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TECHWU #97
TECHSWU
August 19, 2024
Researchers from Cambridge University have developed stretchable batteries inspired by the muscle cells of electric eels. The batteries are made from hydrogels, which are soft materials made from a structure of polymers hydrated with water.
The hydrogels are unexpectedly tough and can self-heal when damaged. The batteries have reversible bonds between the different layers of hydrogel, allowing them to be stretched without losing their electrical conductivity.
Typically, conductivity and stretchability are at odds with each other, but the jelly batteries are able to conduct electricity with charged ions instead of electrons, making them flexible and suitable for soft robotics, bioelectronics, wearable electronics, and biomedical implants. The development of these eel-inspired stretchable batteries represents an important advancement in the field of wearable electronics and soft robotics.
Upgrade your laptop's screen display with one of the best OLED laptops available in the UAE for 2024. OLED screens offer bright colors, deep blacks, smoother motion scenes, and high contrast, providing an immersive viewing experience.
The Dell XPS 9530 is the best overall option with its fast performance, brilliant OLED touch screen, excellent graphics card, and premium build. The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a great budget option with its thin and lightweight design, fast performance, vivid display, and good port array.
For a hybrid laptop, consider the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360, which features a slim and lightweight design, a stunning 3K AMOLED display, fantastic battery life, and a convertible form factor. Gamers will appreciate the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 with its elegant and lightweight design, powerful performance, brilliant OLED panel with G-Sync support, and long battery life.
Finally, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook offers a superb OLED display, high-quality camera system, detachable keyboard, and great battery life. Upgrade your laptop's display and enjoy a more true-to-life and immersive viewing experience.
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that will automatically block messages from unknown contacts. The feature aims to enhance user security and privacy by preventing spam, phishing attacks, and other forms of malicious content that often originate from unknown contacts on the platform.
Users will also have the option to set a limit on the number of messages they can receive from an unknown contact within a certain period. Once this limit is exceeded, WhatsApp will automatically block all future messages from that account.
In addition to improving security, the feature is expected to improve the overall performance of the app by reducing the amount of spam and unwanted messages that can overload the platform. Scammers often use WhatsApp as a means of communication, and this new feature aims to mitigate the risks associated with malicious content that could compromise both device performance and data security.
The feature is currently being developed and is expected to be rolled out in future updates.
Realme Philippines has announced the upcoming release of its latest smartphone lineup, the realme 13 Pro Series 5G. Building on the success of previous models, the company is generating anticipation through a teaser post on its official Facebook page.
The new series will feature realme's first-ever Ultra Clear Camera with AI, combining cutting-edge camera innovations with striking design elements. The smartphone is specifically targeted towards young users who want to capture and interpret the world around them.
In a departure from previous collaborations with popular culture brands, realme has partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for the design of the 13 Pro Series 5G. The models will come in exclusive colorways inspired by the works of Claude Monet, utilizing state-of-the-art flash gold technology.
This artistic approach reflects realme's tradition of incorporating unique cultural elements into its products. Stay tuned for the official launch announcement on realme's Facebook page.
TCL has launched the C655 QLED TV, a ground-breaking television designed to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience. The TV features cutting-edge QLED technology, offering an ultra-high color gamut and vivid contrast for a more immersive and realistic viewing experience.
It also includes Full Array Local Dimming and 4K HDR PRO 600 technology for precise colors and fine details, as well as Game Master 3.0, HDMI 2.
1, Auto Low Latency Mode, and a 120Hz Game Accelerator for a responsive gaming experience. The C655 is equipped with integrated ONKYO stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos technology for a cinematic audio experience.
It also comes with Google TV for curated content and hands-free Google Assistant for voice commands. The TCL C655 is available in various sizes to suit different home environments and preferences.
The growing shortage of caregivers for the elderly may be filled by bionic nannies, according to experts in the industry. With advancements in technology and the improving cost-benefit ratio of such robots, the idea of comprehensive robotic caregivers may become a reality in the near future.
China, with nearly 300 million people aged 60 and older, is particularly in need of these innovative solutions as the elderly population is expected to reach 400 million by 2040. Currently, there is a scarcity of human caregivers due to low pay, making the adoption of robotic caregivers even more essential.
Chinese companies, such as iFlytek, Zuowei Tech, and Fairyon Humanoid Tech, are already investing in research and development of robotic care products for the elderly. The Chinese government has also released guidelines to encourage the development of the "silver economy," including the use of wearable devices, service robots, and virtual reality experiments.
With the integration of advanced technology, such as robotics and artificial intelligence, the quality of care for the elderly is expected to greatly improve in the coming years.
The progress of AI-powered technology is raising concerns about whether it will replace apparel workers. While AI has the ability to perform tasks such as designing, supply chain management, and predicting future demand, the impact on sewing is uncertain.
Industry insiders believe that while AI can help with tasks such as fabric cutting, it is unlikely to replace humans in the sewing process. Sewing requires a human touch and expertise that robots currently lack.
Though there are startups working on developing robots that can handle the delicate job of sewing, these innovations have yet to attract apparel entrepreneurs or brands away from offshore sourcing locations. In the retail industry, AI is being used to enhance operations and improve the shopping experience.
However, with the technology still in its early stages, there is no clear answer on whether AI will ultimately replace apparel workers or simply augment their work.
The aviation industry has achieved a significant milestone in safety, with only one death for every 13 million passengers. This remarkable statistic reflects the effectiveness of the safety measures implemented by airlines and international regulatory bodies.
Technological innovations such as automatic flight control systems and advanced simulations have played a crucial role in enhancing safety standards. Additionally, rigorous training for pilots and flight attendants has prepared them to handle any emergency situation that may arise during flights.
As the aviation industry looks to the future, it continues to invest in new technologies and advanced training to further improve safety standards. This includes the integration of drones for monitoring aircraft and the development of globally standardized operating procedures.
By supporting innovation and education, we can ensure that flying remains the safest form of transportation.
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus offers several upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Phone 2a. While it doesn't have a larger display like most "Plus" models, it focuses on improvements in performance, camera quality, charging capabilities, and design.
Design-wise, the Phone 2a Plus features metallic accents and a premium feel despite its all-plastic construction. The smartphone retains the same glyph light interface and bezel design as the standard model.
The front-facing camera has been upgraded to 50MP, offering sharper and more natural images, while the dual 50MP rear camera setup performs similarly to the Phone 2a. The Plus model is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip, which provides smooth performance and improved thermal management.
The battery life is impressive, and the phone supports 50W fast charging. Overall, the Phone 2a Plus offers notable improvements, but the standard model remains the better value for money.
In this week's tech roundup, Kim Kardashian partnered with Beats to release a new line of headphones called Beats Studio Pros. The headphones come in three different colors, featuring Kardashian's signature neutrals.
Fujifilm also celebrated its 90th anniversary by launching two limited edition INSTAX MINI EVO Cameras. The cameras come in "Dark Silver" and "Titanium Gold" and pay homage to Fujifilm's legacy while offering modern technical capabilities.
Additionally, Google announced its latest hardware at the annual Made by Google event, including the new Pixel 9 lineup and the Gemini Live AI, which will replace Google Assistant. Lastly, popular social media platform TikTok rolled out group chats, allowing users to create chats with up to 32 people.
Tesla is hiring workers to help train its humanoid robot, Optimus, by wearing motion-capture suits and collecting data on the movements and actions of the robots. The workers will simulate the movements while the robots carry out the same actions with real objects.
The job requires workers to be able to walk for over seven hours a day and are expected to be between 5'7" and 5'11" tall to operate the motion-capture suits. They will be paid between $25.
25 and $48 per hour. Tesla announced the development of Optimus in 2021 as part of its efforts to automate work in its factories.
The project aims to complete factory tasks that are unsafe, repetitive, or boring. While Tesla's automation efforts have been delayed, the company has made progress with the Optimus project, with plans for internal production next year and sales to other companies by 2026.
Food delivery company Zomato has announced that it will remove artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images of dishes from restaurant menus following complaints from customers. Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal acknowledged that AI-generated food images are misleading, leading to a breach of trust, higher complaint and refund rates, and lower ratings.
In a social media post, Goyal encouraged restaurant owners to reach out to Zomato if they have not invested in real food shots for their menus. The move comes as Zomato aims to enhance efficiency within its company using various forms of AI.
However, the use of AI-generated dish images has proven to be problematic, causing Zomato to actively remove them from its platform.
The use of robotics in semiconductor manufacturing is on the rise, as AI and robotics take on more complex and autonomous tasks. Static robots have long been used in fabs, but now collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and autonomous humanoid robots are being introduced to meet growing demands.
These robots can perform tasks autonomously that would otherwise be done manually by humans, improving efficiency and safety. They can handle delicate materials, learn from experience, and adapt to new situations.
While the integration of robotics into fabs presents challenges such as the upfront investment and integration with legacy systems, the potential benefits are significant. Robots can improve productivity, reduce downtime, and address labor shortages.
As robotics and AI continue to evolve, their role in semiconductor fabs will expand, driving greater levels of automation and efficiency.
Ananya Panday has introduced her squad of friends and co-stars who bring comfort, chicness, and chaos to her life in the upcoming series "Call Me Bae." The series, set to premiere on Prime Video on September 6, follows the journey of Bella "Bae" Chowdhary, played by Panday, as she transitions from heiress to hustler and discovers that her street smarts and style are her most valuable assets.
Her squad includes Muskkaan Jaferi as Saira, a confident and young girl who becomes Bae's first friend in her new life; Niharika Lyra Dutt as Tamarrah, a workaholic journalist who befriends Bae at her first job; Varun Sood as Prince, Bae's ex-trainer who is both super-fit and a techie geek; Gurfateh Pirzada as Neel, Bae's mentor and friend; Vihaan Samat as Agastya Chowdhary, Bae's love interest; and Vir Das as Satyajit Sen, a top news anchor who clashes with Bae. The trailer for "Call Me Bae" will be released on August 20.