From DC to Doctor Who: 10 panels we can't wait for at New York Comic Con

October 06, 2016

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GALLERY

The Walking Dead 

is all over NYCC, including panels with creator and graphic novelist Robert Kirkman, but the ultimate event for fans is right here. Kirkman and the cast discuss Seasons 6 and their characters' futures ... as well as throwing in a little teaser for Season 7.

Black Mirror

Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room 1A10

Little information has been released about this panel, which is entirely fitting for the dystopic miniseries created by Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones. Expect new footage from Season 3(due on Netflix Oct. 21) and deep, troubling discussions about what technology says about the human race.

24: Legacy 

Saturday, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Main Stage

What exactly is Jack Bauer's legacy? That's the tough question to answer in this clip screening and Q&A with executive producers Manny Coto, Evan Katz and Howard Gordon. The discussion will also include cast members Corey Hawkins, Miranda Otto and Jimmy Smits.

Marvel’s Iron Fist 

Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Main Stage

In case you hadn't realized, Netflix is killing it with the Marvel properties. Marvel's television head Joseph Loeb leads the panel and will screen new original footage of Iron Fist, due out on March 17, 2017.

Curious about the glitching AI hosts on Westworld, or the futuristic theme park built on voyeurism and catharsis? Showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy will screen episode 2 with cast members Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright and Jimmi Simpson, as well as participate in a discussion and Q&A. And when it's all over and the post-NYCC slump begins, you can head home to watch episode 2 live.

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Samsung acquires AI from Siri-creator Viv Labs to compete with Siri

October 06, 2016

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GALLERY

The AI was able to grapple with complex demands on-stage, and Kittlaus explained "dynamic program generation" was the engine behind its abilities. To put it simply, as Mashable explained, Viv could write itself new code in "less than a second," meaning it was able to grow and learn quickly. 

"Unlike other existing AI-based services, Viv has a sophisticated natural language understanding, machine learning capabilities and strategic partnerships that will enrich a broader service ecosystem," Rhee said Wednesday.

Facebook and Google were rumoured to be interested in the technology, but it looks like Samsung won out.

Most major technology companies are hoping to strengthen their voice assistant technologies, even bringing them from mobile to the desktop, as Microsoft did with Cortana and Apple with Siri. Google Assistant, which powers the new Google Home, is another major competitor.

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This Princeton professor celebrated his Nobel Prize win by teaching his class

October 06, 2016

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NATIONAL

This year, the Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded collectively to three British scientists, who with their groundbreaking research on exotic states of matter may have ushered in a new era in quantum computing and related technologies. The three winners — David Thouless, Duncan Haldane, and Michael Kosterlitz will collectively share the prize amount of SEK 8 million (approx Rs 6.2 crore) given away by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.

65-year-old Duncan, a professor at Princeton University, New Jersey, shared his story at a crowded press conference organised in the city. He told reporters how he woke up to a call from Sweden and felt “gratified” on winning the Nobel Prize in Physics this year. However, instead of doing anything unusual on the biggest day of his life, he got dressed and went to his class to teach his students electromagnetism.

“Well, of course. It’s a matter of duty or pride to go back and do one’s job,” Duncan told NJ. The Princeton professor was greeted with applause by his students when he walked into the classroom. Duncan felt that he owed it to his students, as the future will be paved by them. “Any one of them could discover something tremendous and new and win a Nobel Prize,” he added.

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To boost enterpreneurship in the state, Odisha govt to organize Startup Enclave in November

October 06, 2016

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BUSINESS

“It was decided to organize the event for two days on November 28 and 29,” said L N Gupta, Secretary of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises department. Gupta said that the conclave would be organized in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, TiE, Bhubaneswar and TiE Silcon Valley. Department of MS&ME would be the Nodal Department, he said.

A proposal to this effect was taken in a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary A P Padhi. Padhi has advised to make the conclave focused and outcome oriented. “Encourage more number of budding Odia entrepreneurs from various sectors in this conclave,” Padhi said in the meeting.

The objectives of the event would be to motivate the youth towards entrepreneurship, showcase the startup ecosystem in Odisha and attract more startups to start their venture in the state, Gupta said, adding “it was also decided to organize Idea Competition among innovative youths in the event.”

Odisha's new Startup Policy envisages the state to become among the top three startup hubs in the country by 2020 through strategic partnerships, conducive ecosystem, investments and policy intervention. The policy, which will be implemented within five years, envisages creation of world class incubation centres, funding and supporting incentives structure at par with other states.

A Startup Capital Infrastructure Fund (up to Rs 25 crore) would be provided by the state government to the Department of MSME through budgetary provision. The state government would also participate in private state specific funds for startups to set up operations in the state, such as seed/VC funds, limited to 1/4th of the total size.

Institutions like universities and colleges would be eligible for one time capital grant of 50 per cent of capital cost, excluding the cost of building, up to a maximum of Rs 1 crore to set up an incubation facility. Rs 10,000 per month will be provided to a startup for a period of one year only if the startup has got the seed round funding approval.

Reimbursement of up to Rs 1 lakh per year for three years would also be provided to institutions, incubators and industries for providing free internet, electricity and mentoring services as per the policy. The approved incubators would be eligible for a performance capital grant of Rs 5 lakh for each successful startup they incubate.

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