Brian Heater, Author at TechCrunch

Google DeepMind develops a ‘solidly amateur’ table tennis robot

Brian Heater — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 16:14:43 +0000

During testing, Google DeepMind's table tennis bot was able to beat all of the beginner-level players it faced.

Looking Glass’ new lineup includes a $300 phone-sized holographic display

Brian Heater — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The Looking Glass Pro has a 6-inch display and a foldable base. It shows spatial images like those created with the Apple Vision Pro and iPhone 15 Pro.

Cocoon is transforming steel production runoff into a greener cement alternative

Brian Heater — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Cocoon is a new startup built on the belief that greener steel production and the creation of concrete slag doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition.

Made by Google 2024: How to watch Google unveil the Pixel 9, a new foldable and more

Brian Heater — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:10:25 +0000

Made by Google 2024 kicks off at 10 a.m. PT on August 13. Get ready for a slew of new hardware, including the Pixel 9 and a new foldable.

Nothing’s $399 Phone 2a Plus hits the US through a beta program

Brian Heater — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 17:03:37 +0000

As has been the case with Nothing's other handsets, there are a few hoops required to purchase the device in the U.S.

Google Assistant lives to automate another day

Brian Heater — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 20:16:38 +0000

With new Pixel devices just over the horizon, Assistant’s days on Android may still be numbered. For the time being, however, it still has a place on the home.

Made by Google 2024: Pixel 9, Gemini, a new foldable and other things to expect from the event

Brian Heater — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 17:58:08 +0000

Google unveiled the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 and Google TV Streamer. It's expected to announce four Pixel devices, including the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

Chromecast is dead. Meet Google TV Streamer

Brian Heater — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:35:21 +0000

Google revealed its newest set-top streaming box, Google TV Streamer, which will replace the Chromecast. It doubles as a smart home hub.

X files antitrust suit against advertising groups over ‘systematic illegal boycott’

Brian Heater — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:25:10 +0000

X Ceo Linda Yaccarino claims that GARM's "illegal behavior of these organizations and their executives cost X billions of dollars."

After nine years, Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat gets an AI makeover

Brian Heater — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 13:45:56 +0000

It’s no coincidence that the new Learning Thermostat arrives as Google is amping up work on its generative AI model, Gemini.

Figure’s new humanoid robot leverages OpenAI for natural speech conversations

Brian Heater — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Figure 02 is outfitted with speakers and microphones to speak and listen to people at work.

Trade My Spin is building a business around used Peloton equipment

Brian Heater — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Trade My Spin has pieced together a logistics network capable of offering same or next day delivery in most major cities in the continental U.S.

iPad sales help bail out Apple amid a continued iPhone slide

Brian Heater — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 21:31:50 +0000

In spite of a drop for the quarter, iPhone remained Apple’s most important category by a wide margin.

Neura shows off humanoid robot 4NE-1

Brian Heater — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:53:28 +0000

This week’s video shows 4NE-1 doing a lot; in some sense, it’s doing more than we’ve seen from other humanoids in the space.

A tale of two foldables

Brian Heater — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Samsung is still foldables’ 500-pound gorilla, but the company successes have made the category significantly less lonely in recent years.

Alphabet X spinoff partners with Arc’teryx to bring ‘everyday’ exoskeleton to market

Brian Heater — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 16:26:46 +0000

Skip, a wearable tech startup that began as a secretive project inside Alphabet, exited stealth this week to announce a partnership with outdoor clothing specialist Arc’teryx. The deal is the first to bring Skip’s technology to market: “powered pants” that utilize a soft exoskeleton. The tech, called MO/GO, short for “mountain goat,” is a hybrid […]

Researchers are training home robots in simulations based on iPhone scans

Brian Heater — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 20:00:14 +0000

Researchers at MIT CSAIL this week are showcasing a new method for training home robots in simulation.

Elon Musk sets 2026 Optimus sale date. Here’s where other humanoid robots stand.

Brian Heater — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 20:10:23 +0000

Tesla was not the first company to begin working on a humanoid form factor, but while being the first to market does carry weight in this high-tech space, we’re at the very beginning of the humanoid robot story.

Former Tesla humanoid head launches a robotics startup

Brian Heater — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In spite of maintaining stealth until now, Mytra has already drummed up interest with big names. The startup has a pilot with grocery giant Albertsons, among others.

Former Velodyne CEO’s delivery robot startup is ditching LiDAR for foundation models

Brian Heater — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Vayu Robotics is working to make delivery robotics cheaper and more scalable. Ditching LiDAR is a piece of that puzzle.