Microsoft's Real-Time Translation Software Converts English to Chinese—and Preserves the Sound of Your Voice It could be the next best thing to learning a new language. Microsoft researchers have demonstrated software that translates spoken English into spoken Chinese almost instantly, while preserving the unique cadence of the speaker’s voice—a trick that could make conversation more effective and personal. The first public demonstration was made by Rick Rashid, Microsoft’s chief research officer, on October 25 at an event in Tianjin, China. “I’m speaking in English and you’ll hear my words in Chinese in my own voice,” Rashid told the audience. Video recorded by audience members has been circulating on Chinese social media sites since the demonstration. Microsoft first demonstrated technology that modifies synthesized speech to match a person’s voice earlier this year (see “Software Translates Your Voice Into Another Language”). Microsoft is not alone in looking to neural networks to improve speech recognition.
Real-Time Language Translation With UK Developer’s Own Google-esque Augmented Reality Glasses Real-time translation between an English and Spanish speaker is possible with DIY augmented reality glasses. Think that only the giant Google can make next generation augmented-reality glasses? Think again. A UK developer who has been hacking together his own Project Glass has now expanded its functionality to make a real-time speech translator. The demonstration of his glasses from his website is pretty impressive, as you can see in the video posted to YouTube: The video shows the translations as captions within a few seconds after the other person speaks. Powell has capitalized on his experience in augmented reality as he is also the lead developer at a business services company called Keytree that has developed the Kinect-hacked CEO Vision (which is worth checking out here). Augmented-reality glasses are sure to become the buzz over the next few years, especially with Google suggesting that commercial versions of their Glass would be available in 2013. [Media: YouTube]
Tribalism Returns as an Essential Tool of the Information Age | Cosmic Revolutions It’s no secret that the internet has given us new ways to communicate. But if you think the information revolution has come and gone, I’ve got news for you: it’s just getting started, and we’re already seeing a dramatic transformation in the way we learn about the world. It’s also causing a shift in some of the roles we play in society, subtler but no less important. If this sounds exciting and a bit unnerving, it’s definitely both! Let me take you on a quick tour of what’s new about this, why it’s actually a bit of a throwback, and the key differences this time around. I’ll end by exploring some of the tools you and I will need to navigate this new future. courtesy Grant Beecher What’s New Before the internet and the information revolution, most people learned about the world through mass media. This leads to an important concern: with this vast sea of information at our fingertips, how do we decide which things are true and important? Why It’s Actually Old What’s Different This Time
Back to the Tribe Traditionally, technology is seen as a force that diminishes our instincts and puts us at a distance of nature. Increasingly however, we realize technology can also energize and amplify our deepest human sensibilities – even some we had forgotten about. Propelling us not so much back to, but rather forward to nature. By VAN MENSVOORT Almost two decades ago, Brian Eno – artist, composer, inventor, thinker – gave an interview in which he stated the problem with computers was that there is not enough Africa in them [1]. Twenty years ago, when Eno gave his interview, no one had a mobile phone. Re-tribalization Study of the history of mankind shows that, for thousands of years, people lived in bands or tribal settings of no more than 150 people [2]. Social networks largely revolve around a stream of expression that feels more like ‘talking’ than writing Media theorist Marshall McLuhan was the first to envision the re-tribalizing powers of electronic technology. Secondary Orality References 1.
How GPS satellites will become our spacebound eyes in the near future SExpand This year, the Global Positioning System marks its 30th anniversary of being freely accessible to the public. It has become a near-ubiquitous tool for a variety of military and civilian uses. But we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface. The U.S. Self-driving cars Even a more accurate GPS signal has its limitations, and the most interesting applications pair GPS with other sensor technology. Indoor navigation For urban dwellers, the next step to cover is indoor navigation. Currently, indoor navigation relies on a variety of hacks using other sensors built into the smartphones we usually have in our pockets. In other words, we’re getting there, if little by little. Augmented reality Indoors or out, more precise pinpointing has plenty of implications for augmented reality, and we're already seeing the results. Finally, for those more socially minded, the next generation of GPS has some humanitarian applications as well. This is your chance.
Google Glass Pros: Positive Features of Camera-Embedded Sunglasses The arrival of Google Glass did not surprise everyone. Innovators like the U . of Toronto’s Steven Mann spent two decades making wearable computerized visual overlays — or “specs” — more compact and effective, till at last Google deemed the technology ready. SEE MORE: From the July 16, 2013 issue of Variety Augmented reality, or AR, has been explored in fiction since the 1980s by authors Vernor Vinge, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson and in my own novel “Earth,” portraying a near future when citizens will take it as a routine element of life. The path to your destination might be viewed as yellow bricks that are visible only to you. But conveniences accompany drawbacks. SEE MORE: View All Stories from Our Special Report on Google Huge privacy questions are raised by the way specs can record whatever the wearer sees. These devices won’t just record, they will enhance vision, zooming in and magnifying objects distant or close. You want to ban it all? Related Stories: Special Report on Google
What Will Human Cultures Be Like in 100 Years? I disagree. I think there's something to be said for looking at the whole of human culture, especially today with growing globalization. But more than that, despite our cultural segmentation, I think that there has always been something, even between the East and the West, that boils down to being generally "human." I disagree that there is no "human culture". One crossover hit between two cultures doesn't a global culture make. t-shirts and pants T-shirt and pants aren't in and of themselves cultural product- the status and meaning they have, and the use that is made of them, however, is. There is no such thing as human culture, and that's a good thing. I have added an "s" because you are right.