
Singer made their name by creating sewing machines that would last for generations. However, in the 1970s, the company began to expand into unexpected areas, such as educational tools. As a result, a sturdy briefcase that resembled a carrying case for their portable sewing machines began appearing in stores. Customers were frequently surprised to open one thinking to find sewing needles and thread, only to discover something quite unexpected inside…the Audio Study Mate, a comprehensive system for mixing audio and visuals in perfect sync.

Photo credit: University of Washington
Researchers at the University of Washington have solved the age-old challenge of hearing the person directly in front of you in a noisy environment using a new pair of AI headphones. This is essentially the “cocktail party problem,” and it presents a significant challenge for anyone with hearing loss. Noise-cancelling headphones are frequently ineffective because they either cover the entire area or allow everything through in ‘transparency mode,’ neither of which helps you identify specific conversations.

Radiant Nuclear just finished a fundraising round totaling more than $300 million. Investors contributed funds to bring the startup’s compact, movable nuclear reactors one step closer to being something you might use every day, which is precisely what the California-based firm has been striving toward. They’ve got some breathing room now to actually make it happen, as this fresh investment comes just a few months after a previous round that brought in $165 million, helping Radiant reach the half-billion-dollar threshold.

Ninja’s newest CREAMi model, the Swirl (NC701), priced at $279.95 (was $349.99), expands on the pint-processing technology we all know and love by adding a convenient dispenser handle. Before you begin, prepare your bases by mixing and freezing them in the containers provided. Allow them to remain in the freezer for 24 hours before letting the machine to do the hard work for. Now for the fun part: grab a bowl or make a classic soft-serve directly into a cone.

Anthropic, the company behind Claude, installed an AI vending machine in the Wall Street Journal newsroom. A customized version of their model, dubbed Claudius, was let off the leash. It took control, ordering stock, fixing pricing, and even generating a profit. Staff communicated with it via Slack, asking for snacks and suggesting new ideas. Humans would replenish the refrigerator and update the goods, but Claudius handled all business calls.

Abe, the maker behind the YouTube channel “Abe’s Projects,” set out to build a digital video camera that looks and feels like an outdated camcorder from the early 2000s, or a Fujifilm QuickSnap. While modern smartphone cameras can produce ultra sharp footage, older video often leaves a more lasting impact on us due to its grainy texture and soft level of detail. Abe was inspired by historical snippets like Thomas Edison’s 1900 footage of a Paris exposition.

Chuwi has recently entered the ultralight laptop market with the 2.2-pound CoreBook Air. When you open it, you’ll see a 14-inch IPS screen with a crisp 1920 by 1200 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, ideal for reading documents or browsing the web, thanks to colors that cover the entire sRGB range while the brightness reaches 350 nits.

Porsche chose to breathe new life into a 2005 Carrera GT that had been collecting dust for 20 years. The car’s owner, Victor Gómez of Puerto Rico, sent it to the Sonderwunsch team in Zuffenhausen for a full restoration. The team effectively stripped the car, disassembled the engine, rebuilt it from scratch, and hand-recoated every piece of carbon fiber.

Makers naturally invent clever fixes for everyday annoyances, like buttons that are out of reach, on the wrong side of the room, or placed in inconvenient spots. What Up TK Here has created a clever little contraption called the Button Presser that simply sits there waiting for a signal to go ahead and then extends a lever to press buttons when needed.

Lexus never intended to bring the LM to the United States, as this ultra luxurious minivan is practically identical to the Toyota Alphard under the skin, focused firmly at markets in Asia, Europe, and Australia where there is a large demand for high-end people movers. Car fans frequently describe the back cabin as a Rolls-Royce on wheels, and it’s easy to understand why, with its reclining seats, enormous screens, and whisper-quiet ride quality. Nonetheless, a few of these 2025 models have become available for purchase in the United States.