Babel
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Essay generator can spew out BS, still get you an 'A'
While automated essay-grading machines can tackle 16,000 essays in 20 seconds, are they any good compared to a human? Online course administrators in the machine camp think so, but retired MIT prof Les Perelman has shown that such bots aren't about to pass a Turing test anytime soon. His proof is the Babel Generator, aka the Basic Automatic BS Essay Language Generator. In less than two seconds, the software can spit out an essay capable of scoring 90 percent or better on automated tests. The only problem is that while grammatically correct, the papers are utter gibberish. Here's an example he gave the Chronicle of Higher Education: "Privateness has not been and undoubtedly never will be lauded, precarious, and decent."
Google launches new Google+ Hangouts platform and mobile apps with focus on conversations
The rumors were apparently true: Google's unified chat platform (widely nicknamed Babel) is launching as the new Hangouts, with new mobile apps to match. The messaging service puts Android, Chrome, Gmail and iOS all on the same page for the first time, focusing the interface on conversations that carry over from device to device. Across the board, you'll find consistent notifications, as well as emoji and shared photo pools that weren't in Google Talk. Contacts are still there, but they're pushed to the side in the mobile view. Live group video is new, too, while text chats have watermarks to clarify who's reading and typing. Everyone gets access to the updated Hangouts today. The Android and iOS apps are available as we write this; Gmail users can hit a "try it now" button, while Chrome users can install an extension. One word of warning: the Android app currently won't run on some tablets, including the Nexus 7.%Gallery-188460%
Google's rumored Babel chat service will reportedly launch as Hangouts
Google hasn't even officially launched Babel, but word on the street has it that the aforesaid term was being used internally to reference a new, unified chat platform. Now, TechRadar is reporting that Babel will simply become a part of Google Hangouts -- almost certainly as a means to continue the art of subtly shoving Google+ onto every user it can. Moreover, the newly expanded Hangouts could launch as early as next week during Google I/O, and we'll be there to bring you the goods if indeed it does.
Google Play Android redesign and Babel chat branding surface on Google+
Google I/O may still be a solid month away, but folks on Mountain View's social network are already stumbling across leaks and notifications hinting at what might be in store. Google Play's 4.0 redesign, for instance, briefly appeared on a YouTube employee's profile before being deleted, matching the holo-themed leak we saw last month. The update shows a landing page we didn't see in the previous walkthrough, and includes a message introducing the redesign that promises to make it "easier to browse and discover new favorites." Google's rumored Babel chat rebranding is making the rounds too, apparently surfacing in Gmail when certain messages are moved to trash. Neither are surefire announcements for I/O, but the timing is about right. Skip on past the break for a screen grab of the Babel notification.
Heroes of Gaia releases first expansion
Heroes of Gaia, the free-to-play, browser-based MMO from Snail Game, launched its first expansion today. Heroes of Gaia launched back in October, and the BABEL expansion adds quite a bit of new content to the game on both the PvP and PvE sides. Updates to the PvE side begin with the Tower of Babel, a 40-level tower with progressively more difficult guardians (and better rewards!) on each level. The Tower of Babel can be attempted once per day, but fight carefully, because a defeat will expel you from the tower empty handed. The tower isn't the only new challenge facing players, though. Three times a day 20 minions will appear on your world map, each defending a powerful boss monster in an instanced challenge. PvP has gotten a nice facelift as well, with the addition of new Arena rules, new military ranks, and a very generous list of new military equipment. The full list, as well as all the new additions that came with the BABEL expansion, can be seen on the official site.
Montreal QA specialist doubles as more developers come to town
Montreal outsourcing and post production specialist Babel Media is gearing up for the city's impending game development growth, doubling the size of its facility, while adding 350 new jobs; to its existing 150. While Babel serves the interests of a variety of media formats, Ubisoft's grand plans and Eidos' moving in have spurred Babel's decision to bulk up. Known for its translation services, the company specializes in functionality QA, localized translation and audio creation, localization QA, and localized packaging and manuals."We have recently signed contracts with clients who, without exaggeration, own some of the greatest Intellectual Property in the world," said Babel managing director Algy Williams, adding, "We will be testing their games across all platforms, including PS3 and Xbox 360, and we need to recruit talented and motivated people who are looking for a career in the games industry." Anyone need a job?
This Week in HD-DVD: babel babel edition
And so continues our little HD-DVD drought for the third straight week in a row. We only have one HD-DVD release this week, but it is a Brad Pitt original. Babel is the movie to get this Tuesday as it's being released on both DVD and HD-DVD simultaneously and without delay. True, there is only one movie release, but next week we'll try and get more of a variety for you guys. You know, since we control the HD-DVD release schedule and all. Enjoy your Babel! HD-DVD Movie Releases: February 20th Babel
Tower of Babel translator "dubs" conversations
Some US researchers at Carnegie Mellon University -- who have clearly missed the basic gist of most traditional tellings of the Tower of Babel story -- are working on a nifty new technology for automatically translating bilingual conversations. Instead of speaking into a device and then waiting for the unit to transform the audio into text, translate that text and then output the translation in audio form (ala IBM's recently rolled-out solution), the "Tower of Babel" translator allows the conversationalists to mouth the words they wish to speak, which it then translates on the fly and creates an audio overdub of the conversation. The upshot of this is that two people can "speak" to each other face to face in their own respective languages, with minimal delay or confusion. Electrodes are hooked up to the neck and face to sense the mouth movements, but unfortunately the system is still in its infancy. Currently it can handle a small vocabulary of 100-200 words at about 80% accuracy, and accuracy drops off significantly beyond that vocab. The system currently works with translating Chinese to English and English to Spanish or German. Obviously there's a long way to go, but we're looking forward to the day when we can all get along and chat it up Tower of Babel style -- heck, we might as well build a spankin' tall building while we're at it, yeah?[Via Slashdot]
