As we approach Salvador Dalí’s 120th birthday on May 11th, the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, is offering visitors a unique opportunity: to “Ask Dalí” and converse with a lifelike, artificial intelligence recreation of the Spanish painter himself, simply by picking up a lobster phone. This innovative experience is inspired by one of Dalí’s most iconic creations, the Lobster Telephone, and is made possible through the fusion of the artist’s eccentric genius with cutting-edge machine-learning technology.
Salvador Dalí, known for his surrealist paintings such as “The Persistence of Memory,” “Swans Reflecting Elephants,” and, of course, the Lobster Telephone, has left an unforgettable mark on the world of art. His works continue to captivate audiences worldwide, challenging our perceptions of reality and expanding the boundaries of the imagination. The Lobster Telephone, created by Dalí in 1936 for the English poet Edward James, now serves as an inspiration to the central piece in the Dali Museum’s latest interactive exhibit, as the ‘telephone’ fits best for the analogy, allowing visitors to engage with the artist himself in a surreal and thought-provoking manner.
Surrealism, the movement Dalí helped to spearhead, aims to revolutionize human experience by balancing a rational vision of life with one that asserts the power of the unconscious and dreams. Surrealist artists find magic and strange beauty in the unexpected and the uncanny, the disregarded and the unconventional. Dalí’s paintings offer deep and multifaceted meanings, providing ample scope for imagination and understanding of the artist’s perspective.
In an era marked by remarkable technological advancements, it’s fitting to bring a renowned artist back to life through AI, especially as we celebrate his birthday. Debuting after a successful preview at the renowned SXSW conference, Ask Dalí marries the artist’s eccentric genius with some of the latest in machine-learning technology. Crafted by advertising agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), the experience utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4 and ElevenLabs’ Eleven Multilingual V2 models. These tools are trained on a rich dataset of Dalí’s own writings and archival audio, producing responses that echo his distinctive voice, flamboyant personality, and whimsical humor.
To start a conversation, visitors pick up the telephone and ask any question they would like, whether seeking insights into the artist’s surreal imagery or his thoughts on contemporary matters. During a demonstration, Hank Hine, director of the Dalí Museum, tested the system by asking what one should be sure to see when visiting the museum. The AI, channeling Dalí’s lyrical style, recommended, “In the labyrinth of the imagination that unfurls within the Dalí Museum of St. Petersburg, one must seek the melting clocks in The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, where time drips like a dream refusing to be contained.”
Building upon the successes of previous AI-assisted exhibits, such as Dalí Lives in 2019, which brought the artist’s persona to life on screens throughout the museum, and the Dream Tapestry in 2023, where AI assisted visitors in creating digital paintings from descriptions of their dreams, Ask Dalí is the latest in a series of innovative intersections of art and technology inspired by Dalí’s own fascination with new mediums. Jeff Goodby, the co-founder of GS&P, reflects on the project’s alignment with Dalí’s legacy: “Dalí was fascinated by the latest tools and technologies of his era and continually explored various artistic media,” he notes. “Ask Dalí provides a delightful new way to interact with machine-learning technology. Dalí’s poetic writings, in an imaginative style all his own, are the basis of the training, providing dynamic and unpredictable answers to visitors’ questions.”
The 120th birthday of Salvador Dalí promotes the intersection of art and technology allowing visitors to engage with one of the greatest artists of the 20th century in a manner that is both enlightening and surreal. Through the Lobster Telephone, visitors to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg can experience firsthand the wit, wisdom, and eccentricity of Salvador Dalí, ensuring that his legacy lives on for generations to come.
The NAB Show 2024 showcased a captivating array of accessories designed to enhance the toolkit of both professional videographers and passionate content creators. As the digital media landscape continues to evolve, the need for innovative, versatile tools becomes ever more crucial. This year’s event did not disappoint, offering up gadgets that promise to refine the creative process and broaden the horizons of what can be achieved with video production. Here are the top four standout accessories from the show that are essential for anyone looking to elevate their content creation game.
Atomos Ninja Phone
The Atomos Ninja Phone is an innovative accessory designed to transform the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max into a professional monitor and recorder, significantly enhancing the video recording capabilities of the device. By supporting Apple ProRes and H.265 formats, it utilizes the iPhone’s excellent display as a dual-purpose screen and storage solution for capturing high-quality video. This integration makes the Ninja Phone a cost-effective option for mirrorless cameras needing a portable, high-resolution recording solution. However, its limitation to a maximum output of 1080p at 60fps might be restrictive for users requiring higher video resolutions. Essentially, the Ninja Phone acts as a bridge, leveraging the iPhone’s advanced display technology and adding professional recording features typically found in more sophisticated recording equipment.
Designer: Atomos
One of the key features of the Ninja Phone is its seamless integration with the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max. The device is specifically designed to utilize the iPhone’s HDR OLED display as a monitor. This proves advantageous because the iPhone’s screen offers a peak brightness of 1600 nits and a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. These features deliver vibrant and precise visuals, which are invaluable for accurate monitoring during shooting.
Moreover, it facilitates recording in Apple ProRes and 10-bit H.265 directly to the iPhone’s internal storage. Professionals widely prefer these formats due to their high quality and flexibility in post-production. This feature allows for superior color grading and editing capabilities, in contrast to the more compressed standard video formats typically generated by mirrorless cameras.
Additionally, the Ninja Phone includes a video co-processor unit that clips onto the iPhone inside a custom case. This unit effectively manages data transfer between the camera and the iPhone, ensuring efficient recording of video feeds without overloading the phone’s primary processor.
There are several connectivity options, including USB-C and HDMI. These connections are secure, featuring locking mechanisms to maintain stable links between the camera, Ninja Phone, and iPhone. Furthermore, it is powered by a single Sony NP battery, offering a convenient and widely available power solution, making battery swaps as needed during extended shoots effortless.
Another key feature includes streaming video feeds directly to Atomos’ Cloud Service using 5G or Wi-Fi, providing a robust live broadcasting or remote monitoring solution. When combined with the Atomos app, users can access professional monitoring tools like focus peaking, zebra stripes, and false color, greatly enhancing the iPhone’s usability as a professional video monitor.
SmallRig X Caleb Pike VB212 Mini V Mount Battery
The SmallRig X Caleb Pike VB212 Mini V Mount Battery is a compact powerhouse, ideal for filmmakers and content creators who are constantly on the move. It is equipped with high-capacity LG battery cells, delivering 14.76V 14.4Ah 212.544Wh and supporting rapid 140W charging, which allows it to reach full capacity in just 2.5 hours. This minimizes downtime and maximizes energy management efficiency.
Designer: SmallRig
Designed for versatility, the VB212 can power a range of devices simultaneously—from cameras and lights to smartphones like the iPhone. It includes multiple output options: two USB-C ports, a USB-A port for quick device charging, and two D-Tap ports along with specific DC outputs for high-demand equipment.
The battery’s robust design features an intelligent Battery Management System that safeguards against overcurrent, short circuits, overheating, and overvoltage, ensuring the safety and longevity of both the battery and connected devices. Constructed from durable aluminum alloy and coated with silicone, TPU, and PC V0 materials, the VB212 is built to withstand challenging environments, making it suitable for outdoor and demanding settings.
Additionally, its portability and compact frame make it a perfect complement to the iPhone’s mobility, allowing for extended shooting sessions without frequent recharges. This is further supported by the inclusion of USB-C and USB-A ports, which also charge essential mobile videography accessories. A clear TFT display monitors battery status and usage, while silicone covers protect delicate interfaces from dust and damage.
Rode Magnetic Mount
Rode’s Magnetic Mount, compatible with MagSafe-enabled devices, is a robust solution designed for mobile videography. This magnetic mounting system, crafted from high-grade aluminum, offers both durability and lightweight portability, making it ideal for dynamic or harsh shooting environments.
Designer: Rode
The mount’s strong magnet ensures that attached devices, like microphones and lights, remain stable even during active use. Its modular design includes short and long cold shoe arms and a long arm with a 1/4-inch thread, allowing for versatile setups in a variety of configurations to meet diverse filming requirements.
The Magnetic Mount’s compactness enhances its portability, fitting easily into a backpack, kit bag, or pocket. This feature is particularly beneficial for mobile videographers and photographers who require flexibility in their equipment.
For iPhone users, the Magnetic Mount is transformative, providing a stable platform for external accessories. The integration of MagSafe technology secures the attachment, crucial for producing smooth, stable footage. The mount’s design facilitates easy switching between portrait and landscape modes, adding to its functionality and versatility.
I personally like the idea that Rode has taken measures to ensure the Magnetic Mount securely latches on to the iPhone; there’s nothing worse than an expensive iPhone 15 Pro Max flying off during a shoot. The versatility and durability also enhance iPhone users’ capabilities to produce high-quality video content. The magnetic mount aligns well with the iPhone’s advanced features, supporting professional-grade content creation across various settings.
OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite represents a big improvement in webcam technology. Designed to improve video communication and live streaming quality without a high price tag, this compact device combines high-performance features and a user-friendly interface, making professional video capabilities available to a wider audience.
Designer: OBSBOT
At the core of the Tiny 2 Lite’s appeal is its UHD 4K resolution, which remains competitive with other high-end devices while surpassing the video quality typically available from standard webcams and built-in smartphone cameras. This enhancement ensures that every frame is captured with clarity and detail, making it a valuable accessory for everything from professional webinars to intimate chats with loved ones.
Additionally, it comes with dual omnidirectional microphones, which are important for good audio quality and help with maintaining clear and synchronized communication during video calls or while streaming content. This feature is particularly valuable in environments where audio clarity can be affected by background noise or distance from the device.
What sets the Tiny 2 Lite apart are its AI-driven functionalities, such as Auto Tracking with Auto Zoom and Gesture Control 2.0. Auto Tracking keeps the subject in the center of the frame, automatically adjusting the zoom to accommodate movement, which is incredibly useful during presentations or performances. Gesture Control allows users to manipulate camera settings with simple hand motions, enabling a more interactive and engaging user experience without physically interacting with the device.
There are also a variety of preset modes that can be easily switched between, allowing users to tailor the camera setup to their specific needs, whether for a static interview or an animated teaching session. This adaptability is complemented by advanced focusing technology that ensures the video remains sharp and subjects stay in focus, even with significant movement.
This portable webcam is an excellent enhancement for iPhone users, leveraging the phone’s capabilities to produce higher-quality video outputs for streaming and calls. Its compact design and straightforward setup mean it can be easily integrated into various environments, aligning with the iPhone’s portability and emphasis on high usability. Whether used in a home office, during travel, or in a professional studio, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite can be a valuable accessory for creating video content and delivering professional results in a multitude of settings.
There you have it: the accessories featured at NAB Show 2024 offer practical solutions tailored to the varied demands of modern content creators. From transforming an iPhone into a professional recording device to providing reliable power in remote locations, securing equipment on the move, or enhancing home studio setups for clearer streaming, these tools significantly enhance video production capabilities. They streamline the creation process and ensure that every detail is captured clearly, supporting creators in producing high-quality content effectively.
Apple’s budget iPhone is due for a refresh and for the first time ever, it’s getting a major design upgrade that does away with the TouchID, finally putting the technology in the rear mirror for the smartphone industry. Leaked images from China (you can see them at the end of this article) show dummy units of an upcoming iPhone SE with a refreshed design that now features the notch and FaceID system, along with a flat body reminiscent of the iPhone 12 and 13. Chances are that Apple’s probably repurposing older iPhone 12 chassis for the new 4th Gen SE that’s rumored to drop along with Apple’s iPad refresh next month.
With four straight years of the iPhone SE having the same design (both Gen 2 and Gen 3 models used the same chassis as the iPhone 8), the iPhone SE 4 finally gets the upgrade we’ve all been waiting for. Now that the notch is pretty much history for the flagship iPhone, which has adopted the dynamic island, it makes sense for the technology to finally arrive to Apple’s budget line. The new SE 4, as indicated by pretty credible leaks at this point, uses the same body as the one used in the iPhone 12 and 13, sporting what leakers indicate is a 6.1-inch display on the front, a single-lens camera on the back, a FaceID system for facial unlocking, and a mute slider as opposed to the Action Button which Apple unveiled with the iPhone 15.
The 4th Gen iPhone SE is rumored to be a pretty big upgrade for budget customers, allowing Android users to make the iPhone shift with zero compromises. The large screen and thin bezels look just as gorgeous as the iPhone 14 from 2022, and the new SE is rumored to have 5G too, along with what I can only hope is USB-C, because of strict EU regulations that kick in at the end of the year. It’s still conceivable that Apple sticks to their guns and keeps the lightning connector on the SE, while just limiting sales within the EU, which isn’t really its budget market anyway.
Notably the new iPhone SE 4 has a pretty large camera, which may make up for past models not having great photography capabilities. While details are scarce on what this new camera will be, the big sensor is probably rumored to be an all-purpose lens WITHOUT ultrawide capabilities to keep costs lower.
The above renders, created by Yanko Design, are based on leaked images from a Weibo user, showing case designs for the upcoming iPhone. The dummy model, which clearly reads iPhone SE 4, comes with a notched display, a single-shooter primary lens along with a flash, a flat aluminum frame, and all indications that the mute slider will still remain as a detail in the SE 4. As far as colors go, there’s really no concrete indication that Apple plans on adding any new colors to the range. The existing SE range has only 3 colors – black, white, and Project RED. For visualization purposes (and also because of an initial render found on the internet), we’ve also added a Forest Green color variant.
Think of Prelaunch.com as a ‘Shark Tank’ for ideas… but without hungry investors asking difficult questions. The world’s first ‘Market Validation’ platform was designed to help creators better understand what their designs needed to become million-dollar success stories – but now the website is launching an ‘Idea Validation’ feature that lets you understand if your idea has any potential. Thanks to a community panel of more than 200 million people, Prelaunch tests your concept in the marketplace of ideas to see whether it’s ready for the world, helping you fine-tune your design in its nascent stages, so you don’t end up spending all your money on R&D only to realize your product had a flaw, or was targeted at the wrong audience, or worse, was too ahead of its time.
Did you know Apple launched a game console in 1996 called the Pippin? Or that they also launched a touchscreen tablet with a stylus in 1992 called the Newton? How about the fact that Nintendo had its own VR headset back in 1995 called the Virtual Boy? Surely you knew about TwitterPeek, the microblogging platform’s first (and only) hardware device designed for only tweeting, which was launched back in 2008? Chances are you haven’t heard of these products for a good reason – they went as fast as they came, as the companies worked extremely hard to bury these massive failures. Some of these products weren’t well thought-out, others were just a little too early for their time. Most large companies can survive such setbacks… but smaller ones (like the startup Juicero that charged $400 for a device that simply squeezed bags of juice) usually collapse when their products fail. Prelaunch helps mitigate that possibility by allowing you to vet your ideas before you end up walking into a Shark Tank where you get shredded for your product, valuation, or sales. The Prelaunch website helps you get consumer feedback before you even get consumers, so you know whether an idea is worth spending hundreds of thousands (or potentially millions) of dollars into.
The “Idea Validation” feature steps away from the traditional, often tedious process of market research and surveys. Instead, it offers a streamlined, three-step approach for creators to bring their idea to life: describe your product, highlight its killer features, and then flesh out the specifications. The platform then harnesses the power of AI to generate a product landing page, complete with images and descriptions, in mere seconds. Prelaunch has integrated multiple survey panel providers, unified and standardized their processes, and as a result, now has access to 200 million people who are ready to give feedback.
Prelaunch’s entire process takes mere minutes, as opposed to the months (or even years) and financial capital it takes to develop a proof of concept.
Why is this revolutionary? Well, analysis from Prelaunch.com suggests that projects with prototypes stand a significantly better chance of validation and success. This new feature doesn’t just level the playing field; it virtually eliminates it, allowing creators with nothing more than a concept to compete with those who have tangible prototypes. The platform leverages the power of AI to help flesh out the idea, so it can be rapidly tested with a target audience to check for viability.
The platform offers the following metrics to creators:
Interest rate: Percent of visitors who liked the idea. It measures how many users clicked the ‘Like’ button or reacted positively to the webpage’s content. A higher rate implies greater audience engagement and appreciation for the content.
Survey completion rate: Percent of people who completed the survey out of all people who started the survey.
Saves rate: Percent of visitors who provided their email. It measures the number of users who chose to save the webpage for future reference, indicating an intent to revisit the content. A higher rate signifies greater user commitment and interest in the content compared to simply liking it.
Rating: Rating of the product from the “Rate this product” survey question.
Price: Average, Minimum, and Maximum results from survey questions like – “How much would you like to pay?”
Concept Idea Score: Calculated based on a formula that contains several components of interest rate, saves rate, etc.
Demographics: Data based on country, age, and gender.
For a limited time, Prelaunch.com is offering this feature for free—a gesture that speaks volumes about their commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation. Prelaunch CEO Narek Vardanyan’s vision is clear: to empower creators to bring their ideas to life by providing valuable feedback as early as possible.
On a lighter note, imagine if famous inventors and creators had access to something like the “Idea Validation” feature. Would Edison have had an easier time convincing people about the light bulb? Would Da Vinci have gotten immediate feedback on his flying machine designs? While we can’t rewrite history, Prelaunch.com is ensuring that the future of innovation is brighter, bolder, and validated by the very people it seeks to inspire. Welcome to the future of creation, where your next big idea doesn’t just have to be a dream.
There’s never a dull moment in the gaming world. Microsoft and Activision’s merger caused enough excitement, while a random rumor also indicated that the company was giving up on Xbox amid mass layoffs. GTA 6 may see a new trailer drop in May but its launch has been pushed to 2026 amid development delays. Meanwhile, the world is gearing up for the next Nintendo Switch to drop and now it seems like credible leaks indicate that there’s a Sony PlayStation 5 Pro in the horizon.
Designer: Sony
The sources behind these leaks inspire a degree of confidence. Respected outlets like IGN and industry insider Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming have lent their credibility to the rumors. Additionally, Sony’s own investigative response to the leaks suggests they might hold some weight. It’s not every day we get such a comprehensive glimpse into the potential future of console gaming.
So, what advancements can we expect from the PS5 Pro? The leaks paint a picture of a console designed to push the boundaries of graphical fidelity and performance. While the CPU clock speed is rumored to see a modest 10% increase, the real game-changer lies in the GPU. This powerhouse component boasts a staggering 3.25 times the processing power of its predecessor in the PS5, translating to a potential 45% jump in rendering performance. Imagine buttery smooth gameplay with visuals that leave you speechless – that’s the promise the PS5 Pro seems to hold.
For gamers who crave hyper-realistic visuals, the news gets even better. Ray tracing, the technology that simulates real-world lighting effects for unparalleled immersion, is set for a significant boost. Leaks suggest a two to four times improvement in ray tracing performance, which, when combined with the rumored AI accelerator and custom machine learning architecture, hints at Sony’s ambitious plans to integrate AI more deeply into the gaming experience. Imagine enemies that adapt to your tactics, environments that react to your actions, and a level of detail that blurs the lines between reality and the virtual world.
The PS5 Pro might retain the 16GB of memory found in the PS5, but it’s poised to make significant strides in data transfer speeds with a rumored 28% increase in bandwidth. This translates to potentially shorter loading times, a welcome change for any gamer who’s grown weary of staring at progress bars.
One particularly intriguing feature is PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This Sony-developed technology aims to rival AMD’s FSR 2 by offering superior game rendering. With support for up to 4K resolution at a blistering 120fps and even 8K at 60fps, PSSR has the potential to set a new benchmark for visual quality in console gaming. Imagine experiencing your favorite games in stunning detail, running at silky smooth frame rates. It’s a future that promises to redefine how we perceive console graphics.
The audio processing unit is rumored to receive a 35% speed boost, promising a richer and more immersive auditory experience. When you factor in the anticipated PlayStation Link for lossless audio and a generous 1TB of internal storage, the PS5 Pro appears dedicated to delivering a complete sensory experience that complements the visual feast for your eyes.
The question of whether to upgrade to the PS5 Pro hinges on your individual needs and preferences. While the rumored specifications paint a picture of a console with a significant performance leap, it’s important to remember that it might take some time for game developers to fully leverage its capabilities. Additionally, the price tag, rumored to be in the $600-$650 range, may create a bit of an uproar. After all, there’s nothing more dangerous than a scorned gamer.
The Meta Quest 3 was supposed to be the cheaper alternative to the Meta Quest Pro… but now leaked photos from an internal presentation show a new device called the Meta Quest 3S, a ‘lite’ version of the already wildly popular VR headset. Sparked by user u/LuffySanKira on Reddit, screenshots supposedly from a Meta user research session offer a glimpse of the potential Quest 3s. The images showcase the rumored headset alongside the standard Quest 3, revealing some key specifications.
Designer: Meta
The Quest 3s is expected to be a more affordable version of its pricier counterpart. According to the leaks, it will feature a display resolution of 1920 x 1832 with 20 pixels per degree (PPD). This falls short of the Quest 3’s rumored 2208 x 2064 resolution and 25.5 PPD. Storage capacity is also speculated to be lower at 256GB compared to the Quest 3’s 512GB.
The leaked images provide a visual comparison as well. The Quest 3s appears slightly smaller overall, with the most noticeable difference being the front sensors. The Quest 3 has three oval cutouts, while the Quest 3s sports a configuration of six stacked cutouts, three on either side. These leaks are yet to be confirmed by Meta. However, they offer an exciting possibility for VR fans seeking a more accessible entry point into the world of virtual reality.
Feel free to call it the “Spatial KitKat Hypothesis”…
The Apple Vision Pro wasn’t designed to bend, but when you’ve got two straps pulling on the massive headset from either side with a human head in the middle acting as a wedge of sorts, the headset’s bound to feel some stress at its weakest point. Theoretically, that weakest point lies at the nose bridge, or the narrowest part of the Vision Pro’s design. If you imagine the Vision Pro to be a massive KitKat, or a Toblerone, or any bar of chocolate for that matter, it’s usually the narrowest part that’s designed to snap, resulting in a perfectly broken piece of chocolate. The problem here, however, is that this particular ‘chocolate’ is a cutting-edge spatial computer that costs upwards of $3500.
It seems like Apple products don’t really have great luck when it comes to structural soundness. If you remember exactly 10 years ago, #BendGate was plaguing the 2014 iPhone 6, a scandal that arose after people found their iPhones bending in their pockets when they sat down. Sure, Apple worked hard to fix the iPhone 6’s flimsy design (in part because people were just walking into Apple Stores and folding iPhones in half), but #bendgate still lives on in infamy, especially through its latest avatar, or what people are calling #CrackGate. Multiple users are reporting that the Vision Pro’s glass is cracking almost perfectly down the center, for no apparent reason. The crack runs almost perfectly symmetrically, going from the nose upwards, causing an extremely visible fault line right down the center. While it doesn’t seem to affect the Vision Pro’s actual functionality, it’s just like getting a scratch right down the side of your Lamborghini, emotionally gut-wrenching.
The reason, however, isn’t really clear (in part because Apple hasn’t officially addressed the issue or offered repairs), but multiple users have their own theories. Some sleuths noticed that the crack almost always emerges right near the LiDAR sensor, causing speculations that the invisible light from the sensor may be weakening the glass. Others claim it’s a heat-related issue, caused by the fact that most people don’t turn their Vision Pros off after using it for the day, causing it to heat up and the aluminum frame to expand, cracking the glass. The latter theory makes much more sense than the former, but there’s yet another issue that could just contribute to the glass’ structural weakness, and its most simple explanation lies in the shape of a KitKat bar.
Unless you’re an absolute psychopath who chomps right into the KitKat bar, chances are you follow the protocol of breaking it down its linear ridge, creating individual KitKat fingers that you can easily eat. The bar’s practically designed for this interaction, allowing you to snap off individual ‘batons’ that you can either share or eat on your own. The physics behind this design is as simple as it gets. The individual fingers are connected by a small valley of chocolate, which can easily be snapped with little pressure. The reason the KitKat always breaks at this ridge is because it’s easily the most vulnerable part of the chocolate bar. Similarly, the Vision Pro has the same problem. The ‘nose bridge’ on the front is where the Vision Pro’s glass panel is at its narrowest. Apply enough stress to the area and chances are, just like a KitKat bar, it’ll break there first.
Heat could be a contributing factor to this structural weakness, but let’s not forget, the Vision Pro comes with a headband that’s secured to its sides. Wear the Vision Pro on your face, and the headbands tug on the headset from the left and right, while your face being the solid mass it is, applies forward pressure. The rest of the Vision Pro is made from Aluminum, a material famous for being able to bend easily (no points for guessing what the iPhone 6 was made of), but glass – especially curved and hardened glass like the one on the front of the Vision Pro – isn’t really susceptible to bending. The result? A crack at its weakest point, caused by people wearing the headset too tight, coupled with the obvious heat issues because people don’t turn their Vision Pro off every night.
There are two solutions to this problem – the first comes from MKBHD and a bunch of other tech experts, who recommend turning the Vision Pro off after use and disconnecting the battery pack every night so the headset doesn’t keep running and heat up. The second solution is much more obvious, and is an indication of Apple’s hubris. In the pursuit of creating ‘the greatest spatial device ever seen’, Apple’s premium choice of materials is biting them in their backside. The Vision Pro’s aluminum structure is notoriously heavy, causing neck fatigue for people wearing it for long hours… but more importantly, the use of glass on the front seemed highly unnecessary. A well-polished plastic facade on the front would have worked just as fine, even if it didn’t line up with Apple’s ‘luxury’ image. It would have been stronger, easier to produce, and would probably have helped Apple cut costs and boost profits – to the benefit of the consumer. Instead, Apple’s being predictably silent while multiple users are fuming at the prospect of having a difficult-to-ignore crack on their rather expensive $3500 headset.
Your phone is an absolute jungle of sensors – it can measure temperature changes, pressure changes, touch input, voice input, environment brightness, gyroscopic tilt, movement, among quite a few other things… and now Samsung wants it to measure the air quality around you too. It might seem odd at first (I felt so too), but this feature ties in with the broader approach at making your phone or any other wearable a health-focused device. If your watch can tell you that you’re in a high-noise environment and you should consider protecting your hearing, why not have a phone tell you if the air you’re breathing is polluted or contaminated? A patent uncovered by Twitter user @xleaks7 and tech blog Pigtou highlights the integration of an air quality sensor into Samsung’s upcoming Rollable Smartphones. This effectively helps your phone constantly measure the air quality on a hyper-local level, letting you know if you need to ventilate your kitchen or living room, or if the area you’re in has bad air, prompting you to leave or put on a mask.
Designer: Samsung
Representational Image
Imagine a phone that unfurls to reveal a sensor, discreetly tucked away when not in use. This is the essence of Samsung’s patent. The phone’s rollable display transforms into a gateway for external air, allowing the sensor to take accurate readings without compromising the phone’s sleek design. This eliminates the need for bulky external components, a common drawback of conventional air quality monitors.
But what makes air quality monitoring so important? Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses a significant health risk. By integrating sensors into everyday devices, Samsung offers a solution for convenient, on-the-go air quality monitoring. This empowers users to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, especially when spending time outdoors or in unfamiliar environments.
Here are a few features highlighted in the patent:
Adjustable Housing Concept: Tailors the display size and regulates airflow for precise sensor functionality.
Innovative Airflow System: Channels external air directly to the air quality sensor, enhancing measurement accuracy and speed.
Intelligent Opening and Closing Mechanism: Seamlessly integrated with the housing, optimizing sensor performance by managing air intake.
Improved Sensor Response Time: Facilitates swift sensor reaction to air quality fluctuations, ensuring timely feedback to users.
Built-in Sensor Protection: Shields the sensor from internal contaminants, guaranteeing consistent air quality assessments.
Streamlined Design: Maximizes space utilization, keeping the device sleek without compromising functionality.
The implications extend beyond personal health. This technology has the potential to foster a more environmentally conscious society. By raising awareness of air quality fluctuations, users can be prompted to take action, such as using public transport on high-pollution days. This collective effort can contribute to cleaner air and a greener future.
Apple has launched the latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. These laptops have a gorgeous design and strong performance. Although slim, their M3 chip provides impressive performance. They handle tasks such as number crunching, video editing, and binge-watching series effortlessly. Apple has again shown the capabilities of laptops by combining appealing design with high performance.
Despite their high-performance features, the new MacBook Air models are quiet, thanks to a fanless design that maintains a thin, light design and offers up to 18 hours of battery life. Users can enjoy a Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness and support for 1 billion colors, ensuring a visually captivating experience.
The new models can support two external displays and offer Wi-Fi speeds up to double that of previous models. They are available in four appealing colors: midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver. Midnight features an anodization seal to minimize fingerprints. Other significant features include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a three-microphone array, and an immersive sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.
Claiming up to 60% faster performance than their M1 predecessors and up to 13 times faster than the quickest Intel-based MacBook Air, the new MacBook Air models with the M3 chip are equipped with an 8-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and support for up to 24GB of unified memory, promising a smoother and enhanced user experience.
Additionally, Apple has really stepped up the gaming experience by incorporating hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, not to mention a beefed-up 16-core Neural Engine that takes AI capabilities to the next level. The new models even have the muscle to run big, brainy things like large language and diffusion models right on the device. It’s clear Apple is all in on weaving cutting-edge tech into the new laptops.
Running on macOS Sonoma, the new MacBook Air models introduce exciting features such as desktop widgets, better video conferencing, and a Game Mode that amps up gaming. Furthermore, they ensure a seamless connection with iPhone and other Apple devices, thanks to features like AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, Continuity Camera, and Handoff, enriching the overall experience within the Apple ecosystem for users.
Apple maintains its commitment to the environment. The new MacBook Air comprises 50% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100% recycled copper in the main logic board. The packaging is 99% fiber-based, with a goal to eliminate plastic by 2025. Apple aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its manufacturing supply chain and product life cycle by 2030.
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 is priced at $1,099, with a special education discount of $999. The 15-inch model is priced at $1,299, or $1,199, with an education discount. Orders can be placed starting today, and the products will be available from March 8.
The newest MacBook Air models demonstrate Apple’s position in the laptop market. They provide quicker, more intelligent machines while adhering to environmental sustainability and integrating effortlessly with other Apple devices. Apple is evidently committed to advancing its tech experience.
In the six full years that it took to transition from the notch to the dynamic island, I’m sure the Apple team was hard at work figuring out what the next logical step would be. Under-screen cameras had their caveats (camera quality would suffer), and bezels were an absolute no-go. The iPad could get away with a notch built into its relatively thin bezels, but the same bezel thickness couldn’t be carried forward to the significantly smaller iPhone. Then in 2022, Apple revealed the successor to the notch, a more detached notch that they called the Dynamic Island. Its benefit? That it could shapeshift into different shapes and sizes depending on notifications, resulting in a notch that didn’t feel like a compromise.
But information obtained by the folks at MacRumors provides a rare peek behind the curtain of Apple’s design process, and more importantly, what we COULD have gotten instead of the dynamic island. The concepts range from acceptable to downright absurd, with some proposing two notches instead of one! Here’s a look at the 6-year worth of brainstorming at Apple’s design offices before they transitioned from the notch to their now ubiquitous Dynamic Island.
The notch made its first appearance in 2017 with the iPhone X, a commemorative phone to mark the product line’s 10-year anniversary. It soon became a meme, and then a standard fixture for iPhones moving forward, but needless to say, Apple wanted to find a better solution. The first solution was in the form of an extra notch to make the existing notch look more appealing. Visible in the image above (left), this notch would effectively be your control center, but would disappear when not in use. Let’s be objectively clear, I’m glad Apple didn’t implement this because it’s downright hideous. It creates a uniquely displeasing screen shape (even if temporarily), and is an ergonomic nightmare for left-handed people. The second alternative was to black out parts of the screen entirely to hide the notch (top right) – a feature that looked much more acceptable visually, but was a step back for Apple’s zero bezel effort. It, however, would translate to battery savings because the top part of the screen on either side of the notch would remain black for most of the time.
Finally, the company arrived at the dynamic island, but struggled with finding the right way to make it ‘dynamic’. Initial explorations would show dot-shaped icons emerging from the island when in use, while others showed the island transforming into a large block when increasing or decreasing the volume before returning to its original size. This pretty much put Apple on the right track, but they weren’t there yet. Another concept showed the entire island turning into your control center (I somewhat like this if I’m being absolutely candid), while one concept gave the island a second skin in the form of a colored window.
Finally, Apple figured out how to have the island dynamically transform into widgets based on apps and processes, offering something much more elegant than the concepts shown here. However, that’s the nature of the design process, whether you’re a small startup or a trillion-dollar company. You try, ideate, evaluate, fail, and go back to the drawing board over and over till you find something that works… even if it takes six damn years. In hindsight, I’m glad they took that long. I’d take a dynamic island any day over that godawful secondary side notch!
