YouTube, Mr Bean
Welcome to your Monday. We have wrapped up our coverage of MWC (all things mobile) as well as GDC (all things gaming) over the weekend, played laser tag with a smartphone, and learned that you can screw up an anti-harassment bot with typos. The big events aren't over, either: SXSW kicks off later this week. We'll be there.
AI continued its world domination at Mobile World Congress
It was hard to ignore the normalization of artificial intelligence at this year's MWC. When it comes to the intersection of smartphones and AI, Motorola had the most surprising news at the show. In case you missed it, Motorola is working with Amazon (and Harman Kardon, most likely) to build a Moto Mod that will make use of Alexa. But it was certainly not the only company tapping AI for new features -- and headlines.
The game is trash
Maybe you'll litter less.
Play laser tag in the real world with this smartphone attachment
Laser tag is fun, but in order to do so, you have to go to a special venue, get specialized equipment and basically block off the entire day. With the Inceptor, however, you don't have to. This little accessory combined with a game called Father.io essentially changes any smartphone into a mobile laser tag machine, without the need for a plastic toy gun attachment.
The cyberpunk revolution begins with video games
The GDC showcases the latest projects from studios around the world, offering a first-hand look at the themes and trends driving the industry forward. This year? It's all about cyberpunk. Walking among the flashy, flickering and noisy booths and all the surrounding events, the pattern becomes clear -- a significant portion of these games have a strong sci-fi vibe, many of them dealing with the idea of futuristic corporate overreach and gritty technological espionage, reflecting the times we live in.
But wait, there's more...
- Typos are kryptonite to Alphabet's anti-trolling API
- Facebook tests out a dislike button
- Here's what happened at GDC 2017