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TECHSWU #79
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TECHSWU
July 19, 2024
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed soft, stretchable "jelly batteries" that draw inspiration from electric eels. These batteries have a layered structure that allows them to deliver an electric current, just like electrocytes in electric eels.
The jelly batteries are made from hydrogels, which are three-dimensional networks of polymers with high water content. These hydrogels can accurately control mechanical qualities and replicate human tissue characteristics, making them suitable for soft robotics and bioelectronics.
The researchers were able to integrate stretchability and conductivity into a single material, allowing the jelly batteries to extend to more than ten times their original length without losing any of their electrical properties. The batteries are soft, conform to human flesh, and are self-healing when damaged.
They could be used for wearable devices, implanted in the brain, or for biomedical implants. Future studies will determine their viability for medical applications.
Although Prime Day 2024 has officially ended, there are still plenty of great deals on wireless earbuds available on Amazon. Some of the notable discounts include the AirPods Pro with USB-C case for $169 and the Jabra Elite 5 for less than $100.
With prices starting as low as $20, now is the perfect time to upgrade your old earbuds. The deals cover a wide range of top brands, including Apple, Beats by Dre, Jabra, and JBL.
However, not all discounted products are of high quality, so it is important to do some research before making a purchase. To make things easier, the article offers a list of the best earbud deals, all personally tested by the author.
Whether you're buying for yourself or as a gift, now is the time to take advantage of these Prime Day earbud deal
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a wearable patch that can analyze sweat and detect biomarkers. The patch, which looks like a Band-Aid, contains a hydrogel-based film with separate chemical receptacles to identify lactate, urea, and glucose levels in sweat.
The patch incorporates a tiny laser and liquid crystal droplets, which control how the laser works. When light from the laser is shined on the patch, it can detect and measure specific chemicals or substances in the body.
The patch can deliver analysis results in just a few minutes and can be read using a smartphone app. While the patch cannot currently be integrated into a smartwatch or fitness band, it offers the potential for non-invasive and convenient health monitoring.
The CES 2024 conference showcased a variety of innovative gadgets that got everyone excited. From transparent TVs to adorable little robots, there was something for everyone.
The Gizmodo team attended multiple press conferences and keynotes to explore the coolest, most interesting, and downright weirdest gadgets on display.
One of the highlights was the introduction of AI technology into everyday products, such as TVs and cars.
This integration of AI created a whole new level of functionality and convenience. Another standout was the transparent TV, which wowed attendees with its futuristic design.
But it wasn't just the practical gadgets that caught people's attention; there were also plenty of weird and wacky inventions. From quirky robots to peculiar accessories, CES 2024 delivered on the unexpected front.
Overall, CES 2024 provided a glimpse into the exciting future of technology, where AI and innovative design combine to create gadgets that are both practical and fun
Jared Leto, the Oscar-winning actor and musician, has invested in a generative AI startup called Captions, despite calls from other stars to shut down the controversial technology. Leto joined venture capitalists Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, and Adobe in investing in the company, which recently raised $60 million in new investments, valuing it at $500 million.
Captions offers several AI tools, including video editing, eye contact correction, translation, and editing. This is the second AI startup Leto has invested in this year, following his investment in Pika, which allows users to generate short videos from written prompts, images, or videos.
While generative AI has faced criticism from many celebrities, Leto and other investors believe in its potential and are supporting it financially.
A software glitch caused by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike triggered a massive technological outage, disrupting services at airlines, banks, hospitals, and emergency services worldwide. Microsoft, which hosts cloud services with businesses and governments, experienced service outages as a result.
The flaw, which affected Microsoft systems globally, caused computers to crash and left airport travelers stranded, hospital appointments delayed, and live news broadcasts cut off. More than 2,000 flights in the US were canceled, and 911 phone lines in some states were down.
The UK's National Health Service also reported widespread disruption, with doctors' appointments and patient records affected. Broadcasters, including Sky News in the UK and ABC News in Australia, experienced outages, as did the London Stock Exchange's news service and shipping operations in the Baltic region.
CrowdStrike has identified the issue and published a workaround to fix affected systems.
Apple has released a new installment of its popular Apple at Work comedy ad series, featuring the return of 'The Underdogs'. In the latest video, titled "OOO (Out of Office)", the characters use Apple products, including the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and the new Apple Vision Pro headset, to accomplish their work goals.
The ad showcases the capabilities of the Vision Pro headset, particularly its spatial computing feature that allows users to multitask across multiple windows simultaneously. The Underdogs series, which started during the summer of 2020, has garnered acclaim for its humorous take on office life and its use of Apple products.
This latest video continues the tradition of showcasing how Apple technology can enhance productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
Despite the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), a new survey conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence reveals that most large companies are struggling to implement AI in meaningful ways. The survey, which involved chief operating officers (COOs) from companies with at least $1 billion in annual revenue, found that there is a significant gap between the perceived potential of AI and its current applications in the corporate world.
Many companies are using AI for routine tasks rather than strategic decision-making or innovative product development. The survey also found that there is a clear correlation between strategic AI use and positive financial outcomes, suggesting that a conservative approach to AI implementation may limit potential returns on investment.
The survey also highlighted that the adoption of AI is changing workforce needs, with an increased demand for analytically skilled workers. Overall, the report suggests that companies who can effectively leverage AI for strategic purposes may gain a competitive advantage.
Robots are being trained to complete everyday tasks by learning from online human demonstration videos, thanks to a new framework developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Nanjing University. The framework, outlined in a paper published on arXiv, utilises videos posted online as human demonstrations of tasks such as fabric manipulation.
The approach tracks the object's motion in the demonstration video and replicates it in a simulated environment. Then, reinforcement learning is used to teach the robot how to perform the same actions.
The researchers tested their approach on the task of knotting a tie and found that the robotic manipulator was able to successfully complete it. This new framework could simplify and enhance the training of robotics algorithms and aid in the advancement of robot skills.
Pre-orders are now open for Samsung's newest flagship devices, the Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, and Buds3, in the Philippines. These foldable smartphones come with a range of AI features, such as Note Assist for translation and auto-formatting of notes, and Sketch to Image, which generates image options from drawn photos.
The phones also boast multi-camera setups, improved designs, and the promise of seven generations of OS upgrades. The Galaxy Z Flip6 can be pre-ordered until July 30 and comes with a free year of Samsung Care+ or 47% off a two-year coverage plan.
The Galaxy Z Fold6 is available for pre-order with a free year of Samsung Care+ or 50% off a two-year coverage plan. The Galaxy Buds3 earbuds, which also feature AI capabilities, can also be pre-ordered and come with a free Disney Strap Case or Clip Case.
Prices for the devices range from PHP 8,990 to PHP 130,990.
In this engaging article, Chris McCabe discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and poetry. While some writers may be concerned about AI's ability to generate written content without paying for the rights, poets are actually embracing this new technology.
Poets view AI as a creative tool and are experimenting with it to expand their art form. AI is unable to produce poetry that challenges the artistic merits of a human poet because it lacks the human touch and emotional depth that make poems resonate with readers.
However, poets are finding delightful and creative outputs with AI, using it as a collaborative tool rather than relying solely on its generated content. The article concludes by suggesting that the use of AI in poetry is a prefiguring of the literary devices that writers have always imagined.
Lotte New York Palace has teamed up with robotics company Aescape to introduce the first commercially available, fully automated AI massage experience. The ila Only Spa at the luxury hotel now offers customizable robotic massages that use advanced AI technology to create a 3-D computational model of each guest before delivering a personalized massage tailored to their body.
The 30-minute treatment is priced at $75, significantly cheaper than a 60-minute custom massage carried out by a human. Aescape has also partnered with luxury fitness company Equinox and plans to offer robotic massages at select locations throughout New York City.
The company has generated a growing waitlist of eager New Yorkers and is looking to establish further partnerships in the hospitality, sports, business, and real estate industries.
Manufacturing firms are becoming more hesitant to fully embrace generative artificial intelligence (AI), according to a report by AI firm Lucidworks. The report shows that interest in generative AI has been declining among manufacturing firms, with AI spending in this sector down by double-digit percentages from the start of the year.
The study, which surveyed over 2,500 executives at the intersection of AI and manufacturing, found that 36% of respondents were keen on keeping AI spending flat, while only 6% expressed a hesitancy towards increasing their AI investments. The waning interest can be partially attributed to concerns over the perceived risks associated with generative AI models, including response accuracy and implementation cost.
However, the report also highlights the benefits of finding a balance with AI, including improved design optimization, predictive maintenance, seamless integration with other technologies, quality control, customization, and energy efficiency.
Samsung Electronics is focusing on enhancing the user experience of their products by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with hardware. Unlike other companies that use AI as a software-based model, Samsung strives to seamlessly integrate AI into its devices.
The company has already deployed Galaxy AI on approximately 100 million devices and aims to reach 200 million by the end of the year. One notable AI feature is 'Circle to Search', which allows users to search for any object on the screen simply by circling it.
Samsung has collaborated with Google to create this feature and sustain user interest over time. Additionally, Samsung addresses concerns about data security by using a hybrid AI approach that combines on-device and cloud-based processing.
The company conducted a survey that revealed mobile AI users tend to rate their quality of life higher, highlighting the potential benefits of AI adoption. Samsung's human-centric approach and efforts to bridge the digital divide reflect their commitment to inclusive development and equitable access to AI technologies.