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Rabbit’s r1 refines chats and timers, but its app-using ‘action model’ is still MIA

Devin Coldewey — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 20:29:41 +0000

A new "beta rabbit" mode adds some conversational AI chops to the Rabbit r1, particularly in more complex or multi-step instructions.

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.

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.

H3X scales up its electric aerospace ambitions with $20M in new funding

Devin Coldewey — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:45:00 +0000

Many industries that rely on legacy energy sources are aiming to electrify or at least streamline their operations, but for countless use cases, the tech just isn’t there. H3X is changing the game with electric motors so compact and efficient that the aerospace and marine world — not to mention investors — are taking notice. […]

UK’s Riverlane scores $75M to correct quantum errors

Ingrid Lunden — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 06:21:07 +0000

Quantum computing may still largely be in the theoretical domain, but the money that it’s attracting is very real.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway sells half its Apple stock

Anthony Ha — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 20:15:36 +0000

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway cut its Apple holding by around half, to $84.2 billion, according to an SEC filing. While Apple remains the firm’s largest stock holding by far, Buffett had already reduced its stake by 13% earlier this year, hinting that he didn’t mind selling “a little Apple” for tax reasons. Berkshire Hathaway made […]

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.

How Back Market built a marketplace of refurbished tech

Dominic-Madori Davis, Rebecca Szkutak — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 17:33:02 +0000

The popularity of refurbishing technology has only increased these past few years and with it, the understanding of how important sustainability is in the industry. Studies estimate that simply throwing away old tech products can contaminate the soil and drinking water, harming the environment and requiring an increase of material products that only further exploit […]

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon chip aims to bring 5G to sub-$100 devices

Jagmeet Singh — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chip to 5G smartphones in the sub-$100 price segment in India and other emerging markets.

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.

Max Space reinvents expandable habitats with a 17th-century twist, launching in 2026

Devin Coldewey — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Max Space's expandable habitats promise to be larger, stronger, and more versatile than anything like them ever launched, not to mention cheaper and lighter by far than a solid, machined structure.