Google just released a major update to its Translate app, powered by their latest Gemini model. For users, this means real-time speech-to-speech translation with the option of routing it directly to any set of headphones. This beta functionality takes a significant step toward making multilingual interactions feel more natural and real-time.
Microsoft is constantly updating the Xbox Wireless Controller in Carbon Black, priced at $38 (was $64.99), with little improvements that may appear insignificant at first but build up over time. The sculpted curves and improved shape of the item create a surprising change in how it fits in your hand, regardless of whether your hands are large or tiny. Time flies when you can play for hours on end without getting tired.
Andy Valentine spent a month reliving a childhood experience in his 350Z. He created a mini-map navigation system that uses the iconic GPS display from Need for Speed Underground 2 and runs on a $20 microchip. His bespoke dashboard setup in the Nissan 350Z tracks GPS position, loads map parts on the fly, and even includes a car symbol that spins in the direction he’s traveling.
ASUS has just launched the brand new ROG Strix XG27JCG gaming display, a 27-inch beast that pushes resolution and speed to new heights. At its heart is a 27-inch Fast IPS panel that produces a native 5,120 by 2,880 pixel display, good for full 5K resolution and an astonishing 218 pixels per inch.
Cellos have always relied on wood to produce rich tones through labor of love construction, rather than just meticulous cutting and assembly. Forte3D takes an entirely different approach; the firm’s founders, Alfred Goodrich and Elijah Lee, as well as cellist Mike Block, who currently co-runs the company, created the world’s first 3D-printed carbon fiber cello.
Bandai Namco announced at The Game Awards (TGA) last week that the long-awaited Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will return after a seven-year hiatus. True to form, Bandai Namco Aces, the team behind every major entry in the series to date, began development of this highly anticipated air combat title in 2020, and we’re in for a great treat when it hits the Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PCs in 2026.
Bombardier has delivered the first Global 8000, a significant step forward for private aviation, as it’s capable of flying at Mach 0.95, making it the fastest business jet since the Concorde’s retirement. Passengers can now cross continents faster than ever before, according to some very outstanding flight test results.
Runners, bikers, and anyone else who has to navigate the turmoil of busy streets understands the challenge of maintaining a steady pace while remaining connected to the outside world. You’re either listening to music/podcasts on loop or wearing ordinary headphones that filter out horns, footsteps, and so on, but Shokz offers an alternative: bone conduction. This technology employs vibrations to send music directly from the cheekbones to the inner ear, leaving your ears free of external disturbances. The OpenMove, priced at $54.95 (was $79.95), is a less expensive way to try it out without sacrificing any of the magic.
Photo credit: Viktor Tóth
Viktor Tóth began down this path a few years ago with a simple question: can rats figure out how to navigate the levels of a classic video game? He tried setting up something similar in New York a while back, with rats running on a large ball that logged their every move. As the rat ran back and forth on the spot, sensors detected its motion and turned it into forward movement within DOOM II. Every time the rat reached a specific point, a tube would appear and feed it a delectable drop of sugary water to keep it motivated and moving down those interminable halls.
