https://techxplore.com/rss-feed/consumer-gadgets-news/ en-us Tthe latest news on consumer electronics, electronic gadgets and electronics. You know it's time to put your phone down, but your thumb finds "Play Again" once more. In an age where digital entertainment never sleeps, willpower alone isn't enough. As more players, especially the younger generations, face physical and mental health challenges from excessive gaming, ethical design that prioritizes human well-being during development has become more urgent. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-gray-screens-delays-gaming.html Consumer & Gadgets Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:20:04 EST news691758361 Large language models (LLMs), artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can process human language and generate texts in response to specific user queries, are now used daily by a growing number of people worldwide. While initially these models were primarily used to quickly source information or produce texts for specific uses, some people have now also started approaching the models with personal issues or concerns. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-heart-benchmark-ability-llms-humans.html Consumer & Gadgets Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:40:01 EST news691063660 Eyes are said to be the mirror of the soul. Eyes and gaze direction guide attention, evoke emotions and activate the brain's social perception mechanisms. Researchers at Tampere University and the University of Bremen conducted a study examining how people perceive the minds of humanoid robots. Mind perception refers to the way humans detect and infer that other people, beings or even objects possess consciousness, emotions and cognitive states. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-eyes-affect-perception-humanoid-robot.html Consumer & Gadgets Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:00:05 EST news690562316 Large language models (LLMs) have been championed as tools that could democratize access to information worldwide, offering knowledge in a user-friendly interface regardless of a person's background or location. However, new research from MIT's Center for Constructive Communication (CCC) suggests these artificial intelligence systems may actually perform worse for the very users who could most benefit from them. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-ai-chatbots-accurate-vulnerable-users.html Consumer & Gadgets Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:20:01 EST news690808412 Many people use AI chatbots to plan meals and write emails, AI-enhanced web browsers to book travel and buy tickets, and workplace AI to generate invoices and performance reports. However, a new study of the "AI agent ecosystem" suggests that as these AI bots rapidly become part of everyday life, basic safety disclosure is "dangerously lagging." https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-ai-bots-lack-basic-safety.html Consumer & Gadgets Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:00:06 EST news690710462 Voice assistants such as Alexa are often marketed as smart tools that streamline everyday life. But once the technology moves into people's homes, interest quickly fades. This is shown by new research in which laughter is used as a key to understanding how people actually use—and understand—artificial intelligence in everyday life. The paper is published in the Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-laughter-reveals-ai-home.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:02:32 EST news690634922 Most people believe they can spot AI-generated faces, but that confidence is out of date, research from UNSW Sydney and the Australian National University (ANU) has demonstrated. With AI-generated faces now almost impossible to distinguish from real ones, this misplaced confidence could make individuals and organizations more vulnerable to scammers, fraudsters and bad actors, the researchers warn. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-people-overconfident-ai.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:00:49 EST news690634801 Many of the latest large language models (LLMs) are designed to remember details from past conversations or store user profiles, enabling these models to personalize responses. But researchers from MIT and Penn State University found that, over long conversations, such personalization features often increase the likelihood an LLM will become overly agreeable or begin mirroring the individual's point of view. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-personalization-features-llms-agreeable-potentially.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:40:02 EST news690629803 Artificial intelligence (AI) agents, particularly those based on large language models (LLMs) like the conversational platform ChatGPT, are now widely used daily by numerous people worldwide. LLMs can generate texts that are highly realistic, to the point that they could be sometimes mistaken for texts written by humans. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-llms-violate-boundaries-mental-health.html Consumer & Gadgets Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:50:01 EST news690113534 Over half of U.S. adults are using large language models (LLMs)—such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot—in some capacity. Whether using artificial intelligence to create grocery lists, turn oneself into a Muppets character or divulge one's deepest, darkest secrets, humans are relying more on AI models in their everyday lives, possibly because AI chatbots have been shown to generate responses that make people feel validated, seen and heard. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-chatbots-humans-empathy.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:01:50 EST news690037261 Guidance based on artificial intelligence (AI) may be uniquely placed to foster biases in humans, leading to less effective decision making, say researchers, who found that people with a positive view of AI may be at higher risk of being misled by AI tools. The study, titled "Examining Human Reliance on Artificial Intelligence in Decision Making," is published in Scientific Reports. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-ai-decision-aids-neutral-users.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:42:43 EST news689877722 Customers are 32% more likely to buy a product after reading a review summary generated by a chatbot than after reading the original review written by a human. That's because large language models introduce bias, in this case a positive framing, in summaries. That, in turn, affects users' behavior. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-chatbot-bias-users-lot.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:00:02 EST news689860434 If you say a few words, generative AI will understand who you are—maybe even better than your close family and friends. A new University of Michigan study found that widely available generative AI models (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, LLaMa) can predict personality, key behaviors and daily emotions as or even more accurately than those closest to you. The findings appear in the journal Nature Human Behavior. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-mind-ai-kind-person.html Consumer & Gadgets Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:32:25 EST news688998721 People can develop emotional closeness to artificial intelligence (AI)—under certain conditions, even more so than to other people. This is shown by a new study conducted by a research team led by Prof. Dr. Markus Heinrichs and Dr. Tobias Kleinert from the Department of Psychology at the University of Freiburg and Prof. Dr. Bastian Schiller from Heidelberg University's Institute of Psychology. Participants felt a sense of closeness especially when they did not know that they were communicating with AI. The results have been published in Communications Psychology. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-ai-generate-intimacy-exceeds-human.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:33:46 EST news688836781 Now is a great time for anyone who's shopping for a used car to consider an electric vehicle, according to new research from the University of Michigan. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-evs-car-buyers-lowest-lifetime.html Consumer & Gadgets Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:00:06 EST news688725902 Prompt, individual-based dose assessment is essential to protect people from the negative consequences of radiation exposure after large-scale nuclear or radiological incidents. However, traditional dosimetry methods often require expensive equipment or complex laboratory analysis. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-smartphones-emergency-detectors.html Consumer & Gadgets Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:24:26 EST news688728242 Artificial intelligence (AI) is said to be a "black box," with its logic obscured from human understanding—but how much does the average user actually care to know how AI works? https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-online-dating-ai-transparency-user.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:47:47 EST news688236421 In the United States, 11% of adults over age 45 self-report some cognitive decline, which may impact their ability to care for themselves and perform tasks such as cooking or paying bills. A team of Washington University in St. Louis researchers has integrated two novel vision-language models that create a potential artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that could help people remain independent. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-ai-chef-cognitive-declines-home.html Consumer & Gadgets Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:10:03 EST news687531792 Autonomous vehicles could dramatically reduce traffic accidents and injuries on U.S. roads. Drawing on historical data and current trends, a recent JAMA Surgery study projected that self-driving cars could prevent more than 1 million injuries between 2025 and 2035, resulting in a 3.6% reduction in traffic-related injuries over the next decade. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-cars-million-road-injuries.html Consumer & Gadgets Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:30:01 EST news686575327 "Feral" gossip spread via AI bots is likely to become more frequent and pervasive, causing reputational damage and shame, humiliation, anxiety, and distress, researchers have warned. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-12-feral-ai-gossip-potential-shame.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:18:37 EST news685642681 A single laundry load containing synthetic clothing can release thousands of plastic microfibers from nylon, acrylic and polyester materials. Lab testing of an SA-made washing machine filter at Flinders University shows it can be a useful new way to help protect waterways from polyester and other synthetic microparticles. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-12-machine-filter-captures-microfibers-small.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:47:53 EST news685630021 A new device uses focused sound cues to keep users grounded amid digital distractions, with possible benefits for anxiety and ADHD as well. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-12-audio-augmented-wearable-aims-mindfulness.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:35:20 EST news683994901 Artificial intelligence (AI) is often seen as a tool to automate tasks and replace humans, but new research from Swansea University challenges this view, showing that AI can also act as a creative, engaging and inspiring partner. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-12-ai-creative-reveals-benefits-human.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:40:39 EST news683825999 Over the last few years, systems and applications that help visually impaired people navigate their environment have undergone rapid development, but still have room to grow, according to a team of researchers at Penn State. The team recently combined recommendations from the visually impaired community and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a new tool that offers support specifically tailored to the needs of people who are visually impaired. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-ai-tool-visually-impaired-users.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:18:37 EST news683219881 Can we really trust artificial intelligence to illustrate our ideas? A team of scientists has examined the capabilities of Midjourney and DALL·E—two Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) software programs—to produce images from simple sentences. The verdict is mixed... between aesthetic feats and beginner's mistakes, machines still have a long way to go. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-ai-words-image-generators-basic.html Consumer & Gadgets Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:22:04 EST news682176121 New research from the University of Copenhagen points to a simple yet effective method for combating misinformation on social media: make it slightly harder to share content. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-small-digital-frictions-misinformation.html Internet Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:17:04 EST news682074931 A team of engineers at the University of California San Diego has developed an electronic sticker that can monitor a person's vitamin C levels using the sweat from their fingertips—no blood draws, lab visits or batteries required. The flexible sticker, which attaches to the outside of a drinking cup, collects trace amounts of sweat as a person grips the cup. Within minutes, the system harvests enough power from the sweat to analyze it for vitamin C and wirelessly sends the results to a nearby laptop. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-powered-sticker-cup-health-sensor.html Consumer & Gadgets Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:31:34 EST news682007485 A new study has revealed that artificial intelligence can now generate images of real people that are virtually impossible to tell apart from genuine photographs. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-fake-real-ai-harder-pictures.html Consumer & Gadgets Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:40:05 EST news681654913 When it comes to estimating how good we are at something, research consistently shows that we tend to rate ourselves as slightly better than average. This tendency is stronger in people who perform low on cognitive tests. It's known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect (DKE): The worse people are at something, the more they tend to overestimate their abilities, and the "smarter" they are, the less they realize their true abilities. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-ai-overestimate-cognitive-reveals.html Consumer & Gadgets Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:53:03 EDT news680889181 Learning about a topic by interacting with AI chatbots like ChatGPT rather than following links provided by web search can produce shallower knowledge. Advice given on the basis of this shallow knowledge tends to be sparser, less original, and less likely to be adopted by others. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-ai-shallower-knowledge-web.html Internet Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:32:02 EDT news680866321