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In today’s email:

1. ChatGPT can now speak—and see

2. Meta's new Ray-Ban smart glasses

3. more of SBF’s fraud trial which started Yesterday.

4. What is Fujifilm Instax Pal

5. X leader Linda Yaccarino’s not-so-chill interview

ChatGPT can now speak—and see

Ever thought of striking up a romance with an AI assistant, Surely, it can be frustrating when the only conversation topics available are limited to discussing the weather and setting a 10-minute timer."

That’s about to change, because OpenAI revealed an update to ChatGPT last week that enables it to respond to your questions with spoken words, resulting in two-way conversations that are far more complex than the cocktail party small talk offered by Alexa and Siri.

What differentiates chatty ChatGPT from existing voice assistants?

• ChatGPT is based on a large language model (an algorithm trained on vast amounts of data), allowing it to have a free-flowing, seemingly inexhaustible dialogue with its human prompter.

• Meanwhile, digital assistants like Alexa and Siri have only been programmed with responses to a narrow set of questions. Amazon and Apple are racing to infuse large language models into their products, but OpenAI beat them to the punch.

ChatGPT has another edge on the competition because its voices (five in total) sound much more like people than existing digital assistants, which are very clearly robots.

When can you start using this? The voice feature is rolling out to ChatGPT Plus customers (Ksh2500/month) in the next two weeks and will be accessible to everyone else “soon after,” OpenAI said.

Oh, another update to ChatGPT: Along with giving ChatGPT the speech capabilities of a Disney animal, OpenAI also enabled the chatbot to respond to images you show it. So, in a use case that would be totally beneath our readers, you could theoretically take a picture of your math homework and have ChatGPT solve it for you.

Other major AI headlines

You will be able to listen to Amerix rant about Masculinity in Kikuyu. Spotify said it’s using tech from OpenAI to translate podcasts into different languages—and in the host’s voice. It will be limited to select podcasters, episodes, and languages for now, but Spotify expects to make the feature more accessible in the future.

Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses

Last week Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta's Ray-Ban at the Connect conference, showcasing a versatile array of features. These stylish smart glasses enable users to capture photos and videos, enjoy music, make calls, and interact with virtual assistants seamlessly. While resembling standard Ray-Ban frames, they discreetly integrate small cameras, microphones, speakers, and touch controls.

The glasses have a high-resolution camera and multiple microphones, so you can take clear photos and videos of your life, and even live stream to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Users can keep in touch with others through messages and calls without having to take their phones out of their pockets.

The glasses also provide a feature of using voice commands and Meta AI to get information and control features, all without having to take your phone out of your pocket.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are compatible with smartphones running Android or iOS, with wireless internet access and account registration. However, they are not compatible with all smartphones.

They come in different styles and colors, and you can customize them with prescription lenses or polarized options. Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses are a fun and fashionable way to capture and share your moments.

The smart glasses start at Ksh44,000 and will be available for purchase online and in retail stores starting October 17 in select countries.

Also from Meta

Meta is introducing AI chatbots featuring celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kendall Jenner, and Naomi Osaka. Mark Zuckerberg announced this at the Connect conference, part of Meta's annual event. These chatbots will have unique interests and offer personalized advice to enhance user interactions. Meta plans to launch over 28 beta AI chatbots, with celebrities taking on roles like Snoop Dogg as 'Dungeon Master,' Dwyane Wade as 'Victor' for workouts, Naomi Osaka as 'Tamika' for anime enthusiasts, and Kendall Jenner as 'Billie,' a supportive companion.

SBF’s fraud trial started Yesterday—here’s what to know

The criminal trial of the crypto industry’s poster-boy-turned-pariah began in New York City yesterday, and its outcome could help shape the future of digital currency.

Sam Bankman-Fried, once a titan in the crypto world due to his roles at FTX exchange and Alameda Research, experienced a dramatic fall from grace in November 2022. His empire unraveled as FTX users rapidly withdrew their investments, leading him to file for bankruptcy for FTX, its U.S. operations, and Alameda Research.

This reversal of fortune is striking considering Bankman-Fried's previous reputation as a modern-day financial savior who had rescued troubled crypto firms. With a background in physics from MIT and experience trading ETFs at a quant firm, he transitioned to crypto trading in late 2017. In 2019, he launched FTX, which swiftly became a prominent exchange for crypto derivatives, garnering a combined valuation of $40 billion for FTX and its U.S. operations in early 2022. At his peak, his wealth was estimated at around $26.5 billion, primarily attributed to his ownership of approximately half of FTX and a stake in its FTT tokens.

However, amidst this financial turmoil, he faced not only bankruptcy but also serious legal troubles. Federal prosecutors accused him of using the now-bankrupt FTX to embezzle billions of dollars from customers and investors. They alleged that he diverted these funds partly for real estate acquisitions and to offset losses at his risky crypto trading firm, Alameda Research. All the while, he portrayed FTX. If convicted on all counts, SBF could get 110 years in prison.

Learn also about The dark story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos

Fujifilm Instax Pal

Just capture the moment with a camera the size of your palm. Meet the Fujifilm Instax Pal camera, the latest addition to the INSTAX series. Designed for ultimate portability, it easily slips into your pocket or rests comfortably in your hand. With a 4.9-megapixel camera and a wide-angle lens, it guarantees sharp photos in any lighting condition. Get ready to seize memories like never before with this cutting-edge marvel.

The Instax Pal, unlike traditional instant cameras, takes digital photos. The Pal doesn't have any built-in storage, so you'll need to pair it with your smartphone using the Instax Pal smartphone app. Once you're connected, you can use the app to view and download your photos, as well as edit them. To print your photos instantly, you will need an Instax Mini printer, such as the Instax Mini Link 2.

The Instax Pal bundle, which includes a camera, printer, app, and Instax Mini film, costs Ksh 30,00.

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X leader Linda Yaccarino’s not-so-chill interview

During Vox's Code Conference, X CEO Linda Yaccarino's appearance with CNBC correspondent Julia Boorstin raised eyebrows. Yaccarino appeared unprepared about her own company, which she has led since June. This came after former Twitter exec Yoel Roth criticized Elon Musk on the same stage earlier.

Yaccarino mentioned X's expected profitability by early 2024 and the return of 90% of major advertisers. However, she stumbled when asked for specifics, including daily active user counts and Musk's potential monthly fee plan for X users. Despite her apparent discomfort, she defended her role as CEO, emphasizing the presence of Elon Musk as a key figure at X. Watch the video and learn what not to do in an interview. Here is the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYymRU-bfpQ

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