Weekly recap

Weekly Tech Recap - № 256 - AI and patents, Raspberry Pi camera, EOS Webcam Utility, Mavic Air 2, Microsoft Build

By Laurent Gloaguen,

May 1, 2020.

Patent not pending

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has ruled that only humans can be credited as an inventor in a patent, and artificial intelligence systems cannot. The decision came in response to two patents — one for a “fractal profile” food container and the other for a flashing light — that were created by an AI system called DABUS. The UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) have already ruled that DABUS, which was created by AI researcher Stephen Thaler, cannot be listed as an inventor. Unless the law changes in the future, artificial intelligence is likely to continue to be seen as an inventing tool, rather than an inventor. If humans can’t be listed as inventors when they aren’t directly involved in the inventive process, and AI can’t be listed as an inventor either, then future AI inventions could be non-patentable, ever.

⇨ The Verge, Jon Porter, “US patent office rules that artificial intelligence cannot be a legal inventor.”

New Raspberry Pi camera

Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera. © Raspberry Pi Foundation.

The Raspberry Pi foundation has launched a new camera module with a 12.3 megapixel Sony IMX477 sensor. Besides the high-quality sensor, the other nice thing about it is the ability to pair it with any off-the-shelf C- and CS-mount lenses, as well as just about any lens using an adapter. But the foundation is also offering a couple of options of its own, a 16 mm C-mount lens (CAD70) and a 6mm CCTV type CSmount lens (CAD40). It has a focus adjustment ring at the back of the lens, and a screw thread for tripod mount. The device is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models, except for some Pi Zeros. The high-quality camera is a considerable improvement on the 8MP V2 launched in 2016, and opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Available for preorder at CanaKit for CAD70, with shipping as of May 27.

⇨ YouTube, “NEW Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera.”

⇨ Raspberry Pi Blog, Simon Martin, “New product: Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera on sale now at $50.”

Your camera as a webcam

Now that webcams can’t be had for love nor money due to the worldwide shift to teleworking, Canon has launched a free utility (only available for Windows 10 for the moment) that lets you plug in just about any Canon camera to your PC over USB to use it as a high-end webcam. The application is compatible with most recent EOS, EOS Rebel, EOS M, EOS R/RP cameras, and with the PowerShot G5X Mark II/III and SX70 HS. It should give you an image quality to put all your fellow teleconferencers to shame. And if you’re using the EOS-1D X Mark III, you’ll have a luxury webcam for just CAD10,000. Download here.

⇨ YouTube, “Canon Video Conferencing Solution – EOS Webcam Utility Beta Software.”

⇨ The Verge, Chris Welch, “Canon now lets you use its cameras as a webcam with amazing video quality.”

Mavic Air 2

DJI has launched its second-generation light drone, the Mavic Air 2. The device, which weighs 570g, has been redesigned with new motors, improved aerodynamics and “advanced” battery technology for a maximum flight time of 34 minutes. Thanks to the OcuSync 2.0 HD feed transmission technology, you can control the drone from up to 10km away. The Mavic Air 2 is also the first consumer drone equipped with AirSense, an alert system that detects and alerts the operator of the presence of nearby aircraft. It also comes with front and back obstacle sensors to avoid collisions, as well as ground sensors next to the auxiliary lights for landing in low-light conditions. With an 18Mpx image sensor, it can make 4K/60p videos at 120 Mb/s (H.265 codec), which is pretty impressive for a consumer machine. At USD800, the Mavic Air 2 comes with a battery, a remote control and all the cables. The Fly More option, for USD200 extra, also gets you a shoulder bag, a set of ND filters, a second set of blades, a charger and two extra batteries. Available for preorder as of today on DJI’s web site, with shipping in a couple of weeks.

⇨ Digital Photography Review, Kara Murphy, “Review: The DJI Mavic Air 2 is the best all-around drone for most people.”

Microsoft Build a go, free, and virtual

Microsoft Build 2020 is not cancelled, it’s just different. For one thing, it’s entirely online, and for another, it’s entirely free (a CAD$3,300 savings!). the event will cover and cater to all time zones, streaming free content and events continuously over a 48-hour period. The keynote-style openings, announcements and speeches will be shorter, leaving more time for Q&A sessions and workshops (held on Twitch). Even so, you can still expect to see appearances by Satya Nadella, Scott Hanselman, Julia White, Scott Guthrie, Panos Panay, Kevin Scott, Rajesh Jha, Mark Russinovich, and many more. Build will take place between May 19th (11am ET) and 21st. Microsoft may even send attendees a care package, if this snippet of the registration process is anything to go by: “please provide the shipping information of where you will be accepting deliveries in May.”

⇨ The Verge, Tom Warren, “Microsoft Build goes free, virtual, and more developer-focused for 2020.”