Technology

Robots Have Chubby Faces (and Smiles), According to New Research
Technology

Robots Have Chubby Faces (and Smiles), According to New Research

More news - Breaking news In Japan, engineers are working to create robots that can mimic human expressions, particularly smiles. They developed a face mask using human skin cells, which they attached to robots using a new technique that hides the bond and is flexible enough to form expressions such as a grimace or a slight smile. The look is a mix between the disturbing Hannibal Lecter mask and the claymation character Gumby. However, scientists believe that these prototypes could lead to more advanced robots. These robots would have a durable, elastic outer layer that protects the machine while making it more human-like. The “skin equivalent,” as researchers call it, is made in the lab from living skin cells. This skin can scar, burn, and even heal itself, according to a study publ...
How to Make Digital Photos Look Old on Your Smartphone
Technology

How to Make Digital Photos Look Old on Your Smartphone

More news - Latest news Like the allure of vinyl records, classic video games, and even the early Internet, the fascination with old photographic standards like point-and-shoot cameras and 35-millimeter film endures, even among people too young to remember when that equipment was cutting-edge art. The allure of “vintage” photography goes beyond nostalgia and Instagram filters, judging by the huge number of apps designed to emulate the film stock, lenses, and visual quirks of pre-digital photos and films. Despite the irony of using a high-end smartphone's camera to produce imperfect images that appear oversaturated, shaky, low-contrast, unfiltered, or otherwise analog, opting for a retro look can help you practice your compositional skills . If you're not ready to buy the original eq...
Supreme Court sides with Biden administration in social media case
Technology

Supreme Court sides with Biden administration in social media case

More news - News 24 hours The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden administration in a case involving social media, scoring a significant practical victory. The ruling rejected a Republican challenge that sought to prevent the government from communicating with social media platforms to combat misinformation. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that the plaintiffs, including states and individuals, did not suffer direct damages that would have entitled them to sue. This decision leaves unresolved broader questions about the First Amendment's limits on government influence over tech companies, which control much of the flow of information online. The case arose from the government's efforts to encourage social media platforms to remove posts on topics such as COVID-19 vaccines an...
AI-Powered Phones and Computers: A Convenience Boon, But a Privacy Challenge?
Technology

AI-Powered Phones and Computers: A Convenience Boon, But a Privacy Challenge?

Related media - Recent news Tech giants such as Apple, Google and Microsoft are racing to develop smartphones and computers powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These devices promise to make our lives easier by automating tasks like editing photos or scheduling meetings. But there's a problem: they require a lot of data from us. More data, more convenience, less privacy? These new AI capabilities come at the cost of increased data collection. The companies envision Windows PCs taking screenshots every few seconds, iPhones merging data from various apps, and Android phones analyzing calls in real time to detect scams. This raises privacy concerns. To offer personalized services, AI needs a more complete picture of our digital lives, which means providing companies with deepe...
California proposes 30 AI regulatory laws amid federal gridlock
Technology

California proposes 30 AI regulatory laws amid federal gridlock

Related media - Recent news California lawmakers last month advanced about 30 new AI measures aimed at protecting consumers and jobs, one of the largest efforts yet to regulate the new technology. The bills aim to impose the toughest nationwide restrictions on artificial intelligence, which some technologists warn could kill entire categories of jobs, throw elections into chaos with misinformation and pose national security risks. California's proposals, many of which have won broad support, include rules to prevent AI tools from discriminating in housing and health services. They also aim to protect intellectual property and jobs. The California legislature, which is expected to vote on the proposed laws by Aug. 31, has already helped shape U.S. tech consumer protections. In 2020...
The young people have spoken: wallets are not cool.  Go digital.
Technology

The young people have spoken: wallets are not cool. Go digital.

More news - Recent news In a survey that asked just over 2,500 Americans about digital payments, about 80% of Gen Z respondents said they use mobile wallets, and among them, half were eager to use their phone much more than pay, according to recent data. from Pymnts Intelligence, a research firm that studies trade. Younger people are increasingly using their phones for purposes that older adults would use a traditional wallet for, such as carrying around documents like driver's licenses, boarding passes and event tickets. Some of these digital items can be added to Apple and Google's Wallet apps, while others, like insurance cards, can be downloaded through third-party apps. The change in behavior reflects the journey mobile wallets have taken. About a decade ago, when I talked ab...