In this episode we discuss how (typically niche) video content creators are adapting to the thirst for consuming their (high quality) content, but have traditionally found it harder to earn money to do it. How is this affecting the consumer, the creator, and the platform? Further reading:

• YouTube: Mid-year Update on Our Five Creator Priorities for 2018
• Social impact of YouTube
• NYTimes: How the Internet Is Saving Culture, Not Killing It
• Wired: YouTube's Latest Shake-Up Is Bigger Than Just Ads

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

We recently got the opportunity to go hands-on with an Oculus Rift, complete with Oculus Touch controllers and two sensors. In this episode we discuss our thoughts and impressions, and what we think is in store for the future.

• Oculus Rift
• HTC Vive
• Playstation VR
• Apple ARKit
• Google Daydream
• Games we played:
  • Elite: Dangerous
  • Robo Recall
  • The Climb
  • Superhot
  • Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
• Neuralink and the Brain’s Magical Future
• Mixed Reality with Microsoft HoloLens

We discuss how lives are becoming more internet connected, the history and hype around ‘smart homes’, and generally demystify the Internet of Things. Further reading:

• X10 Protocol
• Sustainable Smart Home and Home Automation: Big Data Analytics Approach
• Connected homes will take longer to materialise than expected
• Here's What TfL Learned From Tracking Your Phone On the Tube

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

Jalada and Sefran discuss voice-activated home assistants. We have a chat about what they are, how they work, and where we think the technology is going in the future.

• The two main devices we talk about are Amazon Echo* and Google Home.
• We also reference Apple Siri and Google Assistant.
• For more information about why understanding speech is hard for computers, read about "AI-complete" problems.
• We almost forgot to mention Microsoft Cortana.
• Amazon Echo can be used to control Nest and Tado thermostats.
• Sefran pointed out that banks like HSBC and First Direct already use voice pattern detection.

Intro & outro music: JACKS - Runaway Fashion *Links are affiliate links. Proceeds go towards helping out OctalFM.