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UPDATE: This article was written before the game was delayed to 2021. 2020 has claimed another thing we love from us, but the excitement will live on.

On October 20th, 2020, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be released for Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Windows. After years and years of Electronic Arts hogging the franchise, releasing broken dumpster fire games, sub-par Dark Souls rip-offs and ruining Battlefront forever, we’re getting a brand new Star Wars game. 

A NEW HOPE

Whatever your opinion may be on LEGO games, the Star Wars releases are always some of the funniest and most fun Star Wars games around. They treat the franchise with respect and craft an experience that stays with fans for years to come. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a ray of hope in an industry that is so money-hungry that it left Star Wars games to one of the most notoriously toxic companies that prey on gamers with loot boxes and rushed releases. 

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

I have very high hopes for LEGO Star Wars this year. If it performs well, makes a lot of money, maybe Disney can finally get the message that Star Wars games need effort and passion in order to enjoy the success the franchise had in previous generations. Because no matter how much money EA made with their Star Wars games, there’s not a lot of people that will have fond memories of those games in the future. In fact, bad Star Wars games cheapen the franchise and ruin its marketability in an industry that keeps growing every year.

RETURN OF THE JEDI

A single-player Star Wars game that can be played offline with your friends/family on the couch is a rare treat in 2020. LEGO games do couch co-op best and it’s been too long since we had a good Star Wars game with this incredibly underrated feature. The trailer, box art and very little info we have is enough to make me excited about this one. That’s how badly I need a good Star Wars game in 2020.

What do you think? Are you excited about LEGO Star Wars or have you grown tired of the LEGO game formula? Let us know in the comments below.

The post The best Star Wars game in years is coming out in 2020 appeared first on BadFive.

CAN-DODO ATTITUDE

In all seriousness though, this one picture is enough to show exactly how transcending the latest Animal Crossing game is. I believe, and sales of the game can verify this, that in 2020 the Animal Crossing fanbase grew by millions. Whether it’s people like me, rediscovering the series after years of not playing the games or brand new fans of all ages, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is bringing everyone together.

PERFECT TIMING

It came at the perfect moment, when the world needed it most. I still remember fearing that I wouldn’t be able to get my copy of the game at launch due to the pandemic measures.

STRESS RELIEF

For people having to stay home when they would much rather be outside, Animal Crossing offers an escape unlike any other. The island getaway package Tom Nook offers helps us cope with the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping us sane and reducing stress at a time when we can’t help but be worried about what the future holds for us and humanity in general.

ALL ABOUT STRUCTURE

If you own a Switch, I would highly recommend giving Animal Crossing: New Horizons a go. If anything, it helps bring some structure into your life when everything is chaotic and up in the air. You will wake up earlier to do specific morning tasks. You will start planning out your day better, being productive when you need to and then rewarding yourself with an hour or two of stress-relieving game time.

It made my life better. Animal Crossing is a phenomenon.

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I’m talking of course, about ‘Shadows of the Empire’.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

It was a multimedia crossover project the likes of which we wouldn’t see until ‘The Force Unleashed’ in 2008, which was left unfinished following Disney’s acquisition of the franchise. Rediscovering ‘Shadows of the Empire’ as an adult, I could still feel how massive and exciting the project was almost 25 years later. Reading the book, playing the game and getting in that 1996 Star Wars vibe reminded me of the days of the Jedi Knight series, which were peak Star Wars for me.

DAYS OF DARKNESS

Alas, following the microtransaction boom of the past decade and the fact that Electronic Arts somehow got the rights to make all major releases in the franchise, Star Wars games have completely lost their magic. Even after a series of cash-grab mediocre games, EA tried to win fans back with ‘Jedi: Fallen Order’. While the return to a single-player-only adventure was very welcome, it was rushed to make the Holiday 2019 release of ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, the movie ending the latest trilogy. The game was, and still is, a buggy mess on all versions, clearly unfinished and owing all of its success in its fantastic storytelling.

FAILURES HURT THE FRANCHISE

In 2020, we need a new ‘Shadows of the Empire’, a new ‘The Force Unleashed’. Whatever EA tried to do with their Battlefront I, II releases was clearly an attempt to achieve a multimedia project with the scale and cultural impact of past efforts, but the motivation was purely financial. The project had no soul. And fans could smell the BS a mile away.

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

With ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ dabbling in some extended universe story elements and a plot that reminded me of the late 90s/early 2000 Star Wars games, I can only hope Disney urges EA or a more competent company to craft something that will be remembered for years to come; a Star Wars story than can hold it own when compared to the original trilogy and the prequels with books, video games and toys that will make fans’ heads spin. Give Star Wars the love it deserves, fans will pay much more for it than any stupid microtransaction gambling element the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Electronic Arts can inject in their games.

If you want to experience ‘Shadows of the Empire’ or ‘The Force Unleashed’ in all its glory, the books and video games can be found online and they are incredibly cheap and easy to get.

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However, not all models are capable of doing everything. Some are equipped with better specs, while others are lagging behind. If you want a tablet that answers all your needs, we have good news for you. Here we have listed the 7 Best Tablets for Every Need!

Apple iPad Pro 11

The iPad Pro 11 is definitely one of the most versatile tablets that you can get. Sure it is expensive, but you must remember that this is Apple’s most powerful tablet to date. Aside from looking chic and sophisticated, it also sports a 2-in-1 design, a tablet, and a laptop in one.

Once you’ve attached a keyboard, the iPad Pro will not just have a laptop-like design, but it will also perform as one. It is powerful and can keep up with system heavy apps without breaking a sweat. This model is also compatible with the latest Apple Pencil, which magnetically sticks onto the frame of the tablet. It is also fitted with excellent speakers and a fabulous screen-to-body ratio. It is well crafted and managed to answer users’ expectations from Apple.

Unfortunately, like most recent Apple devices, the iPad Pro does not have a headphone jack. But aside from this, this tablet can take anything you throw and will definitely answer your every need.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is one of the best Android tablets on the market. This model is equipped with all the cutting-edge technology that you would expect for Samsung’s premium-priced device.

It sports two rear cameras, which is uncommon for a tablet, as they usually have a single lens. Tab 6 is also powered by a high-end processor so it will be powerful enough for heavy apps. The 10.5-inch display is also great thanks to its AMOLED display.

If you plan to use this tablet for sketches or taking notes, you won’t have to worry as this device comes with an S Pen stylus. This way, your random doodles, creative sketches, or note-taking during meetings are taken care of. If you want to go the extra mile, and you can opt to buy a smart keyboard to achieve a laptop-like experience.

However, the Galaxy Tab S6 is not perfect. The lack of a headphone jack and the not so great user interface are downers to this almost ideal tablet. But then again, these are minimal as the media capability, and its level of productivity is top-notch. 

Microsoft Surface Go

If you are big on aesthetics, the Surface Go is a stylish tablet that brings the Windows 10 experience to a more compact body. The Microsoft Surface Go is similar to the Surface Pro 6 but portable. Its small body is perfect for students and professionals who are always on the go. Though a smaller package compared to its predecessor, it still packs enough power for daily tasks. It’s Windows 10 S Mode is pulling no punches and has no app compatibility issues whatsoever. The battery life is also decent enough for extended usage, this tablet can last up to 9 hours of continuous use before needing a recharge.

The Surface Go is powered by the Intel Pentium Gold processor, which can easily handle basic browser-based tasks. For example, the Surface Go won’t have difficulty with word processing or content management. It can also run Office 365 apps with no problem. If you opt for the high-end model of the Surface Go, you will get treated with 8GB of RAM. So running several tabs and windows at the same time would be easy peasy.

Overall all, the Surface Go performs thanks to its OS, the Windows 10 in S Mode. Because it runs using an Intel processor, you can be assured that it can handle heavy office workloads. Sure the app selection on the Microsoft Store is not much, but with reliability and stability, the Surface Go gt your back.

Asus ZenPad 3S 10

The Asus ZenPad 3S 10 is not equipped with the latest hardware nor with the newest software, but it offers is good value for its price. Attached to an attractive price tag and with decent specs to boot, the Asus ZenPad 3S 10 is a strong competitor.

The display is great thanks to its IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen. The screen is bright and fluid and boasts a native 1536 x 2048 resolution. Since it is priced modestly, don’t expect high-end specs on this model, plus it is relatively old too. However, it is one of the most solid and reliable ones out there. It is powered by a Hexa-core (2×2.1 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) and equipped with 4GB RAM. You can be assured that this tablet won’t let you down.

The battery life is also decent at 10 hours of talk time, so this tablet can keep up with users with busy schedules. Its OS is pretty old as it runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). However, it is upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), so it can still run modern apps.

Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite

The Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite is perfect for users looking for mid-range Android tablets you can buy. This tablet is ideal for those who enjoy lazing around watching videos on its 10.1-inch IPS display. After all, the Huawei MediaPad M5 lite is equipped with a 1080P display, so whether you are streaming your favorite shows or playing games, this tablet will deliver. To upgrade your viewing experience, you can take advantage of the Huawei ClariVu technology. This feature dramatically improves the brightness and clarity of the display.

This tablet is co-engineered with Harman Kardon. Harman Kardon is a division of Harman International Industries, which is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. So the quality of this tablet is more than guaranteed.  Sound-wise, the tablet sports a quad-speaker system delivers, which is finely-tuned. The audio profile is precisely optimized to achieve concert-level audio effects. This means more bass and no distortion.

The battery life of the MediaPad M5 Lite is quite robust, and it only takes less than 2.9 hours to juice up. Thanks to its 7500 mAh battery, you can be sure that the M5 lite can fully keep up with your entertainment and gaming needs. This tablet is also compatible with the Huawei M-Pen lite Stylus, so you can rely on it for taking down notes and sketches.

Overall, the Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite is a sleekly designed tablet. With its metal build and 2.5D curved glass edge, it has managed to combine functionality and sophistication.

Apple iPad Air (2019)

If you like the iPad Pro but lacks budget or simply does not need all the processing power, then the Apple iPad Air (2019) is the perfect compromise. It is powerful, sturdily built, and lightweight. Plus, it is also compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard Cover, so you can also enjoy the laptop-like experience. With its price and functionality, this tablet is perfect for students. Its IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen and 1668 x 2224 resolution is ideal for reading ebooks and comics, definitely one of the best tablets for readingout there.

Like the iPad Pro, the iPad Air is also compatible with the Apple Pencil. So, if you are a creative who always needs a canvass to doddle on, then this tablet is more than enough. It is powered by A12 Bionic chip, so day to day tasks won’t be an issue. Multi-tasking is also a breeze thanks to its 3GB RAM. Since this iOs, you can expect fewer bloatware compared to its Android counterparts.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e has managed to find the sweet spot between an entertainment device and a professional tool. From its display, design, down to its audio, Samsung made sure that you’ll get all your needs covered. With its robust 8134 mAh battery, you can be sure that your all-day workload and after office hours, Netflix binging-watching sessions are secured.

Design-wise, the Galaxy Tab S5e lightweight thanks to its aluminum frame. It is sleek and sophisticated and feels great. If you want, you can attach a keyboard accessory on. To achieve that, laptop-like feel. However, even with the extra attachment, the Tab S5e still retains the look of a thin notebook. Overall the Galaxy Tab S5e is perfect for your multi-media and office needs.

AUTHOR BIO

Hayk Saakian is into startups, web development and emerging technology. He writes every week for his personal blog.

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Set to be released mid-2020, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold is the first foldable laptop with dual-screen capabilities and a folding OLED display. The PC offers simultaneous screen usage and allows you to shift instantly between displays. 

Weighing less than 2.5 pounds, the ThinkPad X1 Fold is easy to take on the go. Similar to a tablet, it’s as transportable as a smartphone but offers performance akin to a laptop.

Co-engineered with Intel, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold blends accessibility with efficiency. If you love using both a laptop and a tablet or both a tablet and a smartphone, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold laptop gives you the best of all the worlds. 

Here’s what you need to know about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold. 

It solved a need 

Consumers who bounce between their phone, laptop, and tablet love the convenience technology offers, but research suggests they want something bigger and better, combining the capabilities of all of their devices in one.

The ThinkPad X1 Fold‘s double working screens were designed for dual-utility, instead of one half reserved only for the keyboard or one half only for the screen. With two screens to choose from, users can work on two separate projects, or combine both and drag components from one screen to the next. 

For instance, you can hop on a video conference call on one screen while you take notes on the bottom. Or, you can draw on the laptop’s sketch pad across both screens.

And while it isn’t something specific to Lenovo or the ThinkPad X1 Fold, the laptop also features cooling controls—a nice bonus Lenovo didn’t sacrifice when making it compact. 

It’s versatile 

The ThinkPad 10X’s design is extremely flexible. You can make it smaller (to fit the very small amount of space you have at a coffee shop table, for instance) or you can prop it up with a kickstand to expand it, like a desktop monitor. 

Thanks to in-portrait mode, it lets you type away on an on-screen keyboard on the bottom half of the laptop. The ThinkPad X1 Fold also offers a Bluetooth keyboard, which magnetically attaches to the bottom half and charges wirelessly when closed.

Its performance is still unknown 

We can’t say with certainty whether the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold will tank or soar—there simply aren’t enough reviews yet. 

What we do know is that it lacks Windows 10X, which is integral in handling various apps across multiple displays. The same way fiber-optic cables perform better than copper, multi-screen, foldable laptops performs better with Windows 10X.

Currently, the laptop uses Windows 10 Pro, but Lenovo has plans to roll out its own solution sometime this year. 

The ThinkPad X1 Fold Windows 10 Pro version comes with a hefty price tag of $2,499. The lack of software elements makes it pretty pricey for a laptop whose performance is still unknown. 

All in all, though, the design is sleek, and it hasn’t sacrificed storage, speed, or most software add-ons in favor of flexibility. 

Author’s Bio

Bruna Ostheimer is a freelance writer, who specializes in content related to technology, internet, and business. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and enjoys using it to bring awareness to topics she’s passionate about. She enjoys kicking back with a good book, travelling, and seeing sunsets. Read more of Bruna’s writing here.

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One of the latest and the most spectacular breakthroughs of internet technologies is without a doubt – Artificial Intelligence. The AI-driven software and computers using it are becoming more and more humanized. We see computers becoming more than just robots. We’re witnessing the era of creating a real-life Data from “Startrek”.

Of course, there’s a long way to go until we reach that level as humanity, but the beginnings are more than impressive. The first AI beginnings show great results in some industries and businesses. Its use makes a lot of revenue for their companies. Still, what is more important, it is making a huge impact on industries that are working for the common good of humanity, like health or public institutions governing cities.

Why do we say it’s going to blow up?

Since its first public use in 1998 when the Deep Blue computer defeated Gary Kasparov in a game of chess, the world champion at the time, the technology has gone so far. Based on predictions which are made by official Artificial Intelligence statistics, there’s a great chance it will make a massive impact on everything around us.

For example, the global revenues coming from AI in 2018 were $1.62 billion. In 2025, it is expected this number to reach $31.2 billion. But that’s merely the beginning of this story.

Did you know that AI-driven computers are now capable of doing tasks better than people? Not just any tasks, too. AI is now being used by radiologists in medicine to detect cancer. It is proven that technology can now provide more accurate diagnoses. AI is excellent in cancer screening, and it outperforms doctors. The computers cut false positives by 11%, which is a vast number.

Knowing that these instruments are at beginner’s level and are yet to be developed to the fullest, we can only assume what will happen in the future and how many other benefits patients and doctors will get from it.

Making a huge impact on employment

Based on many different facts and stats, the predictions say that by the year 2022, 75 million people will be sacked from their jobs because there will be no need for them anymore. The Artificial Intelligence software and computers running on it will do their jobs much better.

By 2030 this number is predicted to be a staggering 800 million. Almost a billion, right? More than an eighth of the entire population. But wait, is this so scary? Actually it is, because at the moment, there are 3.3 billion employed people. The rest are children, seniors, and disabled. That’s a much different proportion, isn’t it?

Can you imagine how much that is? The US Army, in total, has just a little more than a million trained soldiers. All these people will be released from their duties, and they’ll have nowhere to go.

The good thing in all this said above is that at the same time of AI taking over people’s jobs, it’s creating new ones for those who can adapt and retrain. Machines might do some serious and complex tasks, but there’s still need for their production, maintenance, running, and overseeing. So, everyone who will want to continue working will need to retrain and will continue having a job.

We don’t see AI, but it’s all around us

We’re not aware of this most of the time, but companies and businesses are using AI and making lots of profits by it. However, not all companies are aware of the benefits, and not all of them are using AI. Only around 15% of them are using AI software and mainly in the retail industry where chatbots are doing a much better job in customer care than people.

Businesses earn $8 billion more by having AI chatbots who take care of this part of the work. It is estimated that around 85% of all customer service now belongs to AI chatbots.

So, let’s say you’re online surfing the net and looking at posts on your favourite social network. Suddenly an ad shows up about something you previously typed, talked about, or even got a message from someone else with it, be sure that the little bots were scanning you and found out that you may need something like this.

Another place where humanity can benefit a lot is – traffic. Yes, the morning traffic jams in crowded cities might be over. Some cities around the world already experimented with such software. The traffic lights are controlled by computers who get help from the cameras on the place. The AI manages to see what lights need to be opened longer. Together with all the cameras around the area, it controls the entire traffic and makes less jam.

Privacy concerns

For Artificial Intelligence to work correctly, it needs the help of cameras, microphones, and everything else that can mimic the human senses. The ultimate goal of the researchers is to create a humanoid which will be able to act as a live person completely. This will be possible by recreating the human senses. Since robots can’t have real eyes, they will be mimicked by cameras. All other senses by different machines, too.

Having this in mind means that AI will have too much info about us. They’ll be able to see us, hear us, and understand our thoughts because we’ve already let them in our lives through the internet and the apps that use AI.

Conclusion

So many industries and segments of our lives and society are going to be touched by the AI influence. In the next ten years, based on facts, we’ll be able to see a thorough change of the world as we know it. We can only imagine and guess what all these significant changes will bring in real life. One thing is sure though – the impact will be so huge that it can be portrayed as a blast.

Author Bio

Mila Bera is a Blogger and Contributor at Kommandotech.com. Toronto born, puppy-lover and passionate blogger. Traveling the world and proving people wrong is my specialty and hobby. Love reading up on the newest trends and have a passion for anything creative and trending

The post Is Artificial Intelligence Going to Blow Up in the 2020s? appeared first on BadFive.

For example, do you think you could work out how to build your own website using computer code? Do you understand the internal electronics that make your device work? And do you really know what the blockchain is all about? These are just a few examples of topics that even young individuals who are generally familiar with modern technology aren’t always familiar with. They tend to be a little bit more complicated, and require a little bit more effort to master. However, we believe that some of these concepts — like those listed below — could actually be taught through video games.

1 – Code-Based Web Design

Learning how to code well enough to design your own website (whether through HTML or a different computer language) can be a somewhat academic process, and a lengthy one. Skillcrush estimates “as little as three months” for someone to learn to code from scratch, and that alone can turn a lot of people off of the idea. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, three months spent learning a valuable modern skill isn’t so bad. But practically speaking that’s a significant commitment to what is ultimately going to be a hobby for a majority of people.

Game-driven code education can all but eliminate these concerns. Almost like learning a foreign language, coming to understand code involves mastering the basics, repeating them, and progressing to more complex concepts. And just as we’ve seen these steps presented in the form of a variety of games for language learning (just look at apps like Duolingo and Babbel), the coding process can be made entertaining, rather than tedious. A quiz-like game built as a long series of increasingly difficult challenges could absolutely result in coding proficiency. And in fact, in this case, there are already some games of this nature out there.

2 – Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Navigation

If you’re unfamiliar with cryptocurrency and the blockchain technology through which it operates, these very terms can be somewhat dizzying. And if you take a look at a crypto wallet for the first time, it may appear as if you’re looking at a bank account from a different country. The truth of the matter is that it’s all quite simple. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital assets that can be traded via transactions recorded on the blockchain, which is in effect a digital public ledger.

With that said though, it can still seem somewhat foreign for a while, and practice makes perfect — which is why we can imagine a crypto investment and trading game being very helpful as a training tool. A game that allowed you to use fake money to acquire and trade cryptocurrencies (perhaps with specific goals and challenges involved, for fun) would serve as an excellent simulation, and would make the real world of cryptocurrency and blockchain navigation less daunting.

3 – Printed Circuit Board Design

We raised the question above of whether or not you understand the internal electronics that make your devices work. And really, that question comes down to printed the circuit boards, or PCBs, that drive the functionality of our electronic devices. Most people are at most generally aware of PCBs’ existence — but unless you are specifically involved with electronics, you may never have given thought to how they’re designed, or how they work.

A video game can actually go a long way toward explaining PCBs. Already, you can gain quite a lot of understanding about the basics through online design platforms for PCBs. For starters, Altium’s post on basic circuit board parts, includes (but not limited to) pin layouts, schematic symbols, and 3D models. It also explains how modern design software can help you to combine all of these parts to design a real, functioning PCB. But tools like these are more for production than anything else. Before reaching that point, it might be highly beneficial to play a game that could perhaps challenge you to achieve different functions by altering circuitry designs. There are some games of this general type, though we don’t know of one yet that specifically teaches players how to design PCBs.

4 – Cybersecurity

Our article on ‘Why Cybersecurity is Now a Necessity’ made clear that inadequate preparation in this area can be disastrous. The article was focused largely on cybersecurity in businesses, and the potential costs of attacks or data breaches, but the truth is that we all need to become more adept at handling digital risks, both as individuals and in a professional capacity.

Unfortunately, cyber crime is growing continually more sophisticated, and as a result we need to better educate ourselves on how to fend it off. This can be a dry and somewhat discouraging process in general. But we could imagine a variety of simple video games that could make it more engaging. In fact, even a game in which you’re the cyber criminal could help to open people’s eyes to potential risks. Imagine something like the game Plague, Inc., in which your job is to design a virus to overcome humans’ efforts at containment. Such a game focused on cyber crime could teach the various ways in which hackers look to exploit modern technology, and thus better prepare players for what to watch out and prepare for.

Truth be told, gaming could help to educate people about modern technology in more ways than these! It could be used to explain artificial intelligence, teach IoT concepts, and so on. But the concepts above represent some particularly tricky ideas that people often overlook specifically because they’re difficult or dry to learn about. For such concepts, gaming may be the best solution.

The post 4 Tricky Tech Concepts That Could Be Taught Through Gaming appeared first on BadFive.

A few weeks later on January 25th 2019, after fan hype reaching extreme levels, Nintendo put out a short video explaining how development for Metroid Prime 4 was restarted with Retro Studios taking over. Nintendo did this because they had to explain the radio silence surrounding Metroid Prime 4. We’ll never know if the BadFive article forced Nintendo’s hand but we’re hoping if that were the case, maybe it will happen again.

Metroid Prime 4 seems to be aiming for an October 30th, 2020 release date according to a popular Czech online video game retailer. The release window makes sense and October 30th is a Friday, which is when Nintendo likes to drop its big games.

All we can do now is wait. Whether it’s a surprise announcement or through a Nintendo Direct, I would bet we will find out more info on Metroid Prime 4 soon.

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Great to meet you BERT – but what is it for?

BERT was designed to help Google to unscramble sets of text which include lots of words, sentences and phrases with multiple meanings.  As humans, we find it quite easy to make sense of long and complex groups of words but, this can be a little trickier for a computer.  The BERT algorithm is all about helping the computer to understand the context of these word sets.  It’s not enough for Google to get the meaning of the word ‘like’ – it also has to understand that the word has more than one meaning depending on context.  For example, the sentence ‘I like this car’ has a very different meaning to the sentence ‘This car is like a tank’.

It’s only words

Google’s latest algorithm works by using National Language Disambiguation.  It uses what? you ask. Natural Language Disambiguation works with co-occurrence which provides context and identifies connections between words.  BERT is made up of three parts which are as follows: 

Bi-directional

For the first time, BERT uses bi-directional language modeling.  Previously, Google’s algorithm could only view a word’s context window from left to right or right to left.  Clever BERT is able to not only see both the left and right hand sides but can also see the whole sentence either side of a word. 

Encoder Representations

BERT works with an ‘in and out’ mechanism – this means that what gets encoded can also be decoded for extra flexibility. 

Transformers

BERT uses innovative transformers which focus on the pronouns within a set of text and then moves back and forth in order to put the whole sentence or phrase into context.  

BERT’s resume

BERT is able to help with a number of national language tasks including: 

• Named entity determination
• Answering of questions
• Automatic summarisation
• Word sense disambiguation
• Textual entailment next sentence prediction

So, what will BERT do?

Understanding human language

BERT will make a huge difference in the way that Google’s search interprets queries as it has a much fuller understanding of the nuances of human language. 

Scaling conversational search

As well as making sense of the written word, BERT is also a whizz at understanding voice searches – something that has been massively problematic until now.  This is very much in line with the increasing number of people choosing to search the internet this way. 

Ranking adjustment

BERT’s super-sophisticated talents will mean that Google is able to provide much more accurate ranking of pages and sites.  Although this may be good news for some, it may be a concern for others!

Although the jury is still out on BERT, according to some algorithm experts, there’s no doubt that its a huge step forward for Google.  The internet has for a long time struggled with nuances of language and, in this respect, BERT is a game changer in lots of ways.

AUTHOR BIO

Zachary Hadlee is a Technology Journalist from London, currently based in Malaga. For 2 years now, he’s been writing stories about how our internet works – and how it is changing. From artificial intelligence to UX, things are happening today at a pace that can seem bewildering.

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