If there’s a problem with the world of ambient computing we’re all expected to live in, it’s that you can’t really be discreet. Most commands to your voice assistant of choice have to be spoken at a volume slightly higher than you would speak to another person. That’s the societal ill VTouch, a South Korean company, has chosen to tackle with its WHSP Ring. It’s a ring with a proximity sensor and microphone that activates when you raise it to your mouth. So when you want to talk to your assistant, you can simply mutter toward your knuckle and have it understand you. I saw a brief demo on the first day of CES 2024 here in Las Vegas.
The idea is that you’ll utilize VTouch’s own app, which will offer a number of AI assistants to aid you. This includes, in the example shown to me, an AI Art Curator or even a digital Psychiatrist, all of which can be accessed from your phone. You can also interact with your smart home, setting all of the usual parameters from the comfort of your hushed tones. It’ll last for around a day and a half on a single charge, while the charging case you can take around with it will extend the life by up to nine days. Any responses will, of course, be pumped through your headphones, enabling you to “chat” to your assistant. There’s even a button that, if tapped five times at once, will trigger a system to alert your contacts of an emergency and record ambient sound.
Touch is planning to launch WHSP Ring as a Kickstarter in the near future, but there’s no word yet on how much you could expect this thing to cost or when you can get your hands on one.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-ring-lets-you-whisper-to-your-phone-because-sometimes-we-need-to-use-our-inside-voices-002529204.html?src=rss
EVs, like me after the holidays, have a tendency to bloat at the slightest provocation, which is why I can’t fit into those size 34 jeans. The big issue for electric cars is heavy batteries force cars to grow in size to accommodate them. Of course, the heavier the load, the more power is needed to keep going, forcing you into a vicious cycle. Even a small city car like the original Smart has, in its latest electric version, grown into a grotesque parody of its predecessor. Which is why there’s a lot of hope riding on truly small EVs, like Squad Mobility’s solar-powered car that’s designed not to grow too big to fit inside a city.
The company was founded by Chris Klok and Robert Hoevers, who met while working on the Lightyear solar car. Klok was chief vehicle engineer of that project, while Hoevers was previously involved with NIO’s Formula E team. But they left Lightyear to help develop a small, solar-powered car that would offer affordable and clean mobility for dense cities. And while it’s just got a few prototypes to show off, like the one here at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, it’s expecting to begin production in 2025. Even better, many of its existing pre-order customers are based in the US, given the need for a car like this in those communities that exclusively rely on golf carts to get around.
The Solar City car has a 250Wp panel in its roof, which is designed to generate enough power for a few short trips each day. The company says that, in Las Vegas, you could expect to travel for around 13 miles purely from the energy collected from the panel. (You can plug it in to an outlet if you really need to.) With a kerb weight of 794 pounds, it’s light and efficient enough to get you around short distances without much stress. Of course, the speed is limited — and you’ll only get around 25mph out of the 4kW motor, but if you live in a big city and just need to get to work, or pick up some groceries, that’s probably all you need.
You might expect the car to be poky, but the high roofline and low floor means it’s surprisingly comfortable. The prototype here has some quirks — like acceleration and brake pedals that are a bit too close to the seat — which will be eliminated in the production version. There’s even a rear load space big enough for a suitcase or a couple of decently-sized bags, and the prominent tires mean you could even tackle rough terrain in short doses. The fact it measures just 6.6 feet long means you can park it sideways and it’ll take up the same amount of room as most cars, too.
We’re still a year out from seeing the production model of this car, but there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful. The company expects the retail price to be $6,250 excluding sales tax, making it ideal as a city runaround or second (or third) car. That said, the figure does exclude the cost of the doors which, like AC, count as an optional extra.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/squad-mobilitys-tiny-solar-powered-ev-is-a-dream-for-crowded-cities-235540577.html?src=rss
EcoFlow has arrived at CES 2024 in Las Vegas to show off its largest and most useful home battery backup solution, the Delta Pro Ultra. It’s calling the hardware a “smart hybrid whole house battery generator and backup” that will draw power from a wide variety of sources. You’ll be able to charge it from either high or low-output solar panels, from the grid, or even juice it up from a gas powered generator. (But also, don't do that unless lives are on the line, please, the planet can't handle it.) The Delta Pro Ultra also vastly increases how much power you can keep on hand at any one time. The existing Delta Pro can scale — with additional batteries — up to 25kWh but, if your wallet is thick enough, you can equip the Ultra with 90kWh of batteries, which the company says should be enough to keep your home’s essentials running for up to a month.
In fact, the theme of this hardware is supersized capaciousness since every element of it has been built to service the most extravagant McMansions. For instance, the solar input can take up to 16.8kW of power at a time, letting you wire up to 42 400W panels at a time. Combined with the ability to draw extra power from the grid when energy costs are low and you should see the initial outlay paid back fairly quickly. And the company says output runs from 7.2kW — enough to run a Central Air unit — all the way through to 21.6kW with enough additional gear, which should be enough to power most key appliances in your home.
On its own, the Ultra is plug-and-play, although if you want to take advantage of its higher outputs and deeper integration with the home, you’ll have to buy its Smart Home Panel 2. That will of course require the services of a qualified contractor but, even so, the company says that installation is pretty clean and tidy. Not to mention that it’s nice and quiet when outputting less than 2,000W to help avoid complaints from the neighbours.
If you’re looking to splash out on a new whole house battery backup system, the Delta Pro Ultra is available to order starting today. For the first month, the inverter and battery will set you back $4,999, while the Smart Home Panel 2 costs an extra $1,599 when bought separately. Not to mention you can snag both in a bundle for $6,399 until February 9, when prices for all three will leap up to their RRP of $5,799 (Ultra), $1,899 (Panel 2) and $7,499 (bundle).
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ecoflow-delta-pro-ultra-is-a-home-battery-that-can-harvest-power-from-42-solar-panels-190032452.html?src=rss
Formlabs has rolled up to CES 2024 in Las Vegas with its customary bundle of announcements for its class-leading 3D printers. The company unveiled several new tools and materials at this year's show, but the most interesting has to be its Premium Teeth Resin, yet another foray into the dentistry world. It’s intended to be used to create 3D-printed dentures as well as for temporary restorations that sit on implants like All-On-X. The company says it’s already been registered with the FDA as a Class II biocompatible material, and has had its longevity validated.
This isn’t the first step the company has made into the dentistry space and already offers the tools to make dentures. It’s a natural venue for 3D-printing, and Formlabs, given the need for customization and its work in building a wide variety of materials for use. Premium Teeth Resin takes this a step further, with the company saying it can be color-matched to existing teeth so it won’t be as noticeable if you’re rocking a falsie. It's available to order now, although we'd advise against anyone attempting to do their own dentistry.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/formlabs-shows-up-at-ces-2024-with-more-realistic-3d-printed-teeth-140027827.html?src=rss
I've always been curious how easy it is to work while you're using one of those under-desk bikes and, thanks to CES 2024, now I know. My jaunt to Las Vegas has taken me to visit LifeSpan, who was showing off its recently released Ampera standing desk bike. Unlike some desk bikes, Ampera is designed to capture your energy and use it to charge your phone via its 15W Qi charging plate. And, if you feel your legs have more power in them, you can re-juice your laptop via the 65W USB-C port.
You don't even need to plug it in, since it operates entirely under its own power, or at least the power it has once you've given it some. The company's official estimates suggest you could get a phone up to 50 percent charge in half an hour. And, if you cycle at speeds over 60 rpm, you'll be able to produce 65 watts per hour, enough to put some decent charge in your laptop or USB battery pack. There's also a companion app which will let you track how much power you've generated, how many calories you've burned and even change the color of the embedded RGB light.
And it's certainly comfortable enough to work from, even in the less-than-ideal conditions of a CES media event. Sitting with my laptop balanced on a tall cocktail table, I was able to maintain a fairly brisk typing speed all the while slowly adding some power to my phone. It's sturdily built and helps you feel planted while you're working out, but mercifully there's also a pair of wheels to help move it around. I could very much imagine having one of these under my standing desk to slide in and out when I don't fancy going out and cycling in the real world.
The Ampera Office Bike is available to buy right now from Amazon, normally priced at $999, it's presently on sale for $799.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lifespans-standing-desk-exercise-bike-can-charge-your-phone-if-youve-got-the-legs-for-it-041730775.html?src=rss
If you’ve ever wanted to turn your car into a DJ, with the sound controlled by how you drive, then you need to buy a Benz, stat. Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am have turned up at CES 2024 in Las Vegas with what they’re calling MBUX SOUND DRIVE (all caps, as if to be bellowed). Sadly, it’s hard to talk about what it is and what it does without robbing it of its mystery, so apologies in advance: It’s essentially a system that pulls data from the car’s suite of sensors, which then helps control a specially-deconstructed music file. But, as joyless as that description sounds, once you’ve experienced it, you’ll wonder why it hasn’t been done before. Not to mention that, at the risk of gushing, it really does deepen the emotional connection between driving and the music you’re listening to.
The announcement came as part of Mercedes’ CES push, which this year is focused on the power of its audio setup. Alongside the announcement of MBUX SOUND DRIVE, it’s boasting of a new partnership with Amazon Music and Audible. That’ll see Dolby Atmos versions of its exclusive audio dramas, podcasts and books come to compatible vehicles. (The highlight of the event was when legendary British audio producer Dirk Maggs took to the stage, the figure responsible for the latter radio versions of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.)
MBUX SOUND DRIVE works by pairing musical elements in a song with ten inputs taken from the car. Start the car and all you get is the track’s bed, so to speak, looping in the background waiting for you to get moving. Push on the accelerator at low speeds and it’ll add some bass reverb to the song, while turning the steering wheel gets you extra effects or the chorus loop kicking in. It’s only when you open the car up on a clear highway and the main music and lyrics will start blasting, rewarding you for moving along. And then, when you’re coasting toward a stop light, the lead vocal and melody will peel away, returning you to the far less intrusive backing track.
If nothing else, it’s a spectacular piece of hardware and software development, given the fact even the fanciest in-car platform wasn’t designed to do this. It’s worth pointing out the extent of the achievement that’s enabled something like this to happen on an existing system. And there are plans to extend it further so, for instance, if the windshield wipers detect rain, the music will change to reflect the mood.
The demo I experienced had 16 tracks pre-loaded, including The Black Eyed Peas’ I Got A Feeling and Le French’s Night Drive. These songs have all been broken down and rebuilt to take advantage of MBUX SOUND DRIVE’s separated format. When you’re just cruising around a Las Vegas parking lot, it’s all pretty restrained, even if you do put some heavy reverb on while you’re parked. In fact, the whole experience at slow speeds could almost be described as teasing, offering you hints of the song you know and love, but never giving you the whole thing.
It’s only when you (or in this case, your qualified driver) puts their foot down and you suddenly start screaming down the road that the whole song kicks in. Even a song like I Got A Feeling, hardly the most bombastic, suddenly feels epic in this format. The closest thing I can compare it to is those moments in Grand Theft Auto when you’re opening it up on the highway and a great track kicks in. Of course, the best example of that would be cruising down the road while David Bowie’s Somebody Up There Likes Me plays. But, despite will.i.am’s promises that when the system arrives halfway through 2024 all genres will be well-represented, I’m not so sure. After all, it’s clear that tracks primarily based on discrete loops are going to be the easiest to translate and the most well-suited to the environment.
In terms of the future, will.i.am shared his hopes that tracks could be hard-coded to reflect a geography. He used the example of a car going through a tunnel, which would prompt a gas car driver to put their foot down to fill the space with engine noise. But in our electric future, where there is no engine noise, users will instead have to content themselves with the jolt from their favourite song. He added that he also dreams of building in easter eggs for songs, which would only start playing when the car reaches a specific location. On one hand, I’m curious how many musicians would take the time to remix their existing songs for the size of the addressable market. Which, in this case, is only Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with a second-generation MBUX system. Then again, money talks.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/im-ashamed-how-much-i-love-mercedes-amg-and-williams-attempt-to-turn-cars-into-djs-023948867.html?src=rss
Mojawa, maker of bone-conduction headphones, has turned up to CES 2024 in Las Vegas with its new HaptiFit Terra. Unlike many other bone-conduction bands, it comes with a built-in AI sports trainer that, the company promises, will help you meet your goals. The AI can cook up custom exercise plans and tracks your heart rate, step count, pace, calories burned and distance. If you’re a swimmer, it’ll also monitor your swimming lap and distance, offering haptic feedback to keep you aware of how you’re doing.
HaptiFit Terra boasts clear, dynamic sound with magnetically-levitated bass with an elegant design. The band also packs glowing lights that’ll glow when you’re running the darkness and warn you if your heart rate gets too high. And the haptic guidance will buzz you to let you know how you’re doing and also offer 3D pressure-sensitive controls for fine-grain control on the go. With 32GB of on-board storage and eight hours of battery life, the company hopes you’ll have little reason to bring your phone along for your workout.
The hardware is available to pre-order today and, should you order one now, you’ll get a fairly hefty early bird discount. HaptiFit Terra will set you back $200 now (with the code HFPRE1 at checkout) but, if you shilly-shally until it releases in March, you’ll have to pay an extra hundred in penance for delaying.
If there’s a downside to this, it’s that Mojawa is treading a path that plenty of companies have already wandered down with only moderate success. After all, Vi from 2017 offered AI-infused audio commentary while you ran around wearing its neckband earphones. Even earlier, SMS Audio, in partnership with Intel, boasted of dynamic fitness coaching from inside its wired earbuds. Hopefully MoJawa can make a bigger splash where those other names didn't.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mojawa-put-an-ai-running-coach-in-its-bone-conducting-headphones-170054566.html?src=rss
It was at CES 2024, in a Las Vegas ballroom with a carpet so static I was getting an electric shock every few minutes, that I finally saw one of my longest-held dreams come true. You see, I own a Concept2 Model D rowing machine, hands down the best rowing machine on the market. But the company has always refused to build a display that doesn’t look like it comes from the early ‘80s. When the PM5 was launched, it looked dated, but in a world where Hydrow and Peloton can offer gorgeous touchscreen displays and live classes, it looked ancient. Which is why I’m so elated that I stumbled across Myrow and its 22-inch retrofit display for Concept2’s rowing machines.
The tablet attaches onto Concept2’s existing monitor stand by unscrewing a couple of bolts without damaging the existing hardware. You’ll still need the PM5, since Myrow connects to that to pull your rowing data, but it can sit flat in its storage position beside the fan. Then, you’ll be able to access on-demand rowing classes, custom workouts and, because everyone who has seen the product has asked, streaming video. This is more or less why I’ve tried any number of annoying third-party mounts to put some sort of video solution onto my rower. After all, the best motivator (for me) is to turn movie-watching time into a workout.
As well as the video classes, you’ll get better visualisation of your rowing data which is another frustrating experience with the PM5. You’ll even be able to share your data to Logbook automatically which, normally, can be frustrating experience.
Myrow is the brainchild of Gary Simpson, the founder of Transit Wireless which brings wireless signal to subway systems. He said he was opting wether to ride on his Peloton or row on his Concept2 during the period everyone was sheltering in place. And that the lack of live classes, or any added-value features, meant he defaulted to the bike far more than he liked. So, he decided to look and see if there were any available products out there and, when he didn’t find any, opted to build his own.
Myrow hopes to open pre-orders at some point in February with shipping expected to begin in April. It’ll cost $499 for the tablet and mount, with an additional $30 a month subscription to get the on-demand classes and everything else.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/someone-made-a-peloton-esque-display-for-the-worlds-most-ubiquitous-rowing-machine-031001362.html?src=rss
Withings has a knack for turning up at CES with a gizmo that garners plenty of attention in the health-tech space. This year, at CES 2024, it’s showing off something called the BeamO, an all-in-one diagnostic tool that follows in the footsteps of its existing contact-free thermometer. Dubbed a “multiscope,” the $250 device will tell you how warm (or not) you’re feeling, measure your blood oxygenation, run a one-lead ECG and even act as a digital stethoscope. Put this to your chest and you can listen to the sounds your chest is making, or send the file to your physician for further analysis.
In the hand, the candybar-shaped BeamO is almost troublingly light, but while medical tech feels weighty, it doesn't actually need to be. You can cycle through its features with the joystick controller, letting you select between ECG / SpO2, Stethoscope, and the wireless temperature sensor. Despite the standalone display you'll need to use the companion app to guide you to use the stethoscope, since it's hard to offer that guidance while holding it at your chest. And you shouldn't have to worry about battery life, either, since the company says the BeamO will last for months at a time on a single charge.
As much as Withings markets its products to the worried well, the company says this may have some real impact in the telemedicine space. After all, these sorts of basic tests are the ones you’ll experience most of the times you visit a doctor, but aren’t that easy to do online. (Especially given the dangers of self-reporting, the ability for a professional to hear what’s going on in the chest cavity seems key.) The company adds that, pending the usual long delay with the FDA, BeamO will also be able to detect atrial fibrillation.
Health Mate is also getting a fairly muscular overhaul to help bolster BeamO's feature set. Now, up to eight users will be able to track their medication intake and even log the symptoms that are prompting them to take a reading. This data can then be exported to whoever you wish to share it with, including sharing the live audio from the stethoscope.
Withings
Once it has won its numerous approvals, it’ll be interesting to see if BeamO — silly name aside — will be seen as valuable by telehealth professionals. Certainly, paired with its class-leading Health Mate app, it’ll offer users an easy way to look at all of this data. We’ll just have to see if this helps doctors feel the same way, or if they’ll roll their eyes and stick to what they know. If nothing else, this is one way to help cut down on the number of health gadgets you'll need in your home. But we'll put this thing through its paces when the device begins shipping in June.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-withings-beamo-is-an-all-in-one-thermometer-ecg-and-stethoscope-010017439.html?src=rss
It’s been a banner year for the Right to Repair movement as supportive bills are signed into law across the US and abroad. Apple shocked the world, too, as it backed California’s bill and urged for a countrywide equivalent. In the EU, regulators mandated the use of USB-C as a standard charging socket for most small devices, and are now turning their attention toward anti-repair tactics. But, while the movement’s leaders should enjoy a glass or two of the good stuff, these victories aren’t total, despite how hard-won they were. To misquote Winston Churchill, this isn’t the beginning of the end, it’s very much the end of the beginning.
In the last year we’ve seen bills enacted in New York, Colorado, Minnesota and California. New York’s was famously watered down by late-in-the-day politicking which neutered some of its key provisions. That included protections for existing devices (instead, it kicks in for hardware made after July 1, 2023), obligations to supply individual parts rather than bundles and it now omits any coverage for enterprise-grade electronics like those used in schools and hospitals. Minnesota’s survived with more teeth, albeit with generous carve-outs to manufacturers of farm equipment, games consoles and cars.
NICOLAS TUCAT via Getty Images
California’s bill which, interestingly, won Apple’s backing, kicks in next year with the company saying it’ll support its provisions countrywide. And given that support, you should expect to see this bill pushed as the model for any future federal legislation. It broadly covers consumer tech and appliances, but exempts games consoles and security equipment. Key provisions require companies to sell components under “fair and reasonable terms” to owners and third-party repair shops long after the last model leaves the factory. Devices with a wholesale price between $50 and $99.99 need to have parts, tools and repair guides available for at least three years after the last new model is made. For gear costing more than $100, the parts need to stick around for “at least seven years” regardless of individual warranty periods. Similarly, tools and documentation need to be made available on a similarly "fair and reasonable" basis. There are carve-outs, including protections on trade secrets and source code, but the bones of the bill are solid enough.
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at iFixit, told Engadget it’s “the strongest'' bill passed in the US, and one of the most comprehensive. (That’s less of a compliment given the paucity of alternative legislation also enacted.) The requirements for parts to remain available for so long after purchase ensures “people have the repair materials they need when they need them.” Not to mention enabling independent repair stores to get “original parts for a huge range of things without having to sign up for invasive and limiting manufacturer programs.” Nathan Proctor of the Public Interest Research Group, before the bill passed, said it would also end the onerous conditions Apple used in its Independent Repair Program. An Engadget investigation showed that while Apple’s IRP looked like a good idea on the surface, it was full of hidden charges and restrictive clauses. And as much as the iPhone 14 won plaudits for being far more repairable than its predecessors, it also used parts pairing — is a process of locking a part to a specific device, preventing users from swapping it out without the manufacturer’s approval. Sadly, California’s bill also does nothing to prevent parts pairing, which may explain why it won Apple’s backing in the first place.
In the last few years, the European Union has assumed the mantle as the major regulator of big tech, albeit with many critics. The bloc has now mandated a common charger, USB-C, for all mobile devices sold by the end of 2024, and all laptops by spring 2026. In November, regulators began looking at ways to encourage repairs and refurbishment over replacement for new gear. That includes people’s right to access spare parts, documentation and tools at a “reasonable cost” – even when the device is outside its warranty period. More importantly, the draft seeks to prevent manufacturers using “contractual, hardware or software technique” to block repairs which would seem to indicate parts pairing.
Anyone feeling triumphant about these wins should bear in mind the broad latitude these terms offer tech companies. Last year, Apple enabled end users to repair their own devices, but not in a way that made it easy, affordable or worthwhile. As The New York Times found out, replacing a component required flight cases full of factory-grade hardware and a hefty deposit. It’s a lot better now, but you’ll still need to pay to loan the high-end gear and shoulder the risk if any of it goes missing.
Similarly, these bills do nothing to prevent the company’s replacement-as-default strategy when you visit a store. After a bike accident this summer, the front and back glass of my iPhone 11 Pro Max was smashed, but it was otherwise functional. Sadly, my local Genius Bar told me the only thing I could do was… buy a replacement at full cost. That’s before we mention the iPhone 15 which, despite Apple’s pledges to be more repair-friendly, is still loaded with parts pairing. It means that, despite all of the sweet words about sustainability in the last few years, you can still only fix a part with Apple’s direct and explicit blessing. As Elizabeth Chamberlain said, “upselling is such a ubiquitous problem and really hard to stop,” but noted that the EU may have a fix for it. Its draft rules would “require manufacturers to offer repair first, before replacement, as long as it’s cheaper” (for the consumer).
Upton Sinclair once wrote that a person won’t grasp something if their salary relies upon them not understanding it. The tech industry’s organizing principle, after all, is to sell you a new piece of gear every few years to keep its profits high. Stretching out the life of a device is bad for their bottom line (at least in the short term) which explains much of their resistance. It’s why, as much as we can hope for better terms and more repairable devices, we must also be vigilant and not rest upon our laurels. The risk is that people get the right to repair their devices, but no way to actually exercise it.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-right-to-repair-movement-won-its-biggest-victories-in-2023-143010331.html?src=rss