Blog

Intel wants to use AI to reconnect damaged spinal nerves

[ad_1]

The initial interface will use external computing hardware to interpret spine signals. In the long term, the collaborators would like a wholly implanted system to make the connection.

This is something of a moonshot, and there’s no guarantee the project will end with a surefire solution for paralysis. It should still be useful even then, though. Assistant engineering professor David Borton stressed that the research should still “uncover new knowledge” about spinal cords and “accelerate innovation” toward treatment. If it’s not the remedy Intel and Brown seek, it should represent a big step in the right direction.

[ad_2]

Source link

iPhone SE2 will look like an iPhone 8 and arrive early 2020

[ad_1]

According to CNBC, Kuo suggested in an analyst note that the iPhone SE2 will retain the iPhone 8’s 4.7-inch screen. The iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch display. Many people who bought the iPhone SE did so because it packed the guts of an iPhone 6S into the smaller body of an iPhone 5-style design at a lower price.

Indeed, the iPhone SE2 is likely to be cheaper than the iPhone 11. The iPhone SE initially sold for $399, and if the SE2 goes on sale at the same price, it’d be $50 cheaper than the iPhone 8 as things stand. To keep costs down, the iPhone SE2’s cameras may not be as powerful as those found in the iPhone 11 lineup. It also may retain the Home button of the iPhone 8 instead of switching to an all-display format with Face ID.

“Though most of iPhone SE2′s hardware spec will be similar to iPhone 8′s, we think the excellent computing power offered by A13 and 3GB LPDDR4X, and the more affordable price will be great selling points,” Kuo said. “Therefore, we estimate iPhone SE2 shipments in 2020 will reach 30–40 [million] units.”

Apple revealed the iPhone SE in March 2016. A similar launch schedule for the iPhone SE2 would match up with Kuo’s suggestion that Apple will unveil the device in the first quarter of next year. Kuo’s prediction adds further fuel to the iPhone SE2 rumors, as other analysts have made a similar forecast.

[ad_2]

Source link

This procedurally generated Twitch channel wants to help you sleep

[ad_1]

Insomnia by Endel is a “real-time procedurally generated soundscape” which streams relaxing sounds and visuals. The company says the channel uses “psychoacoustic effects,” which is basically just a fancy way of saying “nice sounds,” and “masking effects,” which is where multiple sound signals are layered in a way that makes some of them inaudible.

The company also claims that the channel “generates sounds oscillating on certain frequencies in order to modulate the brain waves during the deep sleep state.” The topic of how different sound frequencies affect the brain during sleep is still very much up for debate in scientific circles, though anecdotally lots of people find sounds like binaural beats do help them sleep.

Although this is quite a new area of research, there is some evidence that listening to relaxing sounds can reduce anxiety and help people spend more time in deep stages of sleep. Other studies have found that listening to music at night can help you get better quality sleep, but that familiar music is more effective than unfamiliar music.

Essentially, if you find some combination of music and sounds you like listening to and find relaxing, then listening to it at night might help you sleep better. There probably isn’t one specific genre or type of sound which is universally effective for helping everyone sleep though.

So if you find the Insomnia Twitch channel to be soothing, try it out at night. If not, fire up your favorite relaxing tunes instead and those will do the job too.

[ad_2]

Source link

Google’s Pixel 4 will feature something called a ‘Pixel Neural Core’

[ad_1]

According to the official spec sheet — obtained by 9to5Google — we’re looking at a Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of RAM and up to a 90Hz display. Marked differences between the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are inevitably the screen size (5.7″ vs 6.3″) and battery (2800 mAh vs 3700 mAh). Both offer a choice of 64GB or 128GB storage.

Under the processor information, both devices are labeled as having a “Pixel Neural Core,” which appears to be the new name for the “Pixel Visual Core,” as found in the Pixel 3. This is the imaging chip responsible for the Pixel’s excellent low-light camera, so we can probably expect even greater imaging abilities with the new handsets.

Pixel 4 spec sheet

Interestingly, there appears to be changes to what comes in the box. According to 9to5Google, the device will come with a 1m USB-C to USB-C cable, an 18W USB-C power adapter, a Quick Switch Adapter (female USB-A to male USB-C), a SIM tool and a Quick Start guide. This means it won’t come with the USB-C headphone adaptor or USB-C earbuds that the Pixel 3 shipped with — although this might only be the case in the US, as some countries legally require phone manufacturers to include headphones.

There’s very little left to know about the Pixel 4 now, and it seems that the official launch event on October 15th will act mainly as a demonstration of its new and improved features, rather than showcasing any big new reveal. But who knows? Maybe Google still has a few surprises up its sleeve.

[ad_2]

Source link

Samsung Pay now offers international money transfers to US users

[ad_1]

Users of Samsung Pay in the US will be able to transfer money to accounts in 47 countries including India, Mexico, China and the Philippines, with payout options including bank deposits and cash collection. Samsung says this will be the first in-app international money transfer service for users with a native mobile wallet in the US. Mobile payments services are popular in countries such as India and China but not so much in Europe or Northern America.

The payment service is powered by Travelex, the foreign exchange company owned by the Finablr payment platform. The app will show users all the fees and exchange rates their payments will be subject to up front before any funds are transferred, and recipients do not need to be Samsung Pay users themselves.

The money transfer feature in Samsung Pay is available now for US users and the company plans to expand to other countries next year.

[ad_2]

Source link

Europe’s top court rules that Facebook can be ordered to remove illegal content

[ad_1]

The decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) comes after former politician Eva Glawischnig-Piesczek sued Facebook Ireland in the Austrian courts, in a bid to have an insulting comment removed which she believed was harmful to her reputation. The Facebook user in question had shared an article on their Facebook page, accompanied by what Glawischnig-Piesczek said was a defamatory comment. The post was viewable by any Facebook user.

In a statement, the ECJ said that “EU law does not preclude a host provider like Facebook from being ordered to remove identical and, in certain circumstances, equivalent comments previously declared to be illegal. In addition, EU law does not preclude such an injunction from producing effects worldwide, within the framework of the relevant international law.”

The ruling stipulates that material deemed illegal be removed in the host country, with worldwide access to the content in question limited. However, Facebook will not be responsible for actively tracking down this content. Nonetheless, the decision is a blow to platforms such as Facebook which has frequently banged the drum of “free speech” in defence of its sometimes questionable policies — the ruling places more responsibility on the company to manage its content.

The case also highlights the incredibly complicated challenge of creating and enforcing rules for what is essentially a borderless internet. Defamation, libel and privacy laws vary greatly between countries — what’s allowed in one region may be illegal in another. As such, the ECJ ruling could have repercussions for the way content is regulated all around the web.

[ad_2]

Source link

Uber’s new app will match temporary workers with job vacancies

[ad_1]

However, it looks like the company is being very careful not to be seen as the temp workers’ employer — the fight to recognize Uber drivers as employees is still giving the company a major headache, after all. It’s teaming up with staffing agencies for this project and will sign up their W2 employees, according to Financial Times. Those agencies will take care of employment screening, verification, payroll and taxes. Uber Works head Andrey Liscovich told Crain’s Chicago Business that it will also open the service to its drivers, though, so independent contractors may be able to use it as well.

As you can see from the screenshots above, it looks like workers will easily be able to see a potential gig’s schedule, hours, pay, skill requirements and even dress code. Uber said the app can “eliminate bottlenecks to finding work” and will help workers sign up for new jobs without having to type in their information every single time.

[ad_2]

Source link

NASA shares the odd sounds from its Mars seismometer

[ad_1]

There’s also an indication of how Mars affects the seismometer itself. A third recording includes the “dinks and donks” from SEIS’ parts as they expand and contract in Mars’ more dramatic temperature changes. If the earlier clips were for bass heads, this is more for experimental sorts. It’s musique concrète from 140 million miles away.

This is partly meant to show off InSight’s technology. There’s no doubt that it’s useful, though. The seismometer is helping to understand Mars beyond the surface. It’s also a reminder that planetary exploration isn’t just about taking pretty pictures. There’s a whole range of sensory experiences, and this could make Mars feel real in a way that mere images can’t convey.

[ad_2]

Source link

Chevrolet unveils convertible and race car versions of its 2020 Corvette

[ad_1]

Corvette

The convertible edition we know a lot more about, and that’s probably by design — lead engineer Tadge Juechter tells our friends at Autoblog that the company is prepared to build “at least” 50 percent of Corvettes as convertibles.

This is the first Corvette with a hardtop, replacing the soft cover we loved so much last year on its 65th Anniversary Z06. It’s a sheet-molded composite roof that can be raised and lowered at speeds of up to 30 MPH, thanks to electric motors that replace the previous hydraulic system. It also stores above the engine, where the panels and heat shields have been placed to protect the roof from rising temperatures, and continue to keep the car’s naturally aspirated V8 cool at the same time.

Chevrolet claims that with the top up, drag will be about the same as in the coupe, with a similar top speed. Juechter told Autoblog that making the top optional only adds about 80 pounds to the car’s weight, with no additional reinforcements needed.

Naturally, we expect all the tech toys will still be in place: upgraded 1080p Personal Data Recorder, wireless charging, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and a “digital vehicle platform” that’s ready to receive OTA updates. Still, choosing a convertible 2020 Corvette over the coupe adds $7,500 to the price, and will mean waiting for production to start in Q1 of next year.

[ad_2]

Source link

EA will treat two-factor users to a free month of Origin Access

[ad_1]

EA says all its users can avail of the freebie, so long as their Login Verification is activated by October 31st — yes, including security-conscious users who’ve been using 2FA for their accounts for a while now. While it’s a great way for new users to give the service a try, the company will also give existing Origin Access Basic subscribers one month of free access. It simply won’t charge them in November. Those paying more for Origin Access Premier, which comes with more titles and early access to full upcoming games for $19.90 a month, don’t have to worry about getting downgraded either. The company says it will give them a free month of Premier instead.

[ad_2]

Source link