Meta has introduced several new features to its Ray-Ban Meta glasses, including live translation, live AI, and Shazam song identification.

Meta’s smart glasses, designed and produced in partnership with eyewear fashion giants Ray-Ban, have continued to be a focus for the tech giant, and they were highlighted at Meta Connect earlier this year.

The v11 software update has begun rolling out today (December 17), and members of Meta’s early access program (available in the US and Canada) can begin to experience the new features included, before rolling out to the wider user base.

Live AI is one of the key new features, adding Meta AI to the glasses. Users can start an AI chat session and converse easily with the glasses’ AI “more naturally than ever before” while the AI can “see what you see continuously”. Some of the use cases suggested by Meta include: “Get real-time, hands-free help and inspiration with everyday activities like meal prep, gardening, or exploring a new neighborhood.”

A key feature is during a session, the AI will remember what you have discussed, enabling users to ask follow-up questions, even interrupting the AI to do so.

Meta’s goal is to develop the live AI tool to “Eventually […], at the right moment, give useful suggestions even before you ask,” which is equal parts ominous and intriguing.

According to Meta, users will be able to use about 30 minutes of live AI on a single charge of the device.

Welcome to the future of travel

The next feature, live translation, is one of the things that makes a device like smart glasses worthwhile. Still very limited in its functionality, there’s no doubt this will become a flagship feature for the specs. The glasses will, in real-time, translate Spanish, French, or Italian into English, or vice versa. When speaking to someone who is using one of those three languages, the glasses will translate them either in text-to-speech through their speakers, or as a transcript displayed on your phone screen.

Users will have to download language pairings in advance, and also specify what language each speaker is using.

What’s playing?

A fun and useful third feature is the new Shazam integration. If you hear a song you want to identify, simply ask “Hey Meta, what is this song?” and Shazam will provide the information you seek.

Currently, Shazam on Meta glasses is only available in the US and Canada. There’s no information as to when it will be more widely available to users outside North America.

Featured image credit: Meta/Ray-Ban

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Surgeons in the United Kingdom have implanted a chip in patients to allow them to get over their sleep apnea. The condition affects an estimated eight million people in the UK; this surgery is another step in combating it.

Sleep apneas cause sufferers to have their airways blocked while resting. This can go on for minutes at a time, and potentially result in death if not treated properly. One of the only treatments is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which can be bulky and require a mask. This pumps through your airways to keep you breathing at night.

There are currently two options for patients, Genio Nyxoah and Inspire. Genio hasn’t yet been approved by US authorities, but Inspire has received FDA approval.

Sleep apnea chips surgery doesn’t sound so bad

Genio works by having a small surgery on your chin, where the chip is inserted. Rather than having an entire CPAP machine placed over your head at night, users strap a small device to the chin that talks to the chip. Using your smartphone or a remote, you can then activate it whenever you need assistance.

However, Inspire is a little more invasive than Genio. It implants a small device inside your chest and chin, which then work in conjunction with each other. Both devices stimulate the airways and tongue to move, leaving the patient without any blockages.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has conducted the first surgeries in the country but is limiting it to those who can’t use a CPAP machine for now.

This type of surgery isn’t new, however. Inspire is currently on its “V” model, with tests using its technology dating back almost a decade. While it has been around quite some time, this is one of the first times it has been widely adopted by hospitals outside of testing.

Featured image: Rawpixel, Nyxoah

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United Airlines has integrated Apple’s ‘Share Item Location’ feature for AirTag into its mobile app, aiming to help find customers’ lost luggage quicker.

It’s under iOS 18.2 that the technology giant’s feature will enable United customers who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory to privately share the location with the airline’s customer service team.

This means a link can be generated to share with the company to help locate a misplaced item more quickly and securely.

While AirTag users have been putting the device in their suitcases for a while now and have been able to follow the journey of their bags, the airline is now providing further support.

“For years, every customer has been able to track the journey of their bag through the United app as it is scanned on and off the plane, and previously, they didn’t have a way to directly share their AirTag information with our baggage team,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer in a press release.

“Now, Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access to their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice.

“They can easily and securely share that with us in the United app, and our team can use the location information to find the bag and get it reunited with its owner much more quickly.”

How does Apple’s AirTag Share Item feature work with United Airlines?

If a bag doesn’t make it to the final destination, customers can file a delayed baggage report as usual through the airline’s app.

It’s now, however, that those with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can create a Share Item Location link in the Find My app. This can be added to the delayed baggage report in the United app.

Once submitted, authorized customer service agents will receive the link and be able to view the location of the item on an interactive map. As usual, the map will update when a new location is available and show a timestamp of the most recent update.

The shared location will then be disabled as soon as a customer is reunited with their lost baggage and it can be stopped by the customer at any time. It automatically expires after seven days.

Featured Image: Credit to United Airlines press release

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External console coolers have a long history of being pointless additions. While it is important to keep your console from overheating, coolers tend to create more problems than solutions.

The latest Artic fans by SCRY seek to rise above this as the first AI-powered cooling system. But is this a product that will actually have lasting benefits, or is it just a load of hot air?

We review the SCRY Artic S PS5 Slim coolers, and Nitro Flash SSD heatsink, to help you decide if it is a must-have gadget.

Gaming Just Got Cooler

The Kickstarter project is a sign that there is a demand for an effective cooling solution. Keeping low temperatures in the PS5 is important if you are looking to prolong the lifespan of the console. While Sony has added features to keep the PS5 consoles cooler, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

There are currently three models available for each PS5 console available: Artic, Artic S, and Artic Pro.

We were sent the SCRY Artic S PS5 Slim coolers, which are sleeker in design compared to most competitors. When fitted into the back it looks like a natural extension of the console and doesn’t stick out in a way that’s intrusive.

Fitting the coolers is also hassle-free. You simply slide the wedge into the top vent at the rear end of the console, and connect the fan to the lower USB port. The cooler does feature an additional SuperSpeed USB-A 3.1 port, so you’re not sacrificing connectivity options upon installation.

The dimensions of the SCRY Arctic S cooler are approximately 11.14 inches in length, 2.76 inches in width, and 1.42 inches in height. There are four Hyper fluid fans in total, featuring a fairly basic lighting system.

The fans are encased in a black plastic chassis, which does feel rather cheap given its high price tag outside of the Early Bird sale.

Nitro Flash Heat Sink

The aluminum heat sink itself is a nice addition for those looking to fully safeguard their PS5, which entails protecting any storage data. Sony has made the latest PS5 models easier than ever to install additional SSD drives. So installing both the SSD drive and the heatsink is a relatively simple process

However, it is important to note that the heat sink is made specifically for the NVME M.2 2280 SSD and does not come with the drive. In that regard your options are rather limited if you prefer using other drives.

It’s mainly designed to be used with the Nitro Move Enclosure SSD. The drive itself boasts 10 Gbps of transfer speed and is designed to handle 100w of passthrough charging. It is also compatible with Windows PCs.

Flashy But Noisy

The main highlight of these coolers is the AI integration. Simply put, an AI thermal chip monitors the temperature of the console and adjusts fan speeds accordingly. This means that the fan’s performance will change as you play,  whether it’s navigating through the menus or loading up a game.

SCRY claims that the fans are as loud as 38 dB. However, the fans are still fairly loud when pushed to the max, especially when booting up a taxing game. The noise is noticeable even with headphones on, at least ones without noise cancellation.

This may be a deal breaker for some, particularly if you prefer playing at a desk as opposed to a lounge where you’re typically much further away from the console.

From my experience, it’s not too distracting, and something you eventually ignore when you’re engrossed in the best PS5 games. Fans and noise tend to come hand in hand and is a sacrifice you make if you’re not willing to invest in more expensive options. It’s not loud enough to be heard from another room, but players with thin walls should still be cautious.

You’ll often find that so many coolers situated at the back of the console blow air into the vents. As a result, some coolers become counterintuitive since the vents are designed to expel air and prevent overheating. The fans themselves work to pull air out of the system to boost the console’s natural airflow 30% more than standard competitors.

Smart Chill, Bigger Thrill

Every gaming gadget out there claims to improve the performance of games. While in some cases it’s technically true, the overall impact is usually too small to be noticeable. The Artic S’s effect on performance varies drastically depending on your gaming habits.

Players who occasionally hop onto games every now and then aren’t likely to see any changes to their games. If you’re someone with limited time to play, then any difference made with the fans installed is negligible at best.

Time tends to fly by when you are having fun, and these fans help ensure the fun doesn’t come at the cost of your console. SCRY’s testing showed the fans reduced the console’s temperature by 50°F, which may seem slight but can significantly prolong its lifespan. The system remained warm but ran games smoothly throughout the day.

This a great quality of life change where games would often struggle when running for this long, particularly with the heat sink on hand to prevent storage from becoming corrupted or lost. It’s a great peace-of-mind gadget that ensures your console stays in top shape for longer periods of time. It won’t elevate gameplay but will help delay any drop in performance after prolonged gaming.

Conclusion

The SCRY Artic AI-powered coolers are a great solution, with its biggest strength coming from its convenience. However, it isn’t a gadget for everyone, and its impact on performance will vary depending on individual game time.

The installation process of the fans is quick and simple, while still leaving room to build upon. The AI integration ensures it automatically handles adjustments, allowing you to focus more on enjoying the games.

The noise produced by the Hyper fluid fans can be annoying at times. Its price tag, while cheaper to pre-order, is something to consider for those on a smaller budget. Its impact on performance increases with playtime, but casual gamers likely won’t fully benefit from an external cooling system.

Overall, it’s a solid investment for gamers who prioritize performance and want to make the most out of their PS5 consoles.

The Artic, Artic S, Artic Pro, Nitro Flash Heatsink SSDs, and Nitro Move Enclosure SSDs are now available for pre-order through SCRY’s Kickstarter page, which launched on November 20 and ends on December 19, 2024. Early Bird pricing starts at $39 USD, with a full price of $79 USD. 

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Rumors from South Korea suggest that Samsung may be gearing up for some ambitious plans regarding its extended reality (XR) venture, targeting 2025 as a major milestone.

According to the South Korean outlet Sedaily, “industry sources” hint that Samsung plans to begin “mass production” of an XR product in the second half of 2025. The company reportedly sees its XR business as a possible revenue driver following its successful smartphone lineup. Speculation points to this product being Samsung’s long-rumored AR glasses.

Samsung’s production timeline indicates a possible Q3 2025 launch, with reports suggesting an initial run of about 20,000 AR glasses. That number could climb if the glasses perform well in the market. If things go according to plan, Samsung might roll out an additional batch of around 30,000 units in Q4 2025, potentially hitting a total of 50,000 devices by year-end. Of course, these figures are flexible and will likely depend on demand and other market dynamics.

Insiders also claim Samsung aims to preview a “sample” of its XR product during its January 2025 Unpacked event, giving an early glimpse of its upcoming product. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but the sneak peek could come in the form of a “short video” or maybe just an image tease. Samsung seems to be zeroing in on smart glasses similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans rather than going the Apple Vision Pro route. It’s a move that could position them uniquely in the XR space.

While the Galaxy S25 will undoubtedly steal the spotlight at Samsung’s Unpacked event in mid-January, there’s talk of a few other surprises in the mix. The Galaxy S25 Slim—a super-thin version of the S25 designed to go head-to-head with Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air.

Tech firms struggling in the XR market

Apple made its move into the XR market earlier this year with the launch of the Vision Pro in February. However, with Apple’s sales off to a slow start and LG Electronics stepping away from its XR project with Meta, it’s clear that even the biggest players in tech are finding the XR space a tough nut to crack. ReadWrite reported in June that Apple had actually halted work on its next Vision Pro headset due to slowing sales, focusing on a cheaper alternative instead.

Challenges like a lack of engaging content, bulky device designs, and sky-high prices are proving to be serious hurdles the XR industry needs to overcome to truly take off. It’s a tough landscape, even for the titans of the tech world.

Featured image: Ideogram

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The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) has now taken effect in the European Union, with the legislation introduced to enhance the security credentials of connected devices.

With the introduction of the act, the onus now falls on manufacturers to ensure products have sufficient support with customers able to benefit from guards against potential security flaws. 

This is to prevent hacking risks and other compromises, with robust software updates in place. 

CRA-compliant products can display the EU’s CE symbol to demonstrate their standards

Devices such as baby monitors, smartwatches, and home appliances will be covered by the new CRA directive, which will not be enforced in full for another three years, giving the industry time to adapt. 

In October, another EU regulator body was urged to impose stricter cybersecurity requirements on the crypto sector.

The #CyberResilienceAct enters into force today, marking a major leap forward in protecting EU citizens & businesses from cyber threats. Enhanced transparency, security requirements & consumer support coming soon! #EU #cybersecurity
read more : https://t.co/GgOtY5JeuD pic.twitter.com/r2wwZwMRP6

— CyberSec_EU (@Cybersec_EU) December 10, 2024

CRA aims to rebalance responsibility for cybersecurity

The CRA was first proposed in the European bloc two years ago, due to the notable increase in the volume of connected devices and the potential for problems to arise. Profits were potentially placed above customer security to some extent, but now all manufacturers will need to meet the required standards.

It means any products with digital components will need to be equipped for the duration of their lifespan, from concept to purchase and beyond. Retailers will also have a duty to ensure the stock they hold and supply is compliant.

By pushing back on manufacturers, the EU said it is intentionally “rebalancing responsibility” for cybersecurity issues with the simple proviso that products must meet the minimum requirements to enter the European market. 

Any companies that fail to meet the new CRA regulations could be fined up to 2.5% of global turnover, or up to $15m ($15.76m) if greater, with other penalties in place for failing to respond to regulatory correspondence. 

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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As brands prepare to close in on the end of the year, Meta has officially launched its last software update for 2024 for the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S which will see the addition of hand-tracking.

With the v72 software update, ‘Hand Tracking 2.3’ has been released with the team stating they’ve “done a lot of work this year to make the hand-tracking experience more seamless.”

The upgrade will see an enhancement in stability, accuracy, and ease of use across the board, with additional improvements in Horizon OS taking place over the next few weeks.

This will include making the hand cursor more stable and responsive when navigating the universal menu, stabilizing the cursor while pinching, improving the pinch-and-drag interaction,s and making it easier to use hands in confined spaces.

A new hand ray visualization will be added too which aims to help with locating and targeting the cursor.

“These v72 updates are the most recent (and substantial) advances in hand tracking, but it’s an area we’ve focused on a lot this year,” Meta explains in the announcement.

“For instance, you might have noticed a significant reduction in “hand stealing” —basically, Quest is now better at focusing on your hands instead of your friends’ hands, your feet, or even your cat.”

Hand tracking, remote desktop, media gallery, and more in Meta Quest 3 software update

Another major change in the Meta Quest 3 software update is the partnership with Microsoft to turn the Meta Quest 3 and 3S into an extension of the Windows 11 PC.

Once the initial setup has been completed, users can then pair the device with their Windows 11 PC quickly and easily.

Another feature is the new Media Gallery app for Horizon OS which will help to manage screenshots, video captures, and images.

The v72 software update began rolling out on Monday (December 9) but this will be gradual with certain features taking a little longer than others.

Featured Image: Credit to Meta Quest Blog

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Humane, the maker of the AI pin, has decided to pivot from its hardware aspirations to software. After a less-than-stellar launch, with it unable to complete certain advertised tasks, the Humane AI Pin has been moved aside.

It seems that the company doesn’t intend to target just one product anymore, but every product. In a new video demo, Humane shows off its vision for the “information age”. This includes baking its AI into cars, TV, and more.

The company is now trying to launch its own operating system (OS), dubbed CosmOS. It aims to “orchestrate” various artificial intelligence agents and actions by restructuring the way users interact with a device or OS.

Rather than the user interacting with each individual program and interface, the AI would do it for you through different AI Agents. Agents are specialized pieces of software aimed to make AI do a very specific job.

Humane’s CosmOS doesn’t seem to be an actual operating system

However, in the video demo – in which Humane added fine print that it was for “illustrative” purposes – Humane claims it built the OS for the Pin. The Pin actually ran on a version of Android, and in the demo appears to be an interactive AI agent layer rather than a fully fledged alternative to iOS or Android.

Building a brand-new OS is incredibly difficult, and adoption is even harder. Huawei is currently poised to ditch Android after the West ditched it due to fears of Chinese interference. HarmonyOS is expected only to succeed because 25% of Chinese phone owners are already with Huawei.

Skepticism is high with the announcement. At launch, the Humane Pin’s CosmOS struggled to pronounce and find Beyoncé songs in a video because of the accented e. The Pin itself was actually returned more than it sold during launch.

The video mostly deals with managing calendars, and appointments and listening to recipes on what appears to be a censored Amazon Alexa. It’s planned to also read emails, and what’s on the screen to provide more information.

Everything demonstrated is what Google and Apple plan to bake into their devices with Gemini and Siri. However, even early attempts through Apple Intelligence and Google Assistant updates have been met with issues, including making things up.

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Netgear has unveiled the Nighthawk M3 Mobile Hotspot Router (MH3150), its newest fast-speed mobile Wi-Fi solution. Designed to meet the increasing demand for reliable and high-performance internet connectivity, the advanced hotspot is said to provide better security features, helping with accessing the internet at anytime.

Introducing the NETGEAR Nighthawk M3 – Blazing Fast 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router! Whether you're working on-the-go or streaming at home, enjoy up to 3.6Gbps WiFi speeds, uninterrupted 5G connectivity, and advanced security features. https://t.co/Anp6NuAQbD #NETGEAR #NighthawkRouter pic.twitter.com/8R7TPqtOgn

— NETGEAR UK&Ireland (@NETGEAR_UKI) December 3, 2024

Key specifications of Netgear’s Nighthawk M3 Mobile Router

The latest addition, the Nighthawk M3, is now said to provide lightning-fast speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps over 5G and supports a maximum aggregated Wi-Fi speed of 3.6 Gbps. The M3 also has an in-home performance mode, which extends Wi-Fi coverage up to 1,000 square feet when operating without its battery.

Just like the Nighthawk M6, Netgear’s M3 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon SDX62 Mobile Platform. With dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz AX3600 Wi-Fi 6, it is expected to deliver speedy file transfers and smooth video streaming for up to 32 devices at once. Plus, its 5185mAh battery keeps users connected for up to 13 hours on a single charge.

The M3 is made to be portable and private for work, streaming, or gaming without relying on risky public networks. It’s also a backup for your home or office, stepping in to keep you online if your fixed-line broadband ever goes down.

Netgear president, David Henry, said in a statement seen by ReadWrite: “NETGEAR continues its commitment to making high-performance connectivity more accessible. With the launch of the Nighthawk M3 router, we’re delivering even more value—offering improved performance at a more competitive price point.”

Security has been an issue for Netgear. Earlier this year, ReadWrite reported that Chinese hacker group, Volt Typhoon, had attempted to cripple Cisco and Netgear devices in small businesses and homes. The threat actors targeted a vulnerability in old routers that were near the “end of their life,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Hence the latest device has VPN pass-through support and password protection.

The Nighthawk M3 is now available for pre-order, with a release date set for December 10. It’s priced at £449, likely matching the same amount in U.S. dollars.

Featured image: Netgear

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The main dream of virtual reality, ultimately, is be to just that – a virtual reality that tricks our brains into believing what is happening in front of our eyes, is what is actually happening around us for real.

We aren’t there yet although many, including myself, have experienced fleeting moments of true immersion where, just for a second or two it works, and it is like sci-fi. As a big VR fan the rest of the time I just think it is cool. VR can be exciting, educational, and even provoke strong memories, but it’s not also “immersive”.

Some of my best VR moments are not exciting. Booting into Google Earth on PCVR and going to the place I used to holiday with my parents in Ireland as a small child, seeing some of the spots we used to visit and having memories flooding back. That’s not really immersion but one of the other superpowers of VR.

The immersion we are looking at today is more adrenaline-based. It’s about taking a physical hit when you get shot in Contractors. It’s about forces powering into your body when you crash in DCS World. It’s Ready Player One basically.

Made for Meta

The Woojer Vest 3 has been around for a little while. but the recent Made for Meta version we covered in the news a couple of months ago is here and ready to be strapped on.

For many the prospect of wearing something else, when the headset can already make you hot might be a step too far but Woojer has set about making the Vest 3 as light and airy as possible. You will notice it is there when you first put it on but that feeling won’t last once you jump into a game.

Pairing is simple. Turn on your Quest 3 and Vest 3 (only just noticed everything rhymes there), head to Bluetooth connections in the Quest, and pair the Vest 3 and that is it. It is now working in harmony with Meta’s headset.

By default the vest 3 will boost up its power rating about a third of the way and the natural thing to do is to welly it all the way up. Depending on what you play the sensations here can be pretty intense. You will feel gunshots and explosions pound through your skeleton – not in an unpleasant way, but one you are unlikely to have experienced before.

At that point, you may nudge it down again, which is easy to do with controls that are easy to find even with your visor on.

In fact, you will probably find yourself fiddling with the haptic strength a lot as not all games are made the same and what is fine for some can be too gentle or even too powerful for others.

It’s all a learning curve though at first and it won’t take an age before you start to work out where your sweet spot lies.

Keen to try something that was not an obvious impact game such as a shooter I loaded up Beat Saber – a VR staple but one that’s potentially awkward because of the music. The music does in fact affect things but not in a bad way as the game is largely tied to the beat, which is the bit you can feel hitting you the most. Slicing through objects is satisfying and I am not sure I would want to play Beat Saber any other way now. It wouldn’t feel quite as visceral somehow.

Infinitely Connectable

Of course, the Woojer Vest 3 is not confined to the world of your Quest 3, even if you have the Made for Meta version (there are also versions of its little brother, the ‘Strap’ with partnerships with Call of Duty and Fortnite, as well as a black version of the vest which makes you look a bit like Solid Snake).

In fact one of the best things about the Vest 3 is that it can connect to pretty much anything. It can connect to your phone for music or YouTube, your PC for Netflix, and movies on Plex, and the like. If you think you want to connect to something, the Vest 3 can probably do it, which is really pretty cool.

I tried the scene in Jurassic Park where the T Rex is thumping along and the water in the glass is vibrating. Yes, my ribs were vibrating right alongside it. It was very cool.

The Vest 3 is charged by a USB charger and a full charge should last just under eight hours, although your mileage may vary if you just keep playing that Jurassic Park scene over and over.

If there is to be any kind of kicker, the Woojar Vest 3 is not cheap, coming in a little under $500, although there is a Black Friday deal at the moment that will net you 25% off.

If you love your gadgets and are on a permanent hunt to expand your VR horizons, then the Vest 3 is definitely something you should be looking at. Just don’t try walking through airport security with it on.

The post The Woojer Vest 3 – next-level immersion for VR and beyond appeared first on ReadWrite.

There once was a “human washing machine” that caused quite a buzz at the 1970 Japan World Expo. Fast forward over 50 years, and this quirky concept is getting a 21st-century revamp for the upcoming Osaka Kansai Expo in April.

Back in the day, Sanyo Electric Co. (now Panasonic Holdings Corp.) unveiled the original machine. While it didn’t quite make waves in the market, the idea stuck around. Now, Osaka-based showerhead maker Science Co. is bringing the concept back to life, this time infused with cutting-edge technology.

Human washing machine. This device washes users in a pod-like chamber filled with water and microbubbles that effectively remove dirt from the skin. It also monitors vital signs to personalize the washing experience, adjusting water temperature for comfort and projecting calming… pic.twitter.com/70b6C9wf2j

— Victoria (@ilupaulownia) November 24, 2024

Other companies are attempting to make inroads into the personal robotics market. In April, ReadWrite reported that Apple was reportedly developing a mobile robot designed to follow users around their homes, along with an advanced tabletop device featuring a robotic arm to move a display. Whether it will also assist with personal hygiene remains to be seen.

How and where to try out the human washing machine

Meanwhile, the futuristic “Mirai Ningen Sentakuki” (or “human washing machine of the future”) will be on display at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, which is run by the Osaka prefectural and city governments. This time, visitors will get to hop in and give it a whirl themselves.

Science Co. is also planning to launch a home-use version, so this high-tech cleansing experience could eventually become part of everyday life.

Cited by Japanese news outlet Asahi Shimbun, the company’s chairman, Yasuaki Aoyama, stated: “We’re about 70 percent there.

“We plan to offer 1,000 general visitors an opportunity to use it during the expo.”

According to Aoyama, only seven to eight lucky visitors will get to experience this futuristic “wash-and-dry” each day. If you’re intrigued, you can snag a spot by reserving through a special page on the company’s website.

The human washing machine is designed to look like the cockpit of a jet fighter, complete with a transparent cover that opens from the back. Once you sit in the center seat, the machine partially fills with warm water. Sensors embedded in the seat then track your pulse and other biological data to make sure the water temperature is just right for you.

There’s also an AI system onboard. It gauges whether you’re feeling calm or a little keyed up and projects soothing images inside the transparent cover to help you feel fully refreshed.

The whole experience, from wash to dry, takes just 15 minutes. The company’s earlier literature states that its aim is to ‘wash the mind’ as well as the body by creating the most comfortable experience possible for the user.

Featured image: Midjourney

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The Apple Watch will now be able to see the addition of a Mercedes-Benz app that allows users to interact with their vehicles from their wrists.

In a press release, the automotive company states they are aiming to enhance “the digital customer experience with the introduction” of a new app as they respond “to customer demand.”

With this, customers no longer need their smartphone for a number of tasks as several features are now accessible on their watch.

“Key functionalities and features include real-time access to vehicle range based on its current location, as well as battery or fuel levels.

“The Mercedes-Benz app on Apple Watch also enables users to remotely locate their vehicle and lock or unlock it from a distance. In addition, owners can use the app to check that the vehicle’s windows are properly closed after leaving the car.”

The company has rolled out several apps in previous years, but this is the first that can be integrated with the smartwatch. Others include a remote parking assist app, ENERGIZING app, Eco Coach, Service app, and the Mercedes-Benz Store.

What does the Mercedes Benz app on Apple Watch do?

There are a number of key features and functionalities that the app enables, including:

• Locating a parked vehicle and pedestrian route navigation to it
• Compass mode for navigation in open areas where mapping is unavailable
• Lock and unlock vehicle remotely
• Access the most important information and car status
• View information such as vehicle range, battery or fuel level

The app can be downloaded from the App Store and includes all services on one screen, making them fairly simple to access.

This comes as other car manufacturers focus on offering connected smartphone apps, like the key competitors to Mercedes.

Audi, BMW, Volvo, MINI, Porsche, Tesla and several more offer similar functions through apps, yet not all are available on Apple Watch.

Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz press release

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The tangible connection between picking up a book to read and slipping into a relaxed state is unlike any other. TV, movies, and video games all induce different emotions and require different levels of interaction with each medium and those around me. For me, when I pick up a book and settle down it means, “I am reading, leave me alone.”

These days, with kids well past the age of a bedtime story, reading is a purely solo activity and one that’s been important to me since I was a child myself.

These days, the kids don’t really read which frustrates me – they seek more visceral entertainment on consoles or TikTok. Even the modernization of reading from musty old books to the Amazon Kindle and, the device we have here today, the Boox Go 6, has failed to reel them in.

I’ve had various ebook readers for well over a decade now. I have a huge digital library, all neatly curated in Calibre, and I have found that I have discovered, read, and learned from books I would probably never have encountered since these devices became a thing.

Also, interestingly, despite being a mega nerd when it comes to having the latest gadgets on my desk, I have never been drawn to the high-end Kindles and readers. I do not need the bells and whistles to read a book. My devices have almost always been at the low end of the range. Books are incredibly low-tech entertainment. I don’t need a Kindle with a 4090 GPU to get what I need from the moment.

Kindle vs the others

So, with the scene set, step forward Boox and the Go 6. I almost started to write there that it is a Kindle competitor but stopped myself. At face value, of course, it is, but in many ways, these are not the same device, nor perhaps are they aimed at the same person.

To understand why, let’s look at the Kindle. Amazon’s readers rule the world. Tied in inseparably with the Amazon book ecosystem you buy a Kindle, you buy your books from Amazon, they appear and you read them. Rinse and repeat. Of course, you can get books from elsewhere and sync them with your Kindle, but the vast majority of Kindle owners will need to look no further than Amazon.com. And the corporation really likes that.

I don’t. I don’t like having to pay extra to remove ads from my device if I get the cheapest model. I don’t like being tied down, or at least heavily influenced as to where to get my stuff from and I don’t like the fact that year-on-year iterations of the models change so little yet the price never comes down.

I do however like simplicity and the battery life. Man, the battery life. I can put my Kindle on airplane mode and come back to it in literally six weeks and it will still be half full if I haven’t used it. That’s insane.

So if you want a reliable device that is always there for you with a virtually unlimited library of books at your fingertips – albeit all from the same mega-corporation then why look further than a Kindle? You wouldn’t. And most people don’t.

That’s where Devices such as the Boox Go 6 come in, the latest e-reader from a company that has actually been doing this since 2009. Boox is no new kid on the block and Go 6 has been honed into the kind of device keen ebook readers might want when they are fed up with being locked into Amazon’s imposing ecosystem.

The Boox Go 6

After that long preamble – we are talking reading here so that was something to read at least – let’s get down to business. The Boox Go 6 is a 6-inch monochrome e-reading device that is a smidge smaller than my 2022 basic Kindle, weighs about the same, and easily slips into the back of a jeans pocket. Fun fact, I carry mine in my back pocket in the hope that some young thief will pickpocket it and accidentally find themselves having stolen a device that might educate them. In my mind, they start reading, get interested in science, and end up changing the world.

To get the tech specs out of the way and get to the real guts – the experience – let’s gloss over the fact it comes with 32GB of onboard storage, twice that of my Kindle and also includes a slot for a memory card to expand it. The Go 6 runs on Android 11, which is a bit old, and can access things such as your OneDrive or Google Drive leading to easy access to documents as well as books.

Running on Android means you can install the Kindle app, and just about any bookstore you may use, and gives you access to your existing libraries.

You can also seamlessly copy your own books to it using ebook management software like the outstanding Calibre. Simply connect with a USB C cable to your PC and Calibre recognizes the Go 6 instantly and you can transfer what you like. Because the Boox can read 24 different formats Calibre will likely not have to convert the text before transferring the file – something I always find happening with my Kindle and then when you open the file you can find formatting errors. I haven’t seen this on the Boox Go 6.

Is flexibility a hindrance?

That last paragraph points to the Go 6’s strengths and weaknesses at the same time, depending on who you are. If you just want a simple reader, you will likely not be using something such as Calibre. You won’t care about One Drive and you certainly won’t want to dig into the settings of an Android operating system, which can be clunkier than you are used to.

On the other hand, if you are remotely techie, love Android, and a bit of fiddling around, you can turn your Boox Go 6 into something that smashes the Kindle out of the park. But you will have to play around with it to get it to your liking. Only once mind, but the out-of-the-box experience is not Amazon smoooooth.

Amazon Kindle’s simplicity comes from the high levels of lock-down on the device. There is very little to change. What you boot up is pretty much what you will use forever.

The Boox Go 6 is not that. Settings for display aren’t always intuitive. It would be nice – thinks I – if all the display settings were in the display settings section. Not so, but once you have had a poke around and learned where everything is, it matters not. With a couple of tweaks (and there are already guides on YouTube for best settings) your Go 6 will look amazing. Ghosting of text won’t be a thing, pages will flip over seamlessly and you will have found the light controls. And this is a biggie.

The Go 6 has the ability to change its backlight from the normal daylight brightness to a lovely warm paperwhite white with the push of a slider. Yes, Kindles do this, but you pay a lot more for a higher-end model. Here, you can fine-tune it to what you want it to look like and really get it to resemble an old book, which at night is hugely beneficial on the old eyeballs.

During the day, the contrast is exceptional and the little Go 6 is an absolute pleasure to read with and I think it is going to become my daily driver when it comes to being out and about.

First world problems

If there is one thing I don’t like, and I kind of hate myself for falling into this trap, is that the Go 6 takes around 30 seconds to boot up, and a bit longer to get “into book” whereas my Kindle is nigh-on instant.

I thought I was long past the point where 30 seconds was seen as a bad thing but the booting of the Android OS does make the device feel sluggish when it actually isn’t when in normal operation.

In reality, this is a huge first-world problem and I need to have a talk with myself. An e-reader doesn’t need to be instant on. I should not be outraged that I could have read an extra half page in that time, but yet it does matter.

When taken as part of the bigger picture though, the freeing liberation from Amazon, the warm backlighting, the perfect form factor, the 300dpi Carta 1300 monochrome screen, the Boox 6 Go is almost the perfect e-reader for anybody who doesn’t want a Kindle. I just wish there were more people in that bracket.

I haven’t even mentioned the optional magnetic case that just attaches itself to the Go 6 with no effort at all. FYI – I like magnets.

Conclusion

The Boox Go 6 is priced at $149.99 so it is more expensive than a Kindle Basic for sure but it’s also not a Kindle Basic. This is an e-reader for people who want to expand their options and break free. An e-reader that is kind on the eyes and one that offers things a Kindle never will. It is an e-reader for those that have outgrown a Kindle.

This device will likely not be your first ebook reader but if anything about the Amazon Kindle has ever irked you, you should immediately check out the Boox Go 6.

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Google’s upcoming tablet might be its final one, as a recent report suggests that the Google Pixel Tablet 3 project has been canceled. This means that while the rumored Pixel Tablet 2 may still launch, it likely won’t have a follow-up.

According to Android Headlines, “Multiple industry sources close to the project” have confirmed that the Pixel Tablet 3 – codenamed Kiyomi – is no longer in development.

It looks like Google made the call to cancel the Pixel Tablet 3 just last week. Sources say teams were informed through internal meetings and communications, and those who were working on the project are now being reassigned to other company initiatives.

This follows Google’s recent push into the tablet market, like the launch of the Pixel Tablet in 2023. Scrapping the Pixel Tablet 3 suggests a big shift in Google’s hardware plans. Word of this decision is already spreading, which usually signifies it’s a done deal and could even impact partnerships outside the company.

Confusion over whether Pixel Tablet 2 or Tablet 3 may be canceled

However, Android Authority believes Google has actually canceled the development of the Pixel Tablet 2 instead of Pixel Tablet 3. Sources cited by the outlet reportedly cited concerns that the company would lose money on it, and that the Kiyomi project refers to the Pixel Tablet 2.

Evidence spotted by Android Authority suggests that Kiyomi is associated with a Pixel tablet running on the Tensor G4 chip—the same one found in the Pixel 9 series. Interestingly, leaked documents from Google’s gChips team revealed that the Pixel Tablet 3 was supposed to use the Tensor G6 chip instead.

The Pixel Tablet 3 is also reportedly planned to be released in 2027, whereas the Pixel Tablet 2 was said to be expecting a release in 2025.

However, it’s not the first time that Google has canned a project. From Pixel 5 to Pixel Slate, the tech giant is known for killing products to focus on something new. In this case, they may be going all-in on foldables, having recently launched the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in September.

ReadWrite has reached out to Google for clarification.

Featured image: Google / Canva

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A new Kickstarter campaign has launched a fitting tribute to one of Rick and Morty’s best gags. The Butter Bot, a self-aware robot that is only designed to pass the butter, can now be yours.

Of course, the Butter Bot – which is planned for an August 2025 release – can do a lot more than what Rick originally intended.

It starts at $139, but paying more will get you additional modules. The companies behind the project, Geek Club and CircuitMess, haven’t announced what modules are included. However, the upgraded pack starts at $219, which includes the Geek Tools Kit Box, which currently retails at $59.

The Butter Bot is built using a small dual-core microcontroller, with an “AI camera” – similar to Raspberry Pi’s. This allows it to detect various objects and interact with them. It has a range of functions, including face detection, and can detect edges with an IR LED to stop it from crashing.

Butter Bot will also come with a remote, which will let you view the built-in camera, and take over control. It’s another small microcontroller, with an embedded screen and direct commands so you don’t have to yell at it all the time.

Rick and Morty Butter Bot doesn’t seem to actually pass butter

However, the Kickstarter features a distinct lack of actual butter passing. Instead, Butter Bot will have the option to play with you across some basic games. Flip a coin, hangman and rock, paper, scissors are just a few of the built-in games.

There are a number of stretch goals, which at the time of writing, have knocked off targets, including the $200K (dance mode) and $300K (more skins for the user interface on the controller). The $700K target will introduce a “visual block programming” language on the controller, letting users create their own actions.

As expected for a Rick and Morty-branded robot, it has smashed past the $20,000 goal and is nearing $350,000 at the time of writing. The project’s time limit is set for December 5, 4:05 pm UTC, so there’s still time for it to hit the larger goals.

Geek Club and CircuitMess have shipped eight Kickstarters already, including a Batmobile.

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The Apple AirTag 2 could be coming as soon as the middle of next year as rumors have begun to circulate.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the iPhone maker is gearing up for the launch which will take place next year. This comes after the journalist originally reported on the new plans, for the AirTag 2 which has been codenamed B589, back in May.

Now, he says the accessory has “progressed in manufacturing tests, and Apple is getting ready to bring it to market.”

The new version is expected to look similar to the current model, but offer a better range as well as improved privacy. This could make it more difficult for people to remove the speaker from the AirTag, with hopes the next tracker will be more tamper-proof.

Apple getting ready to bring AirTag 2 version to the market

Since the original AirTag was debuted by Apple, it has been used for a range of uses with its main being acting as a key finder so people can find personal objects like keys, bags, apparel, and even vehicles.

Some people even include an AirTag in their checked luggage when traveling, in case their suitcase goes awol.

When the tracker is correctly set up, it can be added to a user’s ‘Find My’ app so the owner can view the item’s current or last known location on a map. If misplaced, and the item is within Bluetooth range, the app can play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it.

The current location tracking service tends to work only over a distance of around 10 meters at best, with the second potentially including a more advanced conductor that could work over greater distances.

In May, Gurman expressed a desire to see further additions including a louder speaker, extended battery life, and battery support for wallets.

The rumors around the second edition have been swirling for some time now. Back in October last year, Apple analyst Ming-Cho Kuo set expectations for a new AirTag to land in 2025, tipping it to be fully compatible with the Apple Vision Pro.

Featured Image: Via Hideya HAMANO on Flickr

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Researchers from India have turned a pair of AirPods Pro into a hearing aid for their grandma after using a microwave oven and a Faraday cage to get around Apple’s location blocks.

Apple recently announced a software update to its AirPods Pro which enabled a Hearing Aids feature to be added. The iPhone maker explained how the product could now be used as a “clinical-grade Hearing Aid.”

The update aims to help “minimize exposure to loud environmental noise with Hearing Protection, track hearing with an at-home Hearing Test, and receive assistance for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.” But the feature was blocked in India.

Apple released a hearing aids feature for the AirPods Pro a while ago. I bought a pair for grandma, but then realized that the feature was geoblocked in India

So we at @_lagrangepoint decided to unblock it. It ended up involving a leaky microwave and building a Faraday cage: pic.twitter.com/G7E3Bl6f7W

— Rithwik Jayasimha (@thel3l) November 12, 2024

Three friends, Rithwik Jayasimha, Arnav Bansal and Rithvik Vibhu, found a way through Apple’s location restriction to enable the new feature to work after some trial and error.

Jayasimha explained the process on X, sharing how they initially thought it would be easy to conquer but “turns out that Apple checks several things, including GPS, country codes of the cellular network the devices is connected to and also – WiFi networks.”

How was the AirPods Pro turned into a functional hearing aid?

The team used a WiFi only iPad and built their own Faraday cage – a device which is used to block out electromagnetic radiation.

“We initially thought about using our microwave as a Faraday cage, but discovered our microwave was very leaky.

“Then we realized: a leaky microwave doesn’t work as a Faraday cage, but does work excellent as a jammer!

“The fact that microwaves operate at 2.4GHz made it perfect.”

Inside the box was an ESP32, which is a chip that provides WiFi, broadcasting fake SSIDs (service set identifier) from California at the iPad. This then allowed the location blocker to be bypassed in India, with the Hearing Aids feature able to be used by the researcher’s grandma.

The people involved are part of the ‘Lagrange Point’ community and will even be putting on an open house later this month for others in the area who want to replicate their findings.

Featured Image: Credit to Rithwik Jayasimha on X

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LG’s latest prototype screen is stretchy. Shown off at LG’s Science Park in Seoul, the company demonstrated the new type of display, including it being able to grow by 50 percent its original size.

The 12-inch prototype can reach up to 18 inches in size, as well as being able to display 100 pixels-per-inch (ppi), and the full RGB color. 100ppi is around 10 or so off from a regular monitor, bringing the future that ever bit closer to reality.

LG has also claimed that the new display can be stretched “over 10,000 times”, for those wondering about its resilience. Flexible displays still cause headaches with creases and potential damage from regular use.

The stretchy display might be a ways off yet, but the project has come far since it was originally shown off in 2022. Back then, it could only stretch 20% of its original size, around 14-inches.

LG presses forward with stretchy displays where others haven’t

Of course, this isn’t the first time a stretch-based screen has been shown off. In 2021, Royole showed off its own micro-LED stretchable display – similar tech to what LG is using – but was considerably smaller. The 2.7-inch demo unit could reportedly reach 130% of its original size.

Samsung appears to be the first to the technology though. The South Korean company did have a live demo in 2017, where it showed an OLED panel rising up and down.

There’s been no real product brought forward by any of the companies developing the tech, however. Currently, it’s been theorized that the stretchy screens could be used in medical or extreme conditions. In the press release, LG states that the display can withstand “extreme environments such as exposure to low or high temperatures and external shocks”.

As of right now though, it appears to be a demo and nothing more. While flexible screens have become the norm on mobile, LG sold a rollable TV, the Signature R, for the last few years. The $100,000 device was unceremoniously killed off this year, with a transparent panel set to take over in the Signature range.

Featured image: LG

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Matter, the smart home interoperability standard by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, has released the latest 1.4 version of its framework to device makers.

The marquee upgrade in the 1.4 version of Matter is its newly improved ‘Enhanced Multi-Admin’. Multi-Admin has been central to Matter’s plans for interoperability between different home automation devices and standards, allowing users to connect different brands of home automation seamlessly in an ecosystem that Matter calls a ‘Fabric’.

However, it has been plagued with issues since its launch, particularly about setup. Users frequently faced frustrations when pairing new devices, and struggled with different setup processes between brands and devices.

The ‘Enhanced Multi-Admin’ promised by Matter 1.4 claims to tackle many of these issues. Now, when a user pairs a smart home device to their ‘main’ Fabric, it will automatically be added to other Fabrics that have been authorized. So, a device that is added to Fabric A can be automatically synced to Fabric B.

This brings the feature in line with how many people expected it to work at launch. However, the delay has allowed Matter to ensure they can deliver what customers want with the level of security they require.

Matter 1.4 also expands the standard’s energy management options. It adds support for additional device types including solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers. Users can now set devices to draw energy at specific times, such as off-peak hours to save money.

What is Matter?

Put simply, Matter is a home automation framework standard that helps smart home devices from different brands work together more easily. It means that if a user likes different devices from different companies, they can integrate them into a single smart home setup.

For example, if a device like a smart bulb is matter-compatible, users can operate it with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or any of the other smart home speakers out there.

More than 50 tech companies are part of the Connectivity Standards Alliance and are committed to ensuring compatibility with Matter, which is open-source and royalty-free.

Development is ongoing to continue to improve Matter. Earlier this year Amazon announced its video streaming platform as the first to be compatible with Matter Casting, allowing users to easily cast Amazon videos to other smart home screens.

ReadWrite reached out to Google, Amazon, and Apple to find out whether they intend to integrate Matter 1.4’s features into their devices, and when consumers will begin to see them in action.

An Amazon spokesperson told us: “The Matter 1.4 update will start rolling out to supported Echo and eero devices early next year. Over time, we’ll continue to add support for new features and Matter device types as device makers release new products.”

Featured image credit: Ideogram

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Apple is reported to be looking into the smart glasses market, as a new initiative named ‘Project Atlas’ is said to have gotten underway last week.

This follows reports from tech analysts at Techloy just a few weeks ago who said the iPhone maker could be working on four new AR and mixed-reality products, as well as a new attempt at smart glasses.

Now, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests a new internal study has been launched which involves gathering feedback from Apple employees on smart glasses.

According to the report, focus groups are planned for the near future with the study led by Apple’s Product Systems Quality team which is part of the hardware engineering division.

The group is said to have written an email to select employees at its headquarters in Cupertino, writing: “Testing and developing products that all can come to love is very important to what we do at Apple.

“This is why we are looking for participants to join us in an upcoming user study with current market smart glasses.”

Bloomberg has previously reported the company has been considering a move into the market, with this being the latest update on the matter.

Apple smart glasses rumors swirl after Meta unveils prototype

Previously, the company released its Vision Pro headset which is bulky and costly with a hefty $3,500 price tag. If the reports are accurate, a more streamlined and everyday version of AR glasses could be in the plans.

This news comes two months after Meta debuted its augmented reality glasses ‘Orion’. While these aren’t yet ready for production, the company pulled back the curtain for the first time and showed the product prototype.

The company dubbed them “the most advanced pair of AR glasses ever made,” and they are very sleek in design with them being just slightly thicker than normal glasses.

The hope is that these will bridge “the physical and virtual worlds, putting people at the center so they can be more present, connected and empowered in the world.”

If Apple does continue with suggested plans, the two technology giants could be facing off in the AR glasses market.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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