The Motorola Atrix HD, Motorola Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR M

The statement that “human-level artificial intelligence is the last invention mankind need ever make” has been much bandied about of late. It implies that once we have invented something as smart as ourselves, it can take over and start making the inventions itself. The concept is most often pronounced by a computer scientists speaking from a podium and resembling nothing so much as a medieval cleric handing down divine scripture from above. The date of this so called “singularity event” is assumed to take place in the distant future, but as researchers at Tufts University revealed this week, we may be perilously close to that date already.
The study in question used an artificial intelligence system to reverse engineer the regenerative biology of planarian worms, in what is arguably one of the first examples of “robots” making discoveries where their human counterparts left off.
Biological systems like the planarian worm are in some ways ideal targets for machine intelligence research, precisely because they are so devilishly complex. One has only to glance at the cellular models in question to gain an appreciation for the layers of complexity that comprise something as seemingly simple as the planarian worm. Teasing out all the interactions in such systems has been giving biologists gray hair since before Darwin’s time, and for good reason — humans were not evolved to be good at keeping track of twenty or more symbolic elements, each modifying and being modified by other elements in the same hypothetical system. That kind of activity has very little to do with running a gazelle down on the evolutionary savannah in which we took shape. Our brain children, on the other hand, the so-called deep learning artificial intelligence algorithms, are very good at these activities.
And so it was at Tufts University last week, where an evolutionary algorithm successfully unraveled the mysteries of the planarian worm’s regenerative biology. To gain a feel for the science behind this, it helps to understand the difficulty biologists have been facing in regards to worm regeneration. In fields like systems biology, there is often a large gap between an observed biological phenomenon and the component parts like DNA and RNA which build up to the trait in question. What is missing is what happens in between. It is relatively simple to identify the various molecules that must be involved, but understanding how they progress from their components to the observed “phenotype” is, more often than not, a black hole. In many cases there are simply too many possible paths leading from the primary components to the end product. The task of following up every permutation and combination that could lead to the trait would take weeks if not years, at least for a human intelligence.
It turns out that the genius of the Tufts team was in posing the question in such a way that their evolutionary algorithm could loop through thousands of possible cellular permutations to discover the exact combination that would produce the biology of the worm. This marks a big win for both the fields of regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence. However, the day when algorithms starts posing their own research questions and preferring these to the mysteries of worm biology may prove a little more unsettling.

Do you love to learn? Then you should take a look at this massive sale happening over at Udemy. Thousands of online courses are being discounted to just $10 a pop, so you can take multiple courses even if you’re on a budget. Whether you need to learn how to design logos or how to speak Arabic, there’s something for nigh-on every area of interest.

• $10 courses at Udemy (Coupon code: SAIL010)

If you’re trying to break into the world of web development, consider taking the complete web developer’s course by Rob Percival. Even if you’ve never made a website before, this class will run you through the entire development process. And if you just need to knock some of the rust off of your dev skills, this is 10 bucks well spent.
More interested in staking a claim in the smart watch market? Rob Percival also has a program called the complete Apple Watch developer course. Spend $10 on that class, and you’ll learn how to develop apps for Apple’s latest major platform. With such massive coverage of the Apple Watch, there’s bound to be some serious money to be made here for third-party developers.
Normally, these courses are much more expensive. In fact, some of these cost upwards of $500 without this sale, so you can save up to 98% off the original asking price. Just use the coupon code “SUMMER1001” during checkout, and you’ll only pay $10 per course. This sale ends at 11:59 PT on May 30th, 2015, so don’t hesitate. This is a great opportunity for self improvement — don’t let it slip away.

When the iPad was released in the spring of 2010, many people didn’t know what to make of it. Some would point to my iPad and ask: Why do I need a giant iPod touch? Or, why can’t I see more than one app on this big screen? These questions faded away as the usefulness of the iPad became clearer in the months that followed.
That said, the iPad didn’t work like a “real” desktop computer, and nowhere was that more evident than in its lack of multitasking. Every now and then, some developer would scratch the itch of wanting to see two different things on the iPad’s display at the same time. One that caught my eye back in 2012 was Tapose, a then-$2.99 app (now priced at $9.99) that let an iPad user see two window panes. One pane generally was for the main journal editor, while the second window pane contained a browser, map, or some simple tool like a calculator to use as a reference when creating a journal entry. That app’s developer wasn’t allowed to touch the iPad’s operating system to let it work with other apps, though.
That brings us to today. Apple doesn’t have the restrictions Tapose’s developers did, naturally, and announced this week at WWDC 2015 that iOS 9 will let iPad users display two apps side-by-side. A swiping gesture Apple refers to as Slide Over lets you slide in one of the built-in Apple apps into a second window pane while keeping Safari in a larger window. The gesture and effect is reminiscent of Microsoft’s Windows 8 split-paned window view which, quite honestly, I could never use effectively, because I could never remember which app it would bring into the second window pane. Apple’s pull-down gesture, however, lets you easily see which other apps can be brought into this Slide Over view alongside the Safari Web browser. In Slide Over mode, the Safari browser is inactive while the second app is used in the second pane.

There’s a second split-screen mode Apple calls Split View on an iPad that is activated by tapping on the divider between two apps. It lets two apps be active at the same time on a single screen. And, the two screens can interact. Apple’s examples involved tapping on links in the Notepad app that appeared in the Safari pane, as well as tapping on a location that appeared in the Maps app.
Then there’s Picture-in-Picture, which lets you conduct a FaceTime call in one small window that overlaps another app you’re using in a larger second window. It looks much like the picture-in-picture feature you may have used on a TV set. While Apple’s own apps will support multitasking when iOS 9 is released later this year, third-party app developers will need to add support for multitasking in their own apps.
Apple says you can upgrade any device currently running iOS 8 to iOS 9. But these new multitasking features will only work on relatively recently released iPad models. Slide Over and Picture-in-Picture will work on an iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad air, or iPad air 2. But the dual-pane multitasking Split View will only work with the iPad air 2 and, presumably, whatever new iPad Apple introduces later this year. If you’re running an older model iPad like me, you’ll need to start saving your nickels and dimes for a newer model if you want to multitask in iOS 9.

First, do you want a watch?
Second, do you want a digital wearable device you can use to transform your life, pay for coffee, live healthier, and make the rest of the world think you're actually paying more attention than you really are?
If the second question is more important to you, then you're probably going to be disappointed with the Apple Watch.
Unless you're an extreme Apple-focused tech geek, that is -- willing to bend your life and expectations to what the Apple Watch does, and then to get really good at appreciating the Apple Watch for what it is, rather than swearing at it in public for what it clearly is not.

Phase 1: Frustration

Confused yet? Don't worry. If you're like me -- a guy who waited in line for the first Apple iPhone and has used Apple products for his entire adult life -- you're going to be scratching your head a few times during your first week with the Apple Watch. And once you buy one, you'll need to plan on spending some quality time learning how to use it.
Here's one simple example. At least a few times per day, I tend to expect and look for a particular email message -- it's just part of my job. I find it quite handy to be able to look at incoming mail messages on my Apple Watch. Yet when I want this ability, I'm often using my hands to do something else, like making a sandwich or walking down the street carrying something in one hand. So pressing the Digital Crown then tapping the Mail icon is not an option. Instead, I'll use Siri, saying, "Hey Siri, show me my mail."
Which gives me a maddening response: "I can search your mail on your iPhone... just use Handoff." There's a button that tells you what Handoff is, which lets you start a task on one device and continue with it on the iPhone. So if I use the phrase above, if I want to see my mail, I have to pull out my iPhone and use Handoff to let Siri show me a list of new mail on my iPhone. That works pretty well, but the point was not pulling out my iPhone!
What I really want to do is ask Siri to "launch mail." If you ask Siri to launch mail, Siri does the intended thing and launches Mail. Perfect. Except when there is some background noise and Siri thinks you said, "launch map," in which case the Map app will launch, slowly loading to show you where you are in the world. At this point in your Apple Watch education, passersby will look at you and wonder why you're suddenly swearing at your wrist.
There are dozens of little nuances to using your Apple Watch that are similar to this -- figuring out what causes a particular chime or type of vibration... and when and why. Fortunately, there are hundreds or thousands of articles online about all of these things, plus a lot of Apple's own documentation and video. The point is, pretty much everyone who has not already purchased an Apple Watch will find themselves confused at some point.
Don't let that confusion -- and a feeling of buyer's remorse -- win the day. Why? On the other side, if you're like me, you'll slowly begin to appreciate your Apple Watch... for being a watch.

Learning to Love the Apple Watch

First and foremost, before you buy an Apple Watch, you need to be damn sure that you're ready to wear a watch again. I hadn't worn a watch for any serious amount of time in the last eight years. At first, I was annoyed at how it banged on the counter, on my MacBook, on the insides of the coffee pot while cleaning it. You'll have this problem with any watch, and you'll get over it.
Next, you've probably already spent far too many brain cycles trying to figure out which model you want with which band. If the Apple Watch is really about looks to you -- really all about having a fashion accessory -- then by all means, pick the model you want and get on with it. You can't really go wrong, because the Apple Watch is seriously well-made. The precision for a US$400 smartwatch is truly great.
On the flip side, my 42mm Apple Watch Sport with the space gray aluminum case and black sport band flies under the radar. It's not flashy, and most people don't notice it or pay any attention to it when I'm out and about in public.
You can buy other bands for the Apple Watch, of course, to change the look and feel to make it more appropriate for different occasions if you so desire. As for Apple's Sport Band, I must say, the fluoroelastomer band is astoundingly comfortable. Apple went to great lengths to create a watch system that is customizable through bands and materials in order to let us make it more personal. Plus, we'll be able to buy new third-party bands to make it even better and more versatile.
For me, though, the Apple Watch look is just OK. I don't find my Apple Watch particularly inspiring or see it as a reflection or modifier of my personality. For starters, 42mm is too small. I'd much prefer a larger watch face with a form factor that was slightly thicker to accommodate a bigger battery.
And round. I'd rather have a round watch, something that looks far more robust and masculine. Just saying. But Apple builds for the masses, not necessarily for guys like me. Plus, for outdoor activities, I'm going to need some sort of bumper case to protect the rounded glass edges. No way I'll trust the Apple Watch's edges as I'm scrambling around rocks.
Then there are the watch faces, which you can configure by adding additional details, like the date, weather, battery life, or your activity data. Unfortunately, to conserve battery, the watch faces are not lit up unless you activate your Apple Watch. So most of the time your Apple Watch face is a flat black and shiny rectangle. At first I was irritated that I could not just glance at my Apple Watch and see the glorious watch face and note the time -- but I got over that. Instead, I raise my wrist and the face lights up.
How well does that work? Surprisingly well. It's pretty smart, actually, but not foolproof. For instance, I can whip my wrists into a frenzy while tying my shoes and the face won't light up. It's not confused. But when I drive with my left hand on top of the steering wheel and make a right turn, boom, the watch face lights up.

Usability for Different Kinds of People

The problem with the Apple Watch is that it's mostly good for most people for most things -- but diehard Apple fans tend to want Apple to produce a product that's right for them. Here's one example: If you're a swimmer, for instance, you're not going to be able to track your workouts because the Apple Watch isn't waterproof enough to handle it. You would need a different watch, like say, the Garmin Swim. Trouble is, the Garmin Swim doesn't have all the other Apple goodness you want. So no lap counting with your Apple Watch for you.
For me, the Workout and Activity apps will be forever only marginally useful. Why? My major workouts come from playing pickup basketball games where I don't wear a watch. I could secure the Apple Watch with athletic tape or cover it with a wrist band, but that's not going to happen.
I can still use the activity tracking to figure out my non-workout activity... and maybe use the Apple Watch as a catalyst to be a bit more active. If you're mostly sedentary, the Apple Watch could certainly help you become more active.
I was irritated by my positive reaction to receiving an alert that told me I had achieved my stand goal for the day -- wahoo! Are you kidding me? I'm a grown man who experienced a slight sense of satisfaction at being praised by a damn watch. That experience leads me to believe that the Apple Watch could be effective for health apps and workouts for people who really need the assistance -- positive reminders and workout tracking.

Connecting to Others

One of the coolest features of the Apple Watch is the ability to communicate in new ways. For instance, you can draw a picture on your Apple Watch and send it to a contact. Or send your heartbeat to a contact. The trouble is, you can only do this with people who also have Apple Watches. Why can't I send a heartbeat to an iPhone owner? That's a natural question. I hope Apple creates that ability or lets other apps do it.
So for now, the Apple Watch is a closed community for one of its most innovative features. That's mildly disappointing.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch lets me text message others super easily -- since "OK" is one of my most common text responses, I'm far less likely to ignore incoming texts and get back to people more quickly.
Which brings me to what I like best about my Apple Watch: I can use it to filter out not-so important messages and calls... but I know when something truly important comes through that I need to answer or address. That is handy. Now, a natural question arises -- is it $400 worth of handy?
I'm not so sure using your Apple Watch as a filter is worth $400 -- at least, not for me personally.

But Wait, There Is So Much More!

Of course, there are many more apps on an Apple Watch. For instance, Maps. It's handy for keeping track of where you are in a city, but is it game changing? I don't know. How often will you need turn-by-turn directions on your wrist? A tap to go left or right? I'm guessing not often for most people -- but it could be amazing for some.
One app I like is Remote, which lets me swipe to control my Apple TV. Nice. I'm guessing the navigation is a bit of a preview for a new remote for the rumored next Apple TV. Either way, as I sat down on the couch -- with a sandwich -- and realized that the tiny Apple TV remote had disappeared, I didn't have to go hunting for it. I could use my Apple Watch!
But again, is that feature worth $400?
The point is, the Apple Watch is first and foremost just a fancy digital watch. Do you want something like that? Do you want a watch that's handy, sometimes cool, and occasionally downright pleasing?
If you do, great. The Apple Watch might be for you. If you're banking on the Apple Watch to change your life, though, to make it better in any significant, critically important way, odds are, it's not going to do that.
Instead, the Apple Watch has the potential to make dozens of tiny little improvements here or there, none of which will likely change your life in ways that you couldn't accomplish with an iPhone or a bit of willpower or a habit-building technique.
So unless you're buying for fashion, I believe that for most people, buying the Apple Watch is more about a willingness to wear a watch once again -- and maybe improve your life in small ways. Just remember that the Apple Watch is not about what you need. None of the features are so critically important that they can justify a purchase. This what people do -- how careful thinkers and fence sitters buy. They consider the features, try to figure out the benefits, try to imagine their future with the purchase, and divine whether the benefits will outweigh the costs.