As the holiday season approaches
holiday season gift-giving is at the forefront of our minds. Yet, I must admit that, like many, I’ve fallen prey to the procrastination bug this year. However, there’s a silver lining—I’ve taken the time to craft an AI-themed gift guide for TechCrunch. A peculiar twist, isn’t it?
This gift guide venture was born out of my curiosity about AI’s role in making our lives more enjoyable and efficient in 2023. As a seasoned observer of AI and machine learning, I approached this task with a healthy dose of skepticism. Would AI truly offer gifts worth giving? To my surprise, I found a selection of AI-powered products that not only break through the cynicism but also offer genuine time-saving, productivity-boosting, and entertaining features.
Within this collection, I’ve curated a diverse range of items, spanning from playful gadgets to skincare and even board games. The common thread is their ability to showcase the delightful and practical side of AI, leaving behind the potentially intrusive applications, such as surveillance.
1. The Obsbot Tiny PTZ 4K Webcam – Keeping You Centered in a Remote World
In the era of remote work, having a dependable webcam is essential. The Obsbot Tiny PTZ 4K webcam, priced at $239, distinguishes itself with AI-driven face-tracking capabilities. This little marvel automatically adjusts to ensure you remain the focal point during video calls, regardless of your movements. Not stopping there, it offers 4K video quality and 60fps at 1080p, along with recognizing hand gestures for quick shortcuts for holiday season.
2. Smart Four: The AI-Enhanced Board Game – A Battle of Wits
Holiday season Gift-giving knows no age boundaries, and games hold a special place in our hearts. Meet Smart Four, a 3D AI-powered four-in-a-row board game by Giiker. When a human opponent is scarce, Smart Four’s AI steps in, offering three levels of difficulty. What sets it apart is the built-in “referee” system, ensuring that every move is recorded, keeping players on track. Giiker asserts that this game fosters cognitive skill development, including spatial thinking, pattern recognition, and strategic planning. Regardless of its skill-enhancing attributes, it promises screen-free amusement, making it perfect for lengthy car journeys and quality bonding time.
3. Arccos Caddie: Elevating Golf with AI Insights
Golfers, too, are embracing technology to refine their game, whether through mobile swing recording apps or clubs equipped with force-measuring sensors. Arccos Caddie is a sophisticated addition to this spectrum, featuring an AI-powered rangefinder that dynamically adjusts for variables like wind, elevation, altitude, and temperature humidity. But this device doesn’t stop at rangefinding; it offers “strokes gained analytics,” offering insights into your swing’s strengths and weaknesses. All of this is orchestrated through a subscription-based mobile app that also supports the Apple Watch. The Arccos Caddie provides automatic shot tracking, holiday season strategic recommendations, and precise club selection. It’s worth noting that the initial purchase includes a one-year subscription to the mobile app, with additional fees applicable thereafter.
4. Moxie Robot: An AI Companion for Young Minds
Dolls have been a source of fascination for holiday season children for generations. Contemporary attempts to revamp this timeless toy have produced mixed results. However, Moxie, developed by Embodied, a California-based startup led by a former NASA scientist, Paolo Pirjanian, has achieved notable success. Moxie engages children on a profound level, thanks to an array of sensors and AI. It’s not merely a doll; it’s a conversational partner. Children can indulge in “play-based” conversations with Moxie, discussing their interests. Alternatively, they can explore a library of games, missions, and lessons, covering topics such as recognizing positive emotions, expressing kindness, making friends, and understanding social cues. While the open-ended nature of these dialogues raises concerns about inappropriate content, Embodied has a solution called KidFilter, which screens out unsuitable content for children. Embodied claims that internal research has shown a 71% improvement in children’s social skills who interacted with Moxie. While internal research should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s an intriguing statistic.
