Consumer & Gadgets news

Consumer & Gadgets

Eye-catching mobile device research could be a sight for sore thumbs

Insights from a new study focused on widening the use of eye-tracking as a control method for mobile devices could offer a sharper view of the smartphones of the future.

Consumer & Gadgets

Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June with new 'Mario Kart World' game

Nintendo has announced a June 5 launch date and $449.99 price tag for its latest gaming console, the Switch 2, which will introduce interactive chat and screenshare functions to connect gamers.

Consumer & Gadgets

Everything you say to an Alexa speaker will be sent to Amazon—starting today

Amazon has disabled two key privacy features in its Alexa smart speakers, in a push to introduce artificial intelligence-powered "agentic capabilities" and turn a profit from the popular devices.

Consumer & Gadgets

Those constantly distracted by their phone will just find other ways to procrastinate if it isn't nearby, study suggests

A new study published in Frontiers in Computer Science investigated if placing smartphones just out of our reach while we're at work influenced device use for activities not related to work.

Consumer & Gadgets

Robotic dogs can inspire emergent leadership in humans

A study from the Media Innovation Lab (miLAB) at Reichman University's School of Communications explored how a robotic dog can influence leadership dynamics between humans. The study revealed that simple gestures of affection ...

Consumer & Gadgets

E-scooter crashes mainly caused by reckless driving, study shows

Crashes on electric scooters are mostly due to the behavior of the riders, with one-handed steering and riding in a group being some of the largest risk factors. Researchers are also concerned about riders who deliberately ...

Consumer & Gadgets

Q&A: What happens to your data if 23andMe collapses?

A paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine calls for regulations to protect customers' personal and genetic data in light of biotech company 23andMe's uncertain future.

Consumer & Gadgets

Young Chinese women find virtual love in 'Deepspace'

Rafayel's girlfriends went all out to celebrate their lover's birthday, renting malls across China for parties, decorating high-speed trains with his photos, and even staging a dazzling drone show.

Consumer & Gadgets

Safeguarding coffee grinders from hidden stones with acoustics

Most coffee connoisseurs are familiar with the gentle hum of their favorite café's grinder while they wait in eager anticipation of that aromatic first sip. But behind this everyday scene lies a surprisingly tricky problem. ...

Consumer & Gadgets

Social media design is key to protecting kids online

Social media is a complex environment that presents both opportunities and threats for adolescents, with self-expression and emotional support on the one hand and body-shaming, cyberbullying and addictive behaviors on the ...

Consumer & Gadgets

YouTube influencers: Gaming's best friend or worst enemy?

YouTube influencers are shaping the gaming industry in unexpected ways, and a new study in the journal Marketing Science uncovers the surprising truth: Although influencers can drive massive engagement with video games, they ...

Consumer & Gadgets

Quokka: A tiny, personal quantum computer emulator

Bearing the smiling face of one of Australia's cutest marsupials is a device its creators are claiming as the world's first consumer product in quantum computing technology.

Consumer & Gadgets

AI goes mainstream as 'AI PCs' hit the market

A new line of PCs specially made to run artificial intelligence programs hit stores on Tuesday as tech companies push toward wider adoption of ChatGPT-style AI.

Consumer & Gadgets

Apple's new AI technology is a step forward, professor says

An associate professor at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, Rajiv Garg has studied artificial intelligence for over 25 years. As the field becomes increasingly sophisticated, he believes AI will soon have the power ...

Consumer & Gadgets

Google to test AI phone theft features in Brazil

Google said Tuesday it has chosen Brazil, a country where nearly two cellphones are pilfered every minute, to test a new Artificial Intelligence system to automatically block stolen Android smartphones.

Consumer & Gadgets

Key new features coming to Apple's iOS18 this fall

Apple announced a slew of new features for iOS 18 at Monday's developers conference event, many of which are designed to enhance the Siri assistant and bring artificial intelligence tools to iPhone users.