Browsing: Consumer & Gadgets

Researchers at Cornell University have raised concerns about the implications of augmented reality (AR) glasses, which allow wearers to search for information, manipulate images, or even record conversations. They emphasize that this technology creates a significant power imbalance between the wearer and the person being observed. While most current research on AR glasses focuses on enhancing the user experience, a team from the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and Brown University investigated the effects of this technology on interpersonal interactions. Their findings revealed that although wearers felt less anxious using the devices, the experience was…

Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled the world’s first triple-folding phone on Tuesday, priced at over three times that of the latest iPhone, just hours after its US competitor launched its own AI-focused handset. The Mate XT was introduced during a keynote presentation by Huawei executive Richard Yu at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen. Originally intended as a premium device for a niche market, the Mate XT attracted significant interest, with more than three million registrations ahead of its launch. The phone is set to hit the market on September 20, starting at a staggering $2,800—more than three times the price…

On Wednesday, Meta showcased updates to its virtual reality headset and Ray-Ban smart glasses, highlighting its advancements in artificial intelligence and the evolution of computing platforms beyond traditional smartphones and computers. CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced Orion, which he described as “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.” He acknowledged the significant technical challenges involved in creating these holographic augmented reality glasses, emphasizing that they needed to be lightweight and wire-free, weighing under 100 grams (3.5 ounces). Besides standard interaction methods like voice and hand gestures, Orion features a “wrist-based neural interface,” enabling users to send signals from their…

If you’re a paid subscriber to ChatGPT, you might have noticed that the artificial intelligence (AI) model has recently begun to sound more human during audio interactions. This change is due to OpenAI’s limited pilot of a new feature called “advanced voice mode.” According to OpenAI, this mode “features more natural, real-time conversations that pick up on and respond to emotion and non-verbal cues.” The company plans to roll out this advanced voice mode to all paid ChatGPT subscribers in the coming months. The advanced voice mode delivers a strikingly human-like experience, eliminating the awkward pauses typical of voice assistants.…

Apple’s ubiquitous iPhone is on the verge of a significant transformation as it shifts toward artificial intelligence, enhancing its often lackluster Siri assistant and enabling real-time custom emoji creation. This new era is set to launch on Monday with the highly anticipated unveiling of the iPhone 16 in an auditorium named after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who first showcased the original iPhone in 2007, predicting its societal impact. Since then, Apple has sold billions of iPhones, generating approximately $3 trillion in shareholder wealth. However, the past decade has seen mostly incremental upgrades between models, prompting many consumers to delay purchasing…