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Google announces AI model for eerily smart robots
Google says its new ‘Robotics Transformer 2’ AI model (or RT-2 for short) “brings us closer to a future of helpful robots”. The model is “trained on text and images from the internet,” which can then help inform robot behavior. To which we would reply, have they seen the internet? Still, with the right guardrails, it certainly sounds like a potentially exciting leap into a true Wall-E.
This vision-language-action model (VLA) is in fact a kind of ChatGPT for robots, enabling them to perform actions in familiar and especially unfamiliar situations. That’s because RT-2 can apparently tease concepts embedded in its training data and direct robotic actions even for things it’s not trained to do. This sounds as exciting as it is disturbing. Worrying? You can form your own opinion by reading Google DeepMind’s full blog on RT-2.
The collapse of Twitter (sorry, X) continues
The Control your enthusiasm The theme song is presumably currently in the loop at X Corp offices as the social media site formally known as Twitter continues its doomsday spiral. Just as neighbors complain about a ridiculously bright, glowing X sign atop the company’s headquarters (below), Microsoft Edge is now warning some users (above) that the X website may be a scam.
If Beeping computer Note, this happens because Edge (like other Chromium-based browsers) has a built-in feature called ‘Progressive Web App Icon change’ that watches for app name or icon changes and alerts you about them. Because the X rebranding happened so quickly, Edge picks up its logo as the wrong icon.
It’s yet another example of the collateral damage that the dazzlingly bright new X logo below is currently a pretty good metaphor for…
Imagine no more. This is my life now. https://t.co/k5QfAm8yuG pic.twitter.com/e7ECCM2NUDJuly 29, 2023
Google Maps gets a voice control boost for drivers
I’ve often wondered why Google Maps’ voice control was so average when I was out and about asking it for gas station options — and the reason is that it seemingly uses an older technology called Google’s Speech Services instead of Google Assistant.
Well, that just changed according to the Google News Telegram channel, stating that Google Assistant will instead be used for Maps voice control on Android. This change is apparently a server-side update, so there’s no need to update the app – it should already be rolling out to Android phones, along with a new built-in suggestion carousel.
Now when you fire up the app and tap the microphone icon in the search bar, you should be greeted by a new “faster way” to search Maps. Definitely something to keep an eye out for if you’re planning a road trip soon…
Who wants a 98-inch 4K TV?
The answer, of course, is anyone who has a room big enough for one. And thankfully, TCL is helping to push 98-inch TVs to an affordable level with its new P745 model in Europe.
It’s scheduled to launch in late August or early September for €2,800, which equates to around $3,100 / £2,400 / AU$4,600. Not exactly cheap, but not too bad for a 100/120Hz LCD display with HDMI 2.1 ports and 144Hz VRR (variable refresh rate).
Sure, the lack of local LED dimming won’t deliver the ultimate HDR experience, but then this is a 98-inch 4K TV – and that huge size can help you forgive any shortcomings in picture quality.
It’s a good week to be a Nikon camera fan
Since the launch of the Nikon Z fc in July 2021, camera enthusiasts have been wondering why it wasn’t a full-frame camera. Well, it sounds like Nikon has heeded those pleas, as the Nikon Zf is now tipped to land in a matter of days.
Like the Z fc, the Zf is expected to be heavily inspired by the 1982 Nikon FM2 (below), a camera that was known for being nearly indestructible. Hopefully Nikon will add a little more of that build quality this time around and sprinkle it with the latest autofocus technology.
If so, it could certainly have a winner on its hands, as the Fujifilm X100V continues to sell out largely due to the popularity of the classic film camera design.
The rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Ring are increasing
It’s starting to sound like Samsung is serious about making a rival to the Oura health-tracking ring. A new report from the South Korean website The Electric (through SamMobile) suggests mass production of a Samsung Galaxy Ring could begin as early as August. The bad news? It probably still won’t launch until 2024.
We’re definitely fans of the Galaxy Ring name. The TechRadar team thinks it sounds like everything from an anime attack to someone you could use with four other elemental ring bearers to become Captain Galaxy.
But it can also be fun for health tracking. In a Galaxy Ring trademark application unveiled in February, it was described as a smart device “for measuring health indicators and/or sleep in the form of a ring”. And that would fit nicely alongside the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which has an increasing focus on sleep.