AI
- Facebook AI:
- major updates to their open-source LLM model llama 3.1 and
- released the S egment Anything Model 2 (SAM2) .
- Runway ML launched Gen-3 Alpha Image to Video and it’s incredible
- ChatGPT finally started rolling out
- advanced voice mode (preview only)
- AI search feature (preview only)
Gadgets and Gizmos
July was a bad month to work on my gadget addiction:
- AI assistant hardware:
- pre-ordered a wearable friend (that’s the actual name!)
- pre-ordered limitless pendant
- Sparkling Water: They got me with the Amazon Prime Day deal on the SodaStream Enso (~$160). I am impressed at how easy it is to use and the fact that it doesn’t require any power or cables.
- Stud finders: Finding studs in ceilings and walls continues to be my least favorite part of my home projects. I got the Walabot DIY 2 which uses radar scanning to see through the walls. It’s cool, but the jury is still out on whether it is any more accurate than my Franklin Sensor M210 ($60) which I got earlier this year and love. I also finally added an awl to my stud-finding toolkit.
- Charging devices: Added Anker 15W wireless charger to desk ($46). I wonder if anyone other than Matt Mullenweg thinks about charging apparatuses as much as I do.
If you read this far I’d be remiss to not point you to my earlier post about 2024 travel gadgets I like. If you can recommend any must-have gadgets, please leave a comment.
FWIW
- I finally got around to trying Cursor (AI Code editor) this weekend and it’s incredible. If you dabble in coding at all, it’s a must-try. On the same vein, make sure to try out Claude Engineer , too.
- Apple is rumored to have their 4th gen regular Airpods come out by the end of 2024, and I can’t wait to check the last lightning cable device off my list.