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Google’s Star Trek Communicator needs to be available

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Google had actually made a Star Trek Communicator – a device that looks like a pin, but works like a smartwatch – and shelved it. Why they shelved it is understandable, but the question is: why didn’t they launch it? If Google were to list a Star Trek Communicator in the Devices section of the Google Play Store, everyone would have bought regardless of what its functions were or if it actually worked. I bet they would have sold out even if they were empty shells of toys, I sure would have bought them. Star Trek fans would have grabbed every single one of these pretty fast, seeing as collectibles’ culture is strong among them.

Apparently, Google had taken the Star Trek Communicator idea and refined it, designing a small pin that could fulfill functions similar to those seen in the series. Although Google’s Star Trek Communicator was purely a research project that never should have seen the consumer market, the beans have been spilled and I’m thinking of getting my hands on one of these prototypes somehow. The Google pin was a simple wearable concept that built upon what the Star Trek Communicator imagined and created a pin that could work like a voice assistant.

Well, not entirely like a voice assistant, but Google would have ended up with that if they had pursued the project. What they did was embedding a Bluetooth sensor and a microphone into a circular pin that could be used in the way in which the Star Trek Communicator was during the series. With a small touchpad and speaker also embedded in the circular device, Google’s smart pin was meant to be worn on the chest and would have been an early step towards health monitoring technology. As an early prototype of what we’re calling Google Now today, the Mountain View giant’s first attempt at a Star Trek Communicator device was rather impressive, taking voice search to new levels.

Unfortunately, the device’s development was halted and it was never revealed to the public. Apparently, the Star Trek Communicator never even made it to the testing phase, according to Amit Singhal, SVP and software engineer at Google in an interview with Time Magazine. He revealed that the smart pin would be activated once the touchpad was tapped, starting a voice recording process that was meant to be used for voice search. He didn’t reveal what went wrong, though.

Now, we have Google Now, Cortana, Siri and more, voice assistants who can search as much as you want them to. We have modern-day Star Trek Communicator devices, but instead of being worn on the chest, they’re worn on our wrists. So it’s definitely not that hard to manufacture. As long as we keep it simple, we could even DIY our own communicator. Our guess is that Google’s prototype was first designed at least 5 years ago, and we have a hunch that the hype around it is gaining steam for a reason. I bet Google is going to release this, and it’s going to be Star Trek merch. I want to buy it, but I would go to $100, depending on what it can do. If it performs searches for me through a tethered smartphone and dictates them back, I can do $70. If it adds a small headphone, like the Motorola Hint, I’ll do $100. How much would you pay for a working Star Trek Communicator? Would you try to DIY it?

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Gadgets

Remake of Silent Hill 2 Dev is “Very Safe” with Any Changes

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The developer of the PS5 recreation of Silent Hill 2, Bloober Team, has said it will take a “very conservative approach” to whatever alterations it makes. Chief marketing officer Anna Jasiska claims that the Polish developer is being very cautious when making changes because they want to remain authentic to the PS2 masterpiece. However, we are making changes to some areas where time has passed and things need to be modernized.

While maintaining “the conventional tale canon,” the team is concentrating on “putting the distinct, visceral atmosphere back in the modernized Silent Hill 2” and modernizing the gameplay and graphics “from the ground up.” Hardcore fans shouldn’t worry that the developer “missed the point” of the original title, Bloober Team then emphasizes. We simply have some thoughts on how to make the odd fright components more accessible to the present audience. “We are not moving away from the original objective of making this cult masterpiece,” the statement continued.

Pyramid Head sexually rapes an enemy in a kitchen quite early in the game, and this is one particular scene Jasiska is questioned about. Jasiska effectively answered “no comment” when asked if the cutscene had been changed or not.

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Out of several other studios, Bloober Team was selected by Konami to oversee the production of the Silent Hill 2 remake. This decision was reportedly made because of Bloober Team’s “commitment and enthusiasm for horror.” The Layers of Fear series, Blair Witch, and The Medium are some of its earlier games. Because so many Bloober Team employees are ardent fans of the game, our business was astounded when we learned of this wonderful news.

The PS5 console exclusive Silent Hill 2 doesn’t yet have a release date, but given that it is in the last stages of development, this year’s release looks feasible.

 

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Artificial Intelligence

Using AI to develop arithmetic algorithms that are more effective

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Using AI, researchers at Google’s DeepMind in London have discovered that matrix multiplication issues can be solved more quickly. The team outlines enhancing math-based algorithms through reinforcement learning in their research that was published in the journal Nature. In the same journal issue, a Research Briefing detailing the work done by the London team was also released.

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In computer programming, math is frequently used to describe and then manipulate representations of real-world phenomena. It can be used to represent nodes in a synthetic network, meteorological conditions, or pixels on a computer screen. Calculations on matrices are one of the main ways that math is used in these situations. Matrixes can be used, for instance, to describe potential movement options in game programming. Matrices are frequently multiplied or added to in order to effectuate such movements; occasionally, both operations are required. This is labor-intensive, especially as the matrices get bigger, therefore computer scientists have devoted a lot of time and effort to creating ever-more-effective algorithms to do the task.

In this new endeavor, the DeepMind researchers questioned whether it may be feasible to deploy an AI system based on reinforcement learning to develop new algorithms with fewer steps than those already in use. They sought inspiration from gaming systems to learn the answer, observing that the majority of them are based on reinforcement learning. The team focused on tree searching after developing a few prototype systems, which is also used in game programming. It gives a system a way to consider multiple options in light of a specific condition. The researchers discovered that turning an AI system into a game allowed for searching for the most effective technique to arrive at a desired outcome—a mathematical result—when used to multiplying matrices.

The system was put to the test by the researchers by having it look for, evaluate, and employ pre-existing algorithms while utilizing incentives to select the most effective one. The system gained knowledge of the elements that affect the effectiveness of matrix multiplication. The researchers then gave the system the freedom to develop its own algorithm in an effort to increase efficiency. The researchers discovered that the algorithms selected by the system were frequently superior than those developed by their human forebears.

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Gadgets

Arriving with higher speeds and a new high-gloss look is Google’s Nest WiFi Pro.

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As is believed, a single pack Google’s Nest Wifi Pro costs $200, and three cost $400.

As anticipated, Google has announced the Nest WiFi Pro mesh router system, which features a sleeker appearance, WiFi 6E speeds that are quicker, and a straightforward setup. When Google’s new smart home protocol debuts, it will also function as a Matter hub, although it costs a little more than the existing Nest WiFi router.

The Nest WiFi Pro has a similar circular appearance to the previous version, but Google claims it utilizes a high-gloss material “inspired by ceramics” that is made of more than 60% recycled materials overall. In comparison to the WiFi Nest, which has a softer matte surface, it appears incredibly glossy in the promotional photographs. To fit nicely with most houses, it is available in four earth tone-inspired tones, “Snow,” “Linen,” “Fog,” and “Lemongrass.”

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A crucial component is the tri-band WiFi 6E protocol, which Google claims offers “a quicker and more direct path to the most dependable internet connection” and operates on the less congested 6Ghz frequency. The end result is speeds that can be up to twice as fast and support for the most recent smartphones and other WiFi 6E-compatible devices. It prioritizes high-bandwidth activity like video chats or streaming while analyzing network performance and optimizing connections to keep things moving swiftly.

The Nest WiFi Pro is compatible with the majority of smart home devices that are linked, and it has the speed to simultaneously handle video chats, 4K films, and security camera feeds. According to Google, a single router can span 2,200 square feet. It has a Thread border router built in to link smart home appliances via a low-power mesh. When Google’s new Matter smart home protocol debuts later this year, it will support it as well.

You’ll spend more than the existing Nest WiFi gadget for all of it. One unit costs $200 (as opposed to $169 for the existing Nest WiFi router), two units cost $300, and three units cost $400. Pre-orders are currently available, and shipment will begin on October 27.

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