The Latest AR Tools for Creatives and AI Tools for Marketers
Emerging Tech Roundup — March 1
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Lenovo Develops World’s First Laptop with a Transparent MicroLED Display, Samsung Unveils its Wellness Wearable Galaxy Ring, Google Considers Expanding Advanced LLMs on Androids, Xiaomi Shares CyberDog 2, Former Snap Design Lead Debuts AR Creation Tool Shader, Morph Studio Lets Users Make Films Using Stability AI–Generated Clips, and Tech Vets Raise $5.4M for Generative AI for Marketing Startup.
Lenovo’s Project Crystal is the World’s First Laptop with a Transparent MicroLED Display
(Engadget, February 25)
Lenovo’s Project Crystal is in the works, showcasing the world’s first laptop featuring a transparent microLED display. While not slated for retail, the concept explores the potential of transparent microLED panels and AI integration, allowing for innovative applications like reverse display and AR functionalities through the built-in rear camera. Despite the high cost associated with microLED displays, Lenovo’s pioneering concept hints at future possibilities such as overlaying diagrams onto real-world objects for troubleshooting or repair tasks.
Samsung Unveils the Galaxy Ring as a Way to ‘Simplify Everyday Wellness’
(Engadget, February 26)
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Ring, a wellness-oriented wearable showcased at Mobile World Conference, featuring health-tracking capabilities and offered in platinum silver, gold, and ceramic black. Equipped with sensors for sleep tracking and a new tool called My Vitality Score, the device aims to simplify everyday wellness and provide users with personalized advice based on their data. Compatible with the Samsung Health ecosystem and Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Ring offers a convenient and less intrusive option for monitoring health.
Google Expects its More Advanced Large Language Models to Arrive on Android Phones Next Year
(CNBC, February 26)
Google is optimistic about integrating its advanced AI models — particularly the Gemini large language model (LLM) — into smartphones within the next year, competing with OpenAI’s GPT-4. Currently available as Gemini Nano for on-device AI, Google plans to make its more powerful LLMs accessible without relying on internet connections or remote data centers. The company highlights the potential for on-device AI to offer instantaneous and subscription-free access to powerful language models, revolutionizing smartphone capabilities.
Xiaomi’s $3,000 CyberDog 2 Can Do Backflips
(Mashable, February 27)
Xiaomi has introduced the CyberDog 2, a less intimidating robotic dog compared to its predecessor, featuring a more realistic dog-like head with pointy ears. Equipped with 19 sensors for vision, touch, and hearing, the CyberDog 2 is designed to mimic the movements, appearance, and interactions of a real dog. Xiaomi emphasizes the robot’s ability to make autonomous decisions, aiming for a lifelike companion.
Former Snap Design Lead Debuts Shader, an AR Creation Tool That Uses AI to Generate Custom Effects
(Tech Crunch, February 28)
A former Snap design lead has debuted Shader, an AI-powered AR creation tool rivaling platforms like Lens Studio and Effect House, enabling users to generate custom effects, masks, and lenses within minutes, without coding skills. Built on the Stable Diffusion model, Shader allows text-based prompts to generate diverse creations, with plans for a premium subscription offering higher-quality features. With cross-platform sharing capabilities on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, Shader fosters a creative community — soon to include an in-app social feed for sharing templates and trying out effects, while also offering photo customization options using AI prompts or premade templates.
Morph Studio Lets You Make Films Using Stability AI–Generated Clips
(Tech Crunch, February 28)
Morph Studio launched an AI filmmaking platform that integrates Stability AI-generated video clips into user-created narratives through text prompts. Leveraging its own text-to-video model, users can craft storyboards by inputting prompts for different scenes, with plans to introduce additional generative video models in the future. With the ability to share production workflows within Morph’s creator community, users can replicate and modify templates by adjusting AI prompts, fostering collaboration and creativity in storytelling.
SpaceX and Microsoft Vets Raise $5.4M for Gradial, a Seattle Startup Using Generative AI for Marketing
(GeekWire, February 28)
Seattle-based startup Gradial, which utilizes generative AI to enhance productivity for marketing operations teams, raised $5.4 million in a seed investment led by Madrona. Founded by former SpaceX and Microsoft managers, Gradial’s software enables brands to create websites and campaigns efficiently through text input, while also streamlining content editing and updates across various platforms. Leveraging advanced LLM technology, Gradial represents a growing trend of startups automating coding, content creation, and other tasks through AI innovation.
