On one hand, it allows me to pay my bills and enjoy the more entertaining things in life. On the other hand, I really don’t like how controlling technology can be. It has most people by the throats, whether most want to admit it or not. But now I want to shift to the topic at hand today. Given the vast variety of technological devices that exist in this world today, there are some I could go without and others that I would be lost without.

Couldn’t Live Without: Computers

Well, this one’s fairly obvious for me. Computer technology allows my bills to be paid, which is fairly important (just a little bit). Without it, my career and line of work would be totally altered. Then again, thousands (millions, actually) of people can relate to that. Past that fact, the access to the internet is also something I couldn’t live without. The ability to have information at your fingertips whenever you need it is an amazing feeling, after all.

Could Live Without: My Smartphone

I’ve spoken about my somewhat hatred toward smartphones in the past. Without question, I could live without mine. I don’t even like being on the darn thing. As someone who was without a phone for many years of his life, I can say that it’s nice to have for reliability reasons. People can always get a hold of you and vice versa. Overall, though, I could live using Facebook and other social media networking sites to get the job done.

Couldn’t Live Without: Video Game Consoles

If you’ve read any of my posts, you know that this one is a given. Specifically, I couldn’t live without Nintendo consoles in my life. From the SNES to the Switch, video games are a primary component of entertainment in my life. I honestly couldn’t imagine living life without playing video games.

Could Live Without: Streaming Devices

I’m including any device out there that can stream TV shows or movies (whether live or not). From actual cable boxes to streaming brands such as Roku, I could live without all of them. In fact, I already do. I’m a collector so I enjoy buying physical copies of movies, TV shows, video games, you name it. Then again, as a sports fan, I do miss the easy access to live sports. I’ll just keep relying on live streams on the internet!

To be honest, I could go on and on. Well, I could go on and on with the devices I couldn’t live without. I admit that technology can be a problem in my life. There’s just no way I could function without it. Every single time the power goes out, I start to lose my mind. It’s got me by the balls, in other words.

Perhaps I’m alone with this feeling as more and more people migrate to their cellphones. They certainly have their usefulness and real-world value. However, I’m also not one of those millennials that need to be glued to their smartphone screen for hours on end. Not only do I not need to, but I deliberately choose not to.

Alright, so what’s my beef with smartphones, then? Clearly, I have negative feelings toward them. Well, let me mildly entertain you for just a few minutes as I explain why I don’t like being on my smartphone.

The Interface

The word “strongly” doesn’t do this next statement justice. I strongly prefer the interface of a computer screen over a smartphone. Getting past the sheer size difference, it’s also a matter of interaction. I’m an old-school personality and like typing with a physical keyboard and moving a cursor with a physical mouse.

With smartphones, it’s all centered upon a touchscreen interface. Sure, this style of navigation is probably more convenient, but, for me, it can also be more infuriating. Additionally, I absolutely despise using touchscreen keypads when having a conversation with someone. Just give me a dang keyboard as I can’t tell you how many times I have almost broken my phone because of it.

It Can Be Overwhelming

How about this? Do you ever get overwhelmed when you’re on your smartphone? Some people are geared to always be communicating with friends, family, co-workers, etc. I can only speak for myself, but I get overwhelmed really quickly.

Whether via email notifications, new texts, or news stories, sometimes it’s nice to escape from all of it. When I’m relaxing or getting my “me” time in, I always leave my phone out of reach and mute the sucker. I don’t even want to hear it go off once. I’ll leave my ringtone on, though, as physical calls are a different story.

Because Everyone Else Does

Next time you’re in a waiting room of any kind, count the people that are staring at their smartphones. Heck, even in a restaurant, glance at the people who are on them. It’s quite a startling revelation. The bottom line, pretty much everyone these days is on their phones in some capacity.

And, I’ve always considered myself somewhat of an outsider. I prefer to do things differently than most of society. I feel like this mindset has subconsciously made me dislike smartphones. Whether this is fair or foul, it’s the truth.

Hey, this is just the way that I feel. Again, I appreciate the value that owning a smartphone brings. However, when it comes down to it, I like it when it rests on my countertop not being looked at.

Yesterday Russia announced turning to facial recognition software to tackle the spread of coronavirus, while authorities worldwide are taking advantage of the latest tech to track and trace the infected.

24/7 Surveillance

Moscow’s employing the latest technology to track its residents during the coronavirus lockdown. The facial recognition software can even track faces through face masks, so there really is no escape. Perhaps that’s why the streets of the capital are eerily deserted, a far cry from the parks and gardens of London right now, where people continue to flout the lockdown rules and enjoy the unseasonably sunny UK weather.

Worries for the Future

One resident was captured on camera and fined for leaving his home (after being under quarantine following an international flight) to take out the trash, which seems a little extreme. In terms of keeping those in quarantine at home, it may sound like a great idea, but some Moscow residents rightly have concerns about what will happen once this is all over. Will Big Brother still be watching, and what does that mean for personal freedom in Russia’s capital city?

Lockdown in Moscow

The city is using over 170,000 cameras to track every movement of the public — although this is currently being used mostly to track and trace those who have been ordered to self-quarantine during the pandemic. There are plans to extend the network, so no dark alley or corner of the city is left uncovered, with the city working to install 9,000 additional cameras as we speak. When the pandemic is over, many of these cameras will remain in place. Whether they’ll still track residents’ movements using facial recognition, who knows — and indeed, will those living in the city even be aware?

Tech Crackdown on the Virus

Worldwide, authorities and governments are turning to tech to trace those with the virus and ensure quarantines and lockdown are adhered to. In Israel, the counter-terrorism agency has the ability to monitor location data on cell phones, allowing them to alert those who come close to a known coronavirus case, while in Singapore, the TraceTogether app lets authorities identify anyone who has been exposed to those with the virus. It’s all a bit concerning, really, as Human Rights Watch and Privacy International said in their statement:

“An increase in state digital surveillance powers, such as obtaining access to mobile phone location data, threatens privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of association.”

But as the number of people infected worldwide surpasses a million and deaths near 52,000, are governments and authorities around the world doing the right thing by infringing on our human right to privacy? And will things ever go back to normal, once the coronavirus pandemic is over?

It got me thinking. If I was stranded on a desert island, or just off the grid, what gadgets would I take with me? Of course, there wouldn’t be any Wi-Fi, not to mention no means of charging my gadgets — but assuming I was stranded for just a little while, there are a few things I’d love to have with me.

We all have our favorite gadgets — but what are the ones you just can’t live without?

Here are mine…

Kindle Paperwhite

A few years ago, I’d have laughed if you said I’d ever embrace an e-reader, but here we are — it’s top of my “can’t live without” list. I’m a sucker for a good book, and most of the time, I do prefer a “real” book, whether that’s a paperback or hardback. But given how fast I read, investing in a Kindle Paperwhite has been one of the best things I’ve ever done!

Now I can store hundreds of books and take them with me wherever I go, making my luggage lighter on trips — and keeping my boyfriend happy when he inevitably ends up carrying my bags. Not to mention books are cheaper on Kindle, so I can always justify purchasing the latest crime or fantasy novel. My Kindle is a few years old now, but it remains my favorite gadget and one I can’t live without.

Asahi Pentax Camera

I’m a bit of a photography geek and after studying a course on black and white film photography a few years back, I invested in an Asahi Pentax K1000 film camera. I’d want this on any desert island escape as it doesn’t need charging, so I can take photos of the trees, the sea and the beach (provided I remember to pack a few rolls of film!) This is a really simple camera to use, and I love how it looks, so if I run into any other desert island dwellers, they’re sure to be envious.

Apple iPod Nano (and headphones)

I imagine it’s pretty peaceful on a desert island with just the sound of birdsong and the lapping of the waves… but what if I’m feeling a bit lonely? I take my old iPod Nano 4th Gen everywhere with me — despite its small size, I haven’t lost it, yet. A few times I’ve considered updating it but it’s as good as new and packed with obscure music from friends at the various jobs I’ve worked in the past, so I can always find something to listen to. I don’t remember the last time I updated it, so every time I scroll through the library, there’s a surprise waiting.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Smartphone

I really couldn’t live without my phone. Ok, so there’s unlikely to be Wi-Fi on my desert island, and probably not even 4G, but I still need my phone. Firstly, if there is 4G then I can use Google Maps to navigate my way home! And if not, there are loads of games and podcasts downloaded to keep me amused while I wait for rescue. I love my Samsung Galaxy S8. I switched from Apple to Android 18 months ago after getting fed up of constantly running out of storage space on my iPhone, and haven’t looked back since.

If I really was stranded on a desert island, I think I might put off being rescued just a little longer if I had these gadgets with me. A good book, some tunes, and my phone for games — plus my camera for those essential desert island snapshots. What more could a girl need?

In case you believe AI won’t radically modify our future, here are the three fields in which this technology will change it all.

Healthcare

One of the fields in which AI will influence the most is in the healthcare sector. After all, this technology allows the quickest and most effective diagnosis of every kind of disease, in addition to the development of different types of services that are currently non-existent. Naturally, this situation represents a turning point in the field since it will enhance its efficiency, but it would probably traduce in a significant personnel reduction in clinics and hospitals.

On the one hand, the use of AI in the healthcare sector will speed up and streamline drug discovery, develop virtual nursing services for every patient, and even allow a big data analysis help in order to create the most personalized patient experience.

While this is an undeniable progress in the field, on the other hand, the collateral damage would be the personnel reduction that will take place in clinics and hospitals, which could translate into major protests that would destabilize the political reality of different countries around the world.

Education

Over the last few decades, different analysts and intellectuals have been predicting the effects that technology will inevitably have on education, given the fact that with the rise of mass communications media, along with the internet and social media platforms, people’s access to information has been easier than ever before.

However, the rise of AI has been considered such a game-changer that its influence in education would be massive. In fact, there are some innovations this last generation is already experiencing, like the digital textbooks and the way virtual tutors assist human instructors.

But far from ending there, AI will also expand into facial analysis recognition, which will be able to determine the exact emotions of students who use this gadget, in order to know who is struggling to get focused and enhance the experience to their individual necessities.

While many believe this will be the most effective method to guarantee the student’s understanding of the different topics that are being studied and analyzed, different experts believe this is a dangerous method not only because it is the most unnatural approach to help the student to understand certain topics, but also because of its privacy-related implications.

Journalism

Believe it or not, different media outlets are already making use of AI in order to publish some news articles of economic reports in the quickest way possible. After all, the rise of social media has turned immediacy into the cornerstone of today’s journalism, in the detriment veracity.

One of the most important media outlets that use this technology is the Associated Press, which employs the ability of the natural language of Automated Insights in order to create 3,700 articles each year.

Nevertheless, different reports have been pointing out that AI could control the flow of information in the near future, with media outlets disseminating the stories produced by AI programs, which will also create opinions and hypotheses about different topics, including politics and economy.

Unlike the previous cases, the vast majority of analysts believe this would be a dangerous situation not only because of the radical way in which it would change journalism but also because of the risk that the algorithms that control these programs are politically biased.

Although this type of assistance isn’t new, for the longest time many people simply avoided using speech-producing software for no other reason than the fact that they couldn’t stand the robotic-sounding default voices on their chosen machine. I’ll be the first to admit this was the case with me up until the mid-2010s. It was around this time that my desire to broaden my horizons as a writer and content creator made me revisit voice technology, in particular text to speech (TTS) software, as a means of refining my workflow and possibly creating new income opportunities.

Then

For context, let’s turn the clock back to about 2014 (or even a few years earlier had I been more hip and savvy)…

From there you can comfortably kiss the Speak & Spell voice of your particular OS goodbye and say hello to Amy and Brian — who couldn’t sound more British if they were above-the-line actors on Downton Abbey.

For those of you who missed the carriage, I’m referring to the TTS tech known as Ivona Voices, which at the time had a free app through the Google Play store and a desktop standalone going for a one-time payment of around $35 for personal use.

Yes, you read that right: FREE and ONE-TIME PAYMENT. None of this subscription service for everything nonsense.

As a writer, I definitely saw the benefits of using TTS from a creative perspective since the voices had evolved to the point of being tolerable for the duration of a blog article or eBook. You didn’t have to look all that hard to see that audio was the new frontier for media consumption, especially with the rising popularity of podcasts and indie creators starting to look for new ways to diversify their IP portfolios.

For me, TTS provided several benefits. First, it meant I could bypass subscription services like Audible, since I could literally copy a full-length book into a dedicated player, press a button, and have it spit out a complete audiobook in less than half an hour. In addition to that, the software served as a second set of eyes on anything I was writing, allowing me to see and hear my work in a way that made it easier to edit.

With the most obvious uses considered, the progress of the technology also made it plausible to envision future commercial iterations eliminating the need to hire voice actors for any narration work I might eventually experiment with. Don’t get me wrong, neither Brian nor Amy would be winning any acting awards, but in a world in which emotive inflection is quickly becoming a rarity among modern orators, one could hardly say either would be completely out of place in the market.

All in all, I would have said I had found an enviable balance between both the consumer and producer perspectives.

Yeah…

That was pretty much my exact level of naive, first-round optimism — until I realized the logical progression of the whole idea and how it would basically punch any frugal indie author’s attempt at a long-term business model square in the jaw.

Now

Jump to the start of the 2020s, and we (somewhat predictably) find the referee has already made it to the count of five while the next Tolkien is still face-first on the canvas wondering what the hell happened.

Naturally, it only goes to reason that the aforementioned money-saving tactic offered by text-to-speech is the exact reason why the idea of making real money by the same means is becoming more and more far-fetched. After all, who’s going to buy your audiobook if they can use the same technology to make their own audiobook at little to no additional cost? Even worse, what if, for the same reason, consumer expectations begin to shift to a point where meeting the needs of a willing buyer put production costs out of your price range?

Polly Wants All Your Crackers

In the years since I initially started using Ivona, the company has been acquired by Amazon. Shocker, I know. (Google must have slept on that day.)

The technology now powers Amazon Polly and is included as part of Amazon Web Services (AWS), which means you can no longer get Ivona’s previous standalone desktop application or the free voices on Google Play. (Oh, brave new world of cloud-based “convenience”!)

The only real upside is that Amazon’s commercial use pricing only costs fractions of a cent per character, giving you up to a million characters for around $4.00. This means you can download and make money from the voice files if you want, but casual use for something like editing might not be as beneficial as it once was.

However, none of this is the real point. No, the true area of concern arises courtesy of Google’s DeepMind and certain advances in machine learning. (You probably should have seen that coming. Early bird or not, Google always wins… always.)

Now that I think about it, you should definitely throw IBM’s Watson in the TTS pile for good measure. The days of the one-stop shop are over, which essentially means if you had any chance of capitalizing on the ignorance of your competition regarding the available options for production, you can pretty much tuck those dreams away with that one Blockbuster gift card you never got to use (but won’t get rid of for some reason).

So, what does that mean for the small-time creator as far as making money with the technology we currently have and also with what’s coming? I can only say that the terrain is very interesting.

The Outlook

Concerning Celebrities

The most likely winners in all of this, from what I can tell, will be celebrities.

We’ve already seen that deep learning TTS models, like RealTalk, are capable of creating realistic voice replicas of public figures like Joe Rogan, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk, so the idea of celebrity endorsed and licensed TTS voices doesn’t seem like a stretch once someone figures out the legalese (which they better start working on pretty soon before things get out of hand).

The way I see it, this influx of celebrity options will be the Swiss Army knife equivalent of the proverbial double-edged sword. On the one blade, you could have the voice of Morgan Freeman reading all your audiobooks, narrating your documentary, and playing the lead character in your video game. On another, though, you would have to worry about paying the real Morgan Freeman for every possible license under the sun to use his voice, which probably means you won’t make any money. In response, of course, you could always make a TTS of your own voice to cut costs, but you would quickly realize that no self-respecting buyer would choose you when they could get Morgan Freeman.

Basically what I’m saying is that Morgan Freeman will be everyone and everywhere…

Like… like…

God…

Just as he seemed destined to be…

In all seriousness, though, I believe platforms like Audible will eventually start partnering with celebrities to make custom TTS voices that they can then offer exclusively to subscription members who want to hear their favorite books read by certain people. It’s not difficult to fathom that many authors will have a hard time competing with any celebrity who has a halfway decent voice. In that market, the only thing that could preserve the author’s royalty check would be the collective goodwill of a very loyal fan base that just prefers their favorite author unconditionally — a circumstance which conveniently brings me to my next point.

Concerning Nonfiction Writers

As I subtly alluded to above, one segment of writers might still benefit from advances in TTS. Specifically, I’m referring to those who deal in nonfiction topics. Unlike fiction, nonfiction, especially in the personal development category, is one area in which readers might prefer authors take charge of their own words. Depending on the subject, there’s always something special about hearing an author’s voice connect with the subject of its passion, and there’s often no substitute for that with many fans. Still, as it concerns TTS, one can’t help but also embrace the irony as this desire for intimacy brushes harshly against the inherent conflict presented by the production method. In this respect, it’s difficult to predict how the process will be perceived.

I see the resolution of this predicament happening in one of two ways. Either authors choose to defy reader (listener) expectations in favor of revolutionizing their own workflow and profitability, or they will ultimately succumb to the pressure to do things the old-fashion way by going through the full recording process page by page. One can only hope the product of the latter choice will fetch a higher price for the apparent courtesy, since I have no doubt authors of a certain persuasion will try to milk that particular perception for all they can get.

Concerning Fiction Writers

The TTS revolution will likely hit this group the hardest. When faced with the competition described above, productions of fictional works will have to become much more elaborate in order to make a listener’s purchase worthwhile. We are already seeing the effects of this now with the resurgence in popularity of radio-style audio dramas, which often come complete with music, sound effects, and sometimes even a full cast of voice actors. To be sure, expectations are only going to get more demanding in both podcast and audiobook circles, but that doesn’t mean this type of creator should be completely discouraged. After all, pressure tends to breed innovation.

Conclusion

As with most other aspects of our current digital revolution, advancements in voice technology bring both hope and anxiety to the table, and a moment of reflection is always welcome. Indeed, recognizing the possibilities of both instances is the first step to dealing with the challenges we will necessarily have to face. From there, preparation will have to take us the rest of the way.