DIGITAL LIFE

Technologies that stood out in 2024

Sora, by OpenAI...OpenAI, developer of ChatGPT, officially launched Sora, its artificial intelligence video generation tool, this December. The model is capable of generating moving images from textual descriptions, allowing the creation of high-definition videos based on scenes requested by the user. To use Sora, you must be a subscriber to the ChatGPT Plus or Pro plans.

“o1” or “Strawberry”, by OpenAI...In September, OpenAI announced the launch of “o1” or “Strawberry”, an advanced language model designed to improve reasoning and complex problem-solving skills. The new technology can “reason” about complex tasks and solve problems in subjects such as science, programming or mathematics.

Meta AI, by Meta...Meta, Mark Zuckerberg's company, started making Meta AI available in Brazil this year, a virtual assistant to help users with various tasks, such as conducting searches, answering questions, suggesting actions and even generating images from descriptions. Meta AI is present in the WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger apps, represented by a blue and pink circle.

Gemini 2.0, from Google...Google has stepped up its bets on Gemini, its artificial intelligence assistant, capable of generating texts, translating languages ​​and answering questions. This month, the big tech company introduced Gemini 2.0, with faster response times and new features, such as the ability to understand and generate text, code, audio and even video. It is also capable of performing more complex tasks, such as solving mathematical problems, writing computer codes and creating action plans. In addition, it has the concept of AI agents, which are autonomous systems capable of performing tasks on behalf of the user, such as searching the internet and booking flights.

ChatGPT Search, from OpenAI...At the end of October, OpenAI announced the launch of ChatGPT Search, a tool that connects ChatGPT to the web in real time, and which could start competing with Google. Initially released only to subscribers, the modality is now available to all users. ChatGPT will automatically decide whether to search the internet based on what the user asks. It is also possible to choose to search manually by clicking on the new web search icon.

Apple Intelligence, by Apple...Apple announced the launch of Apple Intelligence, a personal assistant integrated into iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Among the functions are the ability to rewrite texts, create summaries, transcribe audio and even edit images. However, the tool is not expected to arrive in Brazil, with support for the Portuguese language, until 2025.

Vision Pro, by Apple...Earlier this year, Apple launched the long-awaited Vision Pro, an augmented reality headset with an infinite screen, in a bet by the company for spatial computing. The proposal is that the entire user experience can be controlled by the eyes, hands and voice, without the need for a second device. The product, however, began to face slower demand, due to its price – US$ 3.5 thousand (approximately R$ 21.3 thousand, at the current exchange rate) – and weight. With that, Apple has reportedly suspended work on its next high-end Vision Pro and is reportedly working on launching a more affordable headset with fewer features.

Orion, by Meta... This year, Meta introduced its new augmented reality glasses, called Orion. They look like regular glasses, with thicker lenses, but feature graphical interfaces, with hologram images and virtual windows. In addition to voice commands, the 70-gram device can be controlled by the user through a neural interface, with a wristband that is connected to the device. During its annual developer conference, the company also announced a more affordable line of its virtual reality headsets, the Meta Quest 3s, and new AI features and functions such as real-time translation of the Ray-Ban Meta.

Copilot, by Microsoft... This year, Microsoft added new features to its artificial intelligence tool, Copilot. The company added features such as Copilot Voice, which allows for more natural verbal interactions, and Copilot Vision, a tool that can "see" the websites that the user accesses in the Edge browser.

Transcription tool on WhatsApp... Who has never received an audio message on WhatsApp that could have been a text message? Or had to find a quiet place to listen to a message? Since November, the messaging app has offered the audio transcription feature. The company claims that the transcription is done on the user's own device, which ensures that the messages and text content remain encrypted. "This means that no one else, not even WhatsApp, can see, listen to or read your messages," the platform said in a statement.

Samsung's Galaxy Ring... In January, when it introduced the new Galaxy S24 smartphone, Samsung gave a quick hint of its next venture: a "smart ring", called Galaxy Ring. The intention is to attract health-conscious consumers, since the ring is capable of measuring several metrics, such as body temperature, heart rate, sleep patterns and exercise volume. After seven days of use, alerts will be generated for the user using algorithms and artificial intelligence. The product began to be sold in Brazil in October.

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