Seven things on Sunday (FToF #198)

Things of note for the week ending Friday October 14th, 2016

Things of note for the week ending Friday October 14th, 2016.

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A tech heavy edition this week; I make no apologies.

1. PSVR

Yeah, I got one.

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I don’t really know where to start on this one. The PSVR, to me at least, is the first true consumer-facing VR unit that is genuinely and truly accessible.

And. It. Is. Amazing.

It came with a demo disc (a ton of first levels from a bunch of game) and I bought VR Worlds (lots of different games) plus Arkham VR (you can be Batman); all of it is fantastic.

I wrote a lot of my pre-purchase PSVR action for Plaaayed way back when and stand by all of it. Arkham VR is a £16 game and you get to BE BATMAN. It’s so so so so so so GOOD. I also managed to get my hands on a copy of EVE: VALKYRIE and, as a space shooter, pulling barrel rolls, chasing down enemies – I have audibly wooped several times (here’s a gameplay video).

In short: it’s amazing. Any questions? Ping me. I have answers.

PS. I’ve let my son play on Google Cardboard but I doubt I’ll let him on PSVR (yet). That’s my decision though. Experts are working on their own opinions.

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2. PIXEL

I moaned about the price. But then I played with one and now I want one. And by want one I meant ‘I’ve bought one’ – it arrives next week (while I’m in Cairo – long story), expect more on this next week.

In the MEAN TIME, here’s a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at the Pixel, via Bloomberg.

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3. THE VOICEMAIL (181)

I do a podcast.

It’s called The Voicemail.

We just published Episode 181 (literally, like, two hours ago).

If you’ve never heard it before, why not try now?

Lots of VR talk, some Pixel chat, and a whole bunch of random other things too.

Yes?

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4. HILARY/TRUMP SHUFFLE

This is excellent.

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Hit the button and the website will find something from each of the candidate’s fifty year history.

Brilliantly done.

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5. RE-BALANCING TECH

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Documentally is giving up his iPhone.

Intriguing.

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6. SPEAK, MEMORY

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“It had been three months since Roman Mazurenko, Kuyda’s closest friend, had died. Kuyda had spent that time gathering up his old text messages, setting aside the ones that felt too personal, and feeding the rest into a neural network built by developers at her artificial intelligence startup. She had struggled with whether she was doing the right thing by bringing him back this way. At times it had even given her nightmares. But ever since Mazurenko’s death, Kuyda had wanted one more chance to speak with him.”

Dark.

Chilling.

True.

The Future.

More.

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7. THE END OF BLACKBERRY

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I had a running bet with a friend many years ago that Blackberry would be over ‘by the end of the year’. I think it ran and ran and ran – and I’m surprised it’s still going.

Only just.

This is a great read on the how and they why – and what happens next.

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Bonuses this week are all Ogilvy related:

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And that is me. I’m out.

It’s late.

I’m tired.

And I’m in Cairo tomorrow (long story).

 

Until next time x

 

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Author: James Whatley

Chief Strategy Officer in adland. I got ❤️ for writing, gaming, and figuring stuff out. I'm @whatleydude pretty much everywhere that matters. Nice to meet you x