap a message to access their most-used reactions, streamlining the interaction process. Furthermore, WhatsApp now enables the direct sharing of sticker packs within chats, making it easier to recommend and discover new stickers. These enhancements aim to make messaging more engaging and user-friendly.
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Devices | DJI Flip review: a new breed of beginner drone
The DJI Flip is a beginner-friendly drone that combines features from both selfie and traditional camera drones. Its unique folding design includes built-in propeller guards, enhancing safety during flight. The Flip captures 12MP photos and 4K videos at up to 60fps, with options for both standard and D-Log M profiles.
The ability to capture photos and videos in both beginner-friendly and more advanced formats is welcome, while the price of the Flip is competitive.
While its image quality is suitable for beginners, it doesn't match higher-end models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro. The Flip offers multiple flight control options and is priced competitively, making it an appealing choice for new drone users. However, its performance in windy conditions is limited, and it lacks the agility of more advanced drones.
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