Voice Assistants 😎 😍 👌 #51

Voice Assistants 😎 😍 👌 #51

10 Apr, 2018

Double Your Estimates.

Early in my career an experienced Project Manager gave me advice that I still use: when estimating, come up with how long it’ll take then double it – that’s the number you give others. It’s surprising how often it works and how a simple equation reduces stress.

Here’s an example: you’re asked to finalise a presentation. In your mind you quickly work out that it should take you about a day. Say it’ll take 2 days.

Part of the reason it works is that it’s simple.

It recognises that the future can’t always be predicted in the moment: you may want to do something else that comes up, people may need longer to review, or a multitude of other things. It provides an opportunity to deliver early and remove unnecessary stress on those around you.

Delivering early is fun.

Curious?

OK, I know. It was only two emails ago that I declared my favourite book of the past ten years. It’s still true. This one, A Curious Mind, by Brian Grazer is nipping its heels!

Brian Grazer is an ultra-successful Hollywood Producer who promotes the role of curiosity in enjoyable and successful lives. In his twenties he deliberately met a new person each day and he explains how his 35 years of ‘curiosity conversations’ have informed so much of his work. He surprised me by talking of how he manages through curiosity: that through honestly asking questions people are empowered.

I particularly enjoyed his honesty and application of curious questions when working with actors who’s job it is to manipulate you in to believing them…

He also suggests we don’t recognise curiosity highly enough. I agree.

Let me know what you think if you read it. I’m …curious.

Thanks Caleb for the recommendation!

🎉🎉2 years 🎉🎉

The next of these emails will signify my having done so for 2 years.
Let me know what you’d like to read in celebration. Toot toot!

Be amazed.

So much is changing in the housing market [thanks Fred]:

Great reads / listens

  • Search “Burniske” (the author of CryptoAssets) on your podcasts app and many will come up. They’re probably all good. This one is a great extension to the book and also a summary of crypto assets book. [1 hour listen]
  • For the creatives ~ [thanks Nick]
    “the best way to thrive in your creative life is to pretend like you’re in Groundhog Day…”

For you / your CEO

  • If you’re wanting to quickly get up to speed on Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Robert Scoble & Shel Israel’s The Fourth Transformation is a good overview. If you’ve already watched a few videos or followed VR & AR commentary, I suggest not much will be new to you. I liked learning about headsets picking up autism in children (and the potential for saving a lot of confusion).
  • Check out these fascinating comments on the current state of Voice Assistants:

Waving from an Autumnal Melbourne,

~ Sam

 

Extending Senses 🏃 🚚 👂#41

Extending Senses 🏃 🚚 👂#41

21 Nov, 2017

It was the “latte” in this Tesla semi post that made me grin.

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Books that you miss upon finishing.

I was entranced and entertained listening to Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

VR/AR leaders often recommend it to experience one of our possible futures: ultra-simulation (in 2045). The impressive narration by Wil Wheaton often had me chuckling, the detail in the book astounded me and of course it was fun to hear the vast number of (familiar) 1980’s references.

It’s also a Spielberg movie to be released next year.

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Kevin Kelly in Recomendo.

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Favourite reads & listens

  • What senses would you extend?Neil Harbisson talks about going from full colourblindness to installing an antenna so he could hear sound. Apparently the cleaning product isle in the supermarket is like a fun nightclub! It’s an uplifting, fascinating, futuristic, 9:35min watch. Actually even the first few minutes is worth it to imagine a new dimension for you.Photo credit: Ted.com
  • Rolling Stone followed Elon around for months.Here are a few quotes that struck me:



  • “The world is getting better at a stunning rate“. This report has “evidence of abundance” graphs and insights. Big thanks to Peter Diamandis and his team for showcasing how the world is improving. Here’s to balanced news.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Using algorithms and radical transparency at work may make your workplace even easier. (thx Jacqui Hocking)
  • The Websummit opening remarks are a great call for designers, creators, entrepreneurs and technologists to focus on building tech that is useful and fair for society. Included are: Stephen Hawking on AI, Bryan Johnson on HI, a regulator’s view of Facebook and other ultra powerful tech companies.

Great presence

  • Thanks for the laugh David Roberts (of Innovation and Disruption at Singularity University). Here is his bio: “His fascination with technology began In fourth grade after building a hovering electric drone, to carry his younger sister to the bus stop, powered by what was formerly his mother’s vacuum cleaner, and fortunately limited by the length of an electric power cord.”Have you added humour to yours?
  • Good fun at the London tube:

Have a wonderful week,

~ Sam

RunwayDigital.com

 

PS. One of the companies and experiences that have most impressed me in the last couple of years is Manly Ocean Adventures. Knowledgeable, exceptional value, and thoughtful, they’re advertising their incredible experiences (with or without whales) as great Christmas gift ideas. If you’re near Sydney or your people are… this could be for you!

 

 

PPS. in a previous email I wrote about the Apple Airpods. My update from a month of using them is that I’m still loving the earphones quick change between computer and iPhone and watch phonecall pickup. I am missing the ease of the Jaybirds hanging around my neck. The Airpods are a bit more of a cognitive load for me. They’re fiddly to remember where they are / to put in my pocket when I’m on the move and I sense I’ve a higher risk of losing them. Jaybird X2 Sport were around my neck all the time and I could use one or two earphones and never think about the battery or getting into the practice of taking out one Airpod during a long phonecall to make sure I have enough battery. The tech of the Airpods is beautiful and clever and it’s wonderful they can be used across many bluetooth devices – not just Apple’s. Airpods around the neck!?!

Disruption 🚀 💫 👌 #38

Disruption 🚀 💫 👌 #38

10 Oct, 2017

Airline Industry, you’re next.

Just over a week ago Elon Musk announced his Mars plans and (mic dropped) massive airline disruption.

“The goal of these initial missions is to find the best source of water… That’s the first mission. The second mission is to build the propellant plant.”

See the Mars village come to life.

Who knows what will be discovered through exploring and living on Mars. Going anywhere in the world (at similar costs to current tickets) in under an hour will connect people even more 😄

Elon has said “life needs to be more than just solving every day problems. You need to wake up and be excited about the future”.

Each individual contributes to the whole of humanity. Here’s to his talk inspiring you.

This one’s great too.

Love is Love.

In Australia we’re having a vote on marriage equality so there is lots of conversations about LOVE 😍

I loved (ah, pun intended) seeing a t-shirt yesterday with a simple “Love is Love” across the top.

Simple. Let’s get on with things.

Learning about Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies – including Bitcoin and Ethers.

I’ve compiled and ordered 25+ easy introductory and more advanced blockchain tech and cryptocurrency links on this page.

It includes a few recent links, such as “How to explain cryptocurrencies and blockchains to your friends and family” podcast and another great couple of introductory YouTube video I spotted last week.

Getting into this topic takes watching and reading so start out with those at the top of the page and find a couple of hours to enjoy learning – perhaps via your phone as you walk along the river?

Favourite reads & listens

  • Alyssa Ravasio of Hipcamp on how technology is changing how we relate to nature.
  • Fascinating topics in the new “Type Human” email.
  • Designing the future suburb for drones, autonomous vehicles and the changing environment.
  • For years I’ve been a fan of libraries offering great services and here they go again! Seeing this in Kevin Kelly’s email prompted me to check out Lynda.com at Melbourne City Library and it worked well. Perhaps you can access Lynda courses via your library?”Lynda.com has an excellent collection of training videos for learning programming, design, bitcoin fundamentals, bookkeeping, and much more. Lynda charges a monthly fee, but if you have a library card, the chances are you can become a Lynda member for free.”
  • Rebranding dyslexia. Nice one Steve.
  • Enjoy the great acting in Bladerunner 2049. Spot the zen reminders and beauty in dystopia.”It is less a movie and more of an experience. It feels like an immersion into virtual reality without 3D. The unmusical sound track, slow-pace editing (it runs almost 3 hours!), breathtaking visual details, all deliver a stunning alternative world, with even more persuasion than its famous prequel.” Kevin Kelly

For your CEO and senior leaders

  • Meet the world’s first Tech Ambassador & Embassy.”The new job will have four key roles: building partnerships; shaping tech companies’ opinions; spotting new trends; and overhauling the Foreign Ministry itself.”
  • If your leaders haven’t yet gotten Augmented Reality, this may help to see how 3D spaces are being used to get things done via ARKit.

You may be able to guess this photo is me looking across to and imagining myself skiing my favourite Mt Hotham lines. Now that the snow season has ended, I’m transitioning to the surfboard, enjoying the blossoms, being under blue skies, getting caught in the rain, and seeing the kids return to school for Term 4.

May it be a great time for you.

~ Sam

Flying VR 🌏 💉 💎 #19

17 Jan, 2017

Flying in VR, Stem Cell Developments & LinkedIn 2017

 

Hi,

 

Welcome to the 19th edition of this email. Did you know you can read all past editions in our archive?

 

The subject this time round is 2017 Success and I’ve included great links on Virtual Reality and stem cell developments.

 

_____

 

Fantastic 2017

 

Getting annual health checks in January has me feel soooo organised and glowing with satisfaction for the rest of the year.

 

“I did that in January!”

 

Let’s create that feeling for you with your LinkedIn profile:

 

1. Book 30 minutes in your diary in the next fortnight to polish your LinkedIn so it’s ready for the rest of the year.

 

2. In that 30 minutes either use these free tips or download our new, 2017 version of The Standout Professional’s LinkedIn workbook (see discount details below).

 

The new, 2017 version just left the maintenance sheds. Thankfully I had less updates to do than expected and really enjoyed the process of refining last year’s work.

 

We’ve also updated the price to $19 so more people can learn and if you use this discount code mylinkedinrocks in the next week it’s $10 and remember the bonus tips at the end. Thanks for being a reader 🙂

 

If you’ve already bought a copy, you’ll receive an email with an updated link so you can use the latest version.

 

As always, reply to let me know how you’re going. I’m keen to help.

 

 

This week’s favourite reads & listens:

 

  • Always wanted to fly? This VR suit excites the mind with possibilities. Learn more about it and VR/AR news here and remember the Voices of VR podcast – choose the topic you’re interested in and learn about Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality through your preferred lens.
  • Quickly get updated on stem cells. This is an especially great read if stem cells have sounded too complicated to date. Includes the latest developments from banking your children’s stem cells to stem cell transfusions. Amazing. It’s by Peter Diamandis who’s gathering a wonderful selection of futuristic topics on his blog – flick through and read a couple of topics that attract your eyes.
  • Ross Hill’s uplifting, new post on space: one of humanity’s next frontiers.
  • Interesting to see what’s being discussed at Davos today.
  • Especially insightful for Aussie women, this Ita Buttrose podcast with Mia Freedman showcases Ita as a successful, strong, disciplined female as well as being a fun and engaging review of how far we’ve come in the media industry. Refreshing.
  • What are you enjoying at the moment?

 

I wish you all a wonderful week. Press reply let’s chat  ????

 

Fly high online,

 

~ Sam
RunwayDigital.com

 

P.S. Another New Year’s tip is to unsubscribe from newsletters that are no longer WOWing you or those that sit in your inbox that never get read. Be ruthless and feel lighter from it! If you’re on gmail unrollme lists all your subscriptions and unsubscribes at the click of a button (I’ve just used it).

 

Pokemon Go 🎯 #6

19 Jul, 2016

Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life.

 

Hello!

Nintendo’s runaway success Pokemon Go arrived to smartphones last week and it’s an AMAZING example of what we’re about to integrate into work and life.

In case you’re disinterested because it sounds too much like playing a game or you’re weary from yet-another-new-digital-craze, get ready to be surprised by how your world is gaining…

…another DIMENSION.

Seriously.

First up, here’s what Pokemon Go looks like. It’s called “Augmented” Reality (AR) because the real imagery on your screen is overlaid with objects.

Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in lifePhoto credit: Techcrunch

Millions of people are using it… (but there’s more – keep scrolling down…)

Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life

Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life

This is the AMAZING bit (I’m hoping you can read this – if not, click here or zoom your screensize):
Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life

Even if you never use Pokemon Go you now know an Augmented Reality smartphone app brings about exercise, exploring, chance meetings, connections between people, and potentially reduced racism. WOW.

Essential reading (or listening)

Next, is understanding the unlimited opportunities that AR and Virtual Reality (VR) provide in health, efficiencies, quicker new products and services, easier learning, testing and risk-reduction, and so much more.

The best way to learn this is through reading or listening to this exceptional 32 minute podcast to understand the applications of VR in our day-to-day lives. I want to hear what you think too (hit reply).

Warning: This podcast will have you feeling you’re more prepared in business.

There are so many potential gains from AR and VR and increasingly new uses and outcomes are becoming clear.

As we integrate more technology into our lives, our life experiences are changed and enhanced. There will be advocates and critics.

My role here is in guiding you to see what’s coming.

Start to imagine what you could overlay on your current reality. What do you see?

Happy travels!

~ Sam
Runway Digital.com

 

P.S. Here are four quick AR examples:

Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life1. Life: AR app shows you the nearest train stations, updating as you move

Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life
2. Learning: Move the Sky Guide app across the sky and it displays constellation names as well as links the stars with lines and pictures.
Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life
3. Fashion: Retailers such as Burberry increasingly use AR for customers to experience other dimensions of their products instore, at home or on the go.
4. Innovation: Last year Hyundai launched a car owner’s manual in an AR app that includes videos and updates as you move around the vehicle.
Pokemon Go shows the next dimension in life

P.P.S. Here is more information and definitions of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR), and a wonderful local example of health benefits for elderly people via VR.

P.P.P.S. Want to know more about Pokemon Go? Get up to speed with these articles: “What is Pokemon Go & why is everyone talking about it?”, “I played the new Pokemon Go for iPhone/Android and it’s awesome” &“Pokemon Go Is a Glimpse of Our Augmented Reality Future”.

Here’s how Pokemon Go increased Nintendo’s worth in 2 days: