Leander Kahney's Blog, page 83

Apple scoops up A.I. startup that analyzes users’ emotions

Apple’s latest acquisition is of a small artificial intelligence company called Emotient. The startup has technology that analyzes people’s emotions through their facial expressions. Apple “buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans,” Apple’s spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal. That’s the typical statement Apple gives when snatching […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Screw the Apple Watch. This is the most personal device ever.

Navigating the many health devices on the CES show floor, I came across the vSculpt booth and stopped dead in my tracks. Mainly because it looked like a sex toy and they were giving away red panties (best swag ever). But what I assumed was just a basic vibrator is actually a medical device used […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

This simple plug in device makes your dumb smoke detector smart

If you’ve ever lived through a house fire you know how devastating it can be. The fear of fire leaves many homeowners anxious, especially when they are away from home. The Leeo Smart Alert is here to save the day. The Leeo Smart Alert is essentially a nightlight but it does so much more than […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Powerful portable battery pack charges in 18 minutes flat

LAS VEGAS — The makers of a powerful new battery pack called the iTron claim it can be fully charged to 9,000 mAh in an astonishing 18 minutes. Even better, in just three short minutes, it slurps up enough power to recharge an iPhone 6. To make the package even more enticing, the quick-juicing battery […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Tim Cook only made $10.3 million last year

Apple CEO Tim Cook made approximately $10.3 million in 2015 — $10,281,327 to be exact. That is up only a tad from the $9.2 million he earned in 2014. The other executives at Apple all made around $25 million each for the year. Sure, it’s rough to place the word “only” in front of a ten million dollar check, […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Cool connected footballs, distributed speaker systems, Bluetooth routers and more at CES

LAS VEGAS — Who says everything at CES is rubbish? Well, yeah, there’s a lot crap, but that’s why we’re here — to rummage through the rubbish and find the best stuff. And we found plenty: smart footballs and running shorts that improve your game and gait; a coffee mug that instantly cools coffee that’s […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Nikon does a full 360 with new action cam

Add Nikon to the growing list of companies taking on GoPro in the action camera market. Nikon made a surprise announcement this week at CES in Las Vegas, unveiling plans for a portable camera that offers 360-degree immersive perspective. The initial specs on the Key Mission 360 indicates Nikon has pulled out all the stops […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

What glitchy software should Apple fix first?

Walt Mossberg has had his say on what Apple needs to fix most: its software. Now it’s your turn to weigh in with your own opinion–which specific software should Apple fix? We’ve created two polls for you to express your opinion, one for OS X on the Mac and one for iOS on the iPhone […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Remix OS is the freakin’ awesome Android desktop you’ve been waiting for

Android has long been available on desktops in some form, but it has never been done right. That’s going to change later this month with Remix OS, a platform that brings Android to almost any Mac and PC — and makes it usable by adding a familiar desktop interface. Most other Android-for-desktop solutions have put […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Wireless charging system gets cool new magnetic audio gadgets

Stacked, the wireless charging case that charges your iPhone with a series of stackable power banks, is expanding it’s line of useful, connected devices to help simplify your life and fill it with music. The company is showing off it’s two new audio accessories at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week in Las Vegas. […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)