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Chinese firm unveils humanoid robot that sheds programmed tears
Chinese robotics firm Yanxi Technology has developed the Yansyn-X2, a humanoid robot capable of producing a tear on command. The demonstration highlights advances in affective computing, while also raising concerns about the uncanny valley and how convincingly machines should imitate human emotion. The robot uses conversational analysis, facial mechanisms and a microfluidic system to create…
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Using Live Text on iPhone to copy, translate and recognise text
Live Text lets iPhone users interact with text seen through the camera, including copying, sharing, translating and looking up information. It works on iPhone XS models and later running iOS 15 or newer, making it useful for everyday tasks and travel without requiring Apple Intelligence. To use it, open Camera, frame the text, wait for…
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Apple’s iPhone Duo name echoes Surface Duo despite distinct designs
Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has drawn criticism because its name recalls Microsoft’s Surface Duo range. However, the article argues that claims Apple copied Microsoft are not entirely fair, since Apple previously used “Duo” for its PowerBook Duo laptop line and has also used it for the MagSafe Duo Charger. Microsoft launched the…
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OLPC’s ambitious XO-1 project faltered despite its educational promise
The One Laptop Per Child initiative aimed to give every child in the world access to a computer through the XO-1 laptop, initially promoted as a transformative educational tool. However, the project proved far more complicated than its supporters expected, prompting discussion about why it failed and whether large-scale technology giveaways can succeed. The article…
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Android emulators bring mobile apps to Windows PCs in 2026
Android apps can still be run on Windows PCs in 2026, despite Microsoft abandoning built-in Android support for Windows 11 in 2024. The article explains that emulators offer a practical way to use mobile games and apps on larger screens, with better graphics, keyboard and mouse controls, and potential benefits for developers, content creators and…
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You Don’t Need to Pay for Distraction-Blocking Software
Distraction-blocking apps do not require buying dedicated hardware such as the Brick, because inexpensive NFC chips, QR codes and even existing barcodes can create the same physical barrier. The approach makes accessing distracting apps less convenient, helping users resist impulsive scrolling and focus on other activities. For iPhone, the free open-source app Foqos supports NFC…
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Meta unveils Muse, Apple faces billions, Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Meta’s AI companion raises privacy questions as Apple is ordered to pay $5.7bn; George Russell wins in Azerbaijan, while a Cornell lawsuit and Stallone’s abuse revelations make headlines.
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iPhone Duo’s subtle crease may take months to assess
Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, appears to make its screen crease far less noticeable through a matte nano-texture coating that reduces reflections. However, early hands-on impressions cannot show whether this improvement will last, so the phone’s long-term durability remains uncertain. Foldable screens naturally develop creases through repeated folding, and existing models can become…
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How powerful of a power bank do you need to safely charge a laptop?
Choosing a laptop power bank depends on both its stored energy and charging output, not simply its milliamp-hour rating. Watt-hours (Wh) indicate capacity, while watts (W) determine whether the bank can charge the laptop quickly enough to offset its energy use; USB-C Power Delivery is the key standard to look for. Capacity must be adjusted…