Microsoft Ignite 2023 is the annual conference by the company focused on developers and IT professionals where the company hosts sessions for its developer community to come and experience the new technology Microsoft is working on. The two-day conference kick-started with a keynote session yesterday, November 15, where the company typically made several software and hardware announcements that are relevant for developers as well as consumers. This year, Microsoft has planned nearly 600 sessions for the developers to attend physically in Seattle or online (for registered users). It also made some big announcements including plans to manufacture its own AI chips, rebranding of its Bing Chat to Copilot, and new capabilities for its Microsoft 365 suite of Copilots. Let us take a look at the 10 biggest announcements from the evening.
Google Maps updates: Immersive view for routes, EV charging, AI features, more
27.10.2023 - 09:09 / tech.hindustantimes.com / Ai / Ai Features
Google Maps is one of the most used apps for finding new places and navigating through different locations globally. Now, Google has introduced significant updates and features to the Google Maps app, which may enable users to have an improved user experience and enjoy new features that will simplify navigating routes. These new updates will allow users to experience AI features, explore their surroundings, and navigate the routes easily. Want to know what these features and updates are? Check what these Google Maps updates are all about.
Through a blog post, Google announces new features to help users plan trips, make sustainable choices, and find things to do with confidence. Check the features below:
1. Immersive View for Routes: This new feature enables users to watch a 3D preview of places. The app provides a multidimensional experience with turn-by-turn directions, traffic simulations, and weather forecasts, so you can avoid riding during rainy weather or heavy traffic. This feature is empowered by artificial intelligence to “fuse together billions of Street View and aerial images,” says Google. This feature will roll out this week for Android and iOS users in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo and Venice.
2. Explore surroundings with Lens: With the help of AI and augmented reality, Lens in Maps enables users to get familiar with their surroundings when they are exploring a new city or uncovering hidden local attractions. “Simply tap the Lens icon in the search bar and lift your phone to find information about nearby ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, coffee shops and stores.” This feature would be available in 50 locations including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, São Paulo and Taipei.
3. Detailed Maps navigation: The navigation maps are improved with updated colors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the realistic views of buildings, and improved lane details that enhance direction indications so you do not get confused about where to take the turn from. Furthermore, the app also provides AI-powered speed limit information which enables drivers to stay aware of the right speed limit.
4. EV information: EV owners often struggle with their car batteries charge running out. Now, Google will provide detailed information about charging stations, including whether they are compatible with your vehicle and how fast they charge, so you can find the best station for your needs. The feature will be rolled out globally.
5. New search features: Google Maps introduces photo search results based on AI and image recognition which will help users to discover places and they can also learn about the place by
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Grilled on Record-Keeping at Google Play Trial
Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai immediately faced aggressive questioning when he took the witness stand at an antitrust trial over the Google Play app store. A lawyer for Epic Games Inc. grilled Pichai in San Francisco federal court Tuesday over accusations that he has encouraged internal communications to be hidden from enforcers scrutinizing the company for antitrust violations.
Rooster Teeth Is Hosting A 24 Hour Livestream For Charity
At 10am CT (4pm GMT), Rooster Teeth will start its annual 24-hour stream to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in partnership with Extra Life. During that time, there will be several game shows to tune into, such as Whose Spot, The Spice is Right, Stinky Dragon, a live-action Operation game, and Scaredy-Cat Hour.
Submissions for Game Maker's Sketchbook at GDC 2024 are now open
Game artists: It's time to show your work to the world. The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) has opened submissions for its third annual arts showcase—promoting an honoring a broad spectrum of art by specific artists in video games.
(For Southeast Asia) Celebrating the holiday season with blockbuster games, new hardware products, and more PS5 console inventory than ever before
Next week marks the third year since PS5 launched and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank the more than 40 million players who’ve joined our global PS5 community. In these first three years, PlayStation Studios and third-party developers have introduced more than 2,500 PS5 games for players to enjoy, including fan-favorite titles in recent months like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Final Fantasy XVI.
Celebrating the holiday season with blockbuster games, new hardware products, and more PS5 console inventory than ever before
Next week marks the third year since PS5 launched and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank the more than 40 million players who’ve joined our global PS5 community. In these first three years, PlayStation Studios and third-party developers have introduced more than 2,500 PS5 games for players to enjoy, including fan-favorite titles in recent months like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Final Fantasy XVI.
5 things about AI you may have missed today: Beatles’ AI song, Rishi Sunak says AI poses nuclear war-like risk, more
November 2 has emerged as an important day for artificial intelligence, as new developments in the field of governance and pop culture have dominated the news. In the first incident, a new Beatles song was released after 45 years with the help of AI today. The song titled ‘Now and Then' can be heard on streaming platforms now. In another news, the UK PM Rishi Sunak compared risks associated with AI to the likes of pandemics and nuclear war. This and more in today's AI roundup. Let us take a closer look.
Amazon Announces Blue Protocol Technical Test For North America and Europe November 8-10th
Amazon Games and Bandai Namco have announced a Blue Protocol closed technical test for North American and European players starting on November 8th.
Devolver Digital to acquire Astroneer dev System Era for up to $40 million
Devolver Digital has acquired Astroneer developer System Era Softworks in a deal worth up to $40 million. System Era broke the news in a blog post and described the move as an "amazing milestone" for both itself and Devolver.
Devolver acquires System Era for up to $40m
Devolver has acquired System Era in a deal worth up to $40 million.
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II launches more haunting investigations on February 15, 2024
For those looking to carry the spooky vibes over to the new year, Aksys Games gave Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II a release date. The third entry in the series heads to PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC on February 15, 2024.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 RPG and Narrative Stream Reveals Player Character Phyre and Much More
An appropriate Halloween surprise, Paradox Interactive and developer The Chinese Room have just unveiled the player character, Phyre, in the upcomingVampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2.