How Tech is Reconfiguring Our World
By: Quantious Team
Tags: Technews, AI, NYC, Technology, AR

Emerging Tech Roundup — April 9

The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.

This week in tech: Apple looks to the future of AR, Liam Payne uses AR for his live BAFTA performance, AI helps detect skin cancer, Google launches new WebXR features, AI helps researchers turn 2D composite images into 3D structures, and the state of New York looks to make internet service more widely accessible.

AR Is ‘Critically’ Important For Apple’s Future, Says Tim Cook

(9to5 Mac, April 5)

CEO of Apple, Time Cook, noted how he believes augmented reality can enhance conversations and provide unique use cases across industries. Though he doesn’t discuss specifics, Cook has been mentioning AR a lot during interviews recently, hinting at the company’s next big bet on the innovative tech. In fact, he said, “I think the [AR] promise is even greater in the future. So it’s a critically important part of Apple’s future.” Although we don’t have details about Apple’s plans, according to Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, the company could be releasing their mixed-reality headset next year. As more developments come to light, it will be interesting to see how Apple approaches AR and incorporates it into products.

Liam Payne Will Use Augmented Reality to Create an Avatar Which Will Stream to Viewers Phone During His Upcoming BAFTA Performance

(DailyMail, April 5)

Platinum-selling artist, Liam Payne, will be leveraging augmented reality as he performs at the 2021 British Academy Film Awards. Wearing a suit and headset designed to capture the movements of his body, face, and vocals, the data will be instantly transformed into 3D animations, creating a unique immersive experience. A first of its kind, Payne is excited to be tapping into augmented reality to create his very own avatar that will join him on stage as a hologram while he sings. In addition, his performance will be live-synced and transmitted to fans in the UK via their smartphones.

An Artificial Intelligence Tool That Can Help Detect Melanoma

(MIT, April 2)

Researchers are developing an AI system to detect skin cancer. Cancerous growths are typically diagnosed after close inspection from a dermatologist, followed by a biopsy. The problem with this method is that a patient might have numerous marks and growths on their skin, so it is time-consuming and tedious for a dermatologist to look at all of them. Using AI, a wide-field image of the patient’s skin is analyzed, and deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) name and classify suspicious marks on the patient’s skin, as well as group them together. Using this process, DCNNs can effectively identify early-stage melanoma in a timely manner. The process is still being fine-tuned, but because so much of diagnosing skin cancer is based on sight, scientists are optimistic that the AI process will eventually have comparable accuracy to top-level dermatologists.

Experiment With AR and VR Made For the Web

(Google Blog, April 6)

The Experiments with Google platform launched new features for WebXR, a combination of AR and VR that’s accessible via the web. The collection includes helpful utilities, as well as more lighthearted experiences. The features cover a wide range of capabilities from visualizing effective social distancing, to new ways for exploring the planet, an immersive gallery to view your photos, and more. In order to give these features a try, all you will need is a supported Android device equipped with the latest Chrome browser.

New Machine Learning Tool Converts 2D Material Images Into 3D Structures

(TechXplore, April 6)

At Imperial College London, they’ve developed an algorithm capable of converting 2D cross-section images of composite materials into 3D models. Today, analyzing and designing composite materials in 3D is not only challenging and tedious, but also costly. This algorithm can understand what the 2D images look like, then effectively scale them up, generating 3D structures that can be studied across the various phases and layers that make up the composite. With it, researchers hope that the tool can help provide more affordable options in studying, improving, and producing composite materials like battery electrodes, aircraft parts, and more.

New York to Set $15 per Month Price Cap On High-Speed Internet For Low-Income Earners

(WSKG, April 7)

New York is working on an initiative to expand broadband internet access and decrease internet costs all around the state. One of the new rules in this plan is that internet service providers in New York wil have to offer separate packages for low-income customers. The low-income plan will start at $15 per month (including all taxes, fees, and other costs from the provider). To be eligible to receive these lower rates, customers will be required to prove that they are receiving some form of public assistance, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), free or reduced-price lunch at school, etc. These reduced prices are scheduled to be available in June, and most internet service providers in the state will be required to comply.