For the first time, a paraplegic has walked without a robotic suit
A paraplegic has walked without robotics using his own brain waves, thanks to research done at Southern California’s UC Irvine. Scientists used a computer to “link” 28-year-old Adam Fritz’s brain to his legs over a Bluetooth connection, bypassing the severed region of his spinal cord. An EEG then picked up signals from his brain, which were relayed by a “brain-control interface” (BCI) computer to electrodes on his knee, triggering walking movements. Though Fritz was supported and only walked haltingly for 12 feet, the research is being heralded as a milestone — so far, paralyzed patients have only be able to walk using suits like that from Ekso Bionics.
It wasn’t just a matter of strapping on the EEG cap and taking a stroll. Prior to the attempt, Fritz underwent extensive physical rehab to strengthen his muscles and learned to control a virtual avatar using the BCI device. He also made similar movements in the lab while suspended slightly above the floor. During a conversation with Sky News, Fritz dubbed the interface a “mind walker,” and said, “it’s complete concentration. You have to think about every single step when you’re doing it.”
Despite the success, the team said there’s still a lot of work to be done before patients can gain any mobility. The next step is to reduce the EEG components enough that they can be implanted in the brain, which could give patients more precise control the and the ability to “sense” pressure. Meanwhile, Fritz described the experience as “incredible,” saying, “when you’re first injured, you’re sitting in hospital hoping you’ll walk again, but when it actually happened it was a dream come true.”
Source: JNER
Drop all the GIFs with this OS X app
GIFs are bite-sized bits of internet awesome. From video clips to meme-based animation, the file format CompuServe begot has survived and thrived in a world where technology is generally tossed aside after a few months. Thanks to GIF keyboards in iOS like the one from Riffsy, the moving-image format has become shorthand for a reaction via text messages. Excited about something? Don’t type it out on your phone, drop a GIF of someone dancing in conversation. Now Riffsy is bringing that quick and easy access to GIFs to OS X so you’ll never be too far from a goat being amazing.
The OS X version of Gif Keyboard adds a toolbar item that offers quick access to Riffsy’s extensive library of images which are cataloged into collections based on popular internet memes like LOL, FML, OMG, WTF, YOLO and those random emotions you keep having. Moving-photo aficionados can also search for the perfect item to share and thanks to partnerships with studios and networks, find assets from their favorite TV show and movie.
Images can be dragged and dropped from the toolbar app or clicked on and copied to the clipboard. They can then be placed in iMessage, Twitter, Slack, Hipchat, really anything that supports GIFs. At that point, just be prepared to never stop sending GIFs to everyone you know.
If you’re the type of person that creates their own animated images and you want quick access to those masterpieces, you can drag and drop them into the toolbar and add them to a collection. If you find a cool GIF online it can also be dragged and dropped from a browser.
Besides launching a desktop app that has the potential to destroy all your productivity, Riffsy also updated it’s iOS app with support for 3D touch quick actions and Spotlight search. The search capability lets you find GIFs directly within the iOS Spotlight feature and message them to friends.
It’s those messages between friends that Riffsy CEO David McIntosh sees as the most important way to share GIFs and why the the iOS keyboard took off, “people wanted to share animated content as a way to express interest and emotions.” This couldn’t happen with video, so GIFs and emojis became an easy and quick way to share thoughts and emotions without all that pesky typing.
Now some of that GIF-sharing ease is on the desktop, no matter where you are, you can drop an animated reaction to absolutely every means of communication you use.
Source: Riffsy
Why wait in line for an iPhone when you can send a robot?
You can now wait in line for an iPhone 6S without leaving your bed at an unearthly hour. At Apple’s flagship store in Sydney, Australia, a telepresence robot (essentially an iPad on Segway-style wheels) is standing in for Lucy Kelly. The robot showed up at 5am and is currently fourth-in-line to get a new iPhone. As the robot continues to wait overnight in a tent where it can stay charged for the final phone transaction, Kelly has been using an app to log in and communicate with humans in line from the comfort of her home.
“I wanted to be one of the first people to have the iPhone 6S, but obviously because of work I can’t spend two days standing in line waiting for a mobile phone,” Kelly, who borrowed the robot from her media agency, told Mashable. “So my boss said ‘just take the robot down, you’ll still be able to do your work, but you’ll still be waiting in line.’”
[Image credit: Atomic 212]
Source: Mashable
Food delivery apps face lawsuits over employee benefits
The fight over employee benefits when it comes to app-based on-demand services continues. The Chicago Tribune reports that food delivery companies GrubHub, DoorDash and Caviar were all hit with separate lawsuits in San Francisco this week. The suits allege that each failed to offer employee benefits after treating them like full-time workers. In other words, the companies misclassified employees as contractors. If that sounds familiar it’s because Uber facing a similar lawsuit in San Francisco over its drivers. In fact, the same attorney that represents plaintiffs in proceedings with Uber and Lyft is working with the delivery drivers in these three new cases. Like Uber, the suits against GrubHub and DoorDash are class actions while the demand arbitration request with Caviar is on behalf of a single driver. Based on the filings, GrubHub allegedly treated its workers as employees but failing to offer proper benefits like reimbursements for gas, parking and phone data. It also allegedly failed to meet wage requirements and offer overtime pay.
[Image credit: Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Via: Eater
Source: Chicago Tribune
Food delivery apps face lawsuits over employee benefits
The fight over employee benefits when it comes to app-based on-demand services continues. The Chicago Tribune reports that food delivery companies GrubHub, DoorDash and Caviar were all hit with separate lawsuits in San Francisco this week. The suits allege that each failed to offer employee benefits after treating them like full-time workers. In other words, the companies misclassified employees as contractors. If that sounds familiar it’s because Uber facing a similar lawsuit in San Francisco over its drivers. In fact, the same attorney that represents plaintiffs in proceedings with Uber and Lyft is working with the delivery drivers in these three new cases. Like Uber, the suits against GrubHub and DoorDash are class actions while the demand arbitration request with Caviar is on behalf of a single driver. Based on the filings, GrubHub allegedly treated its workers as employees but failing to offer proper benefits like reimbursements for gas, parking and phone data. It also allegedly failed to meet wage requirements and offer overtime pay.
[Image credit: Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Via: Eater
Source: Chicago Tribune
Pebble Time Round smartwatch announced, up for pre-order
Pebble is arguably the first successful smartwatch manufacturer, and we’ve seen some great updates from them in the past year or so. Pebble Steel and Time were both highly praised additions to the family, and it looks like we can add another name to that list. Meet Pebble Time Round.
As the name indicates, this is Pebble’s first round smartwatch. It’s the thinnest and lightest smartwatch ever made, and it runs on the updated “Timeline” OS that we saw launch with Pebble Time. You can expect a color e-paper display, flanked by those four buttons — one on the left side, three on the right — that Pebble users will surely find familiar.
Pebble is claiming roughly two days of battery life with this new smartwatch. It looks like there’s been a focus on fast charging, as the Time Round can supposedly get enough juice to power through a full day in just a 15 minute charge. It will be interesting to see if original Pebble owners will migrate to the new, round watch, given that the original Pebble could easily last a week on a single charge. Pebble Time Round will use a proprietary charger not unlike the one made for the previous models.
From what we can see, there is more focus on customization with this watch as well. There are three different colors that are coupled with a 14mm band, and two with the 20mm band. So overall, buyers will have five choices with the Time Round. It is also worth nothing that, according to the product page, metal bands are coming soon. It retails for $249 and you can order one directly from Pebble. Keep in mind that the watch won’t ship for 6-8 weeks, so you won’t be able to get your hands on it right away.
The post Pebble Time Round smartwatch announced, up for pre-order appeared first on AndroidGuys.
LG video teases unconventional display in upcoming phone
Due October 1, the forthcoming handset should feature a second, “ticker” display
LG has published a video which looks to be teasing a rather unique display for an upcoming smartphone. There’s no outright mention of a handset nor are there any specs highlighted in the short clip which has been posted to YouTube. What it does offer up, however, is a glimpse at how the screen might operate.
In short, we should expect to see extra an display. Said screen will likely be used to show notifications for messages, missed calls, emails, and more. We don’t anticipate it being all that much different than what the “Edge” does for select Samsung smartphones.
Rumors have circulated for a few weeks that LG plans to announce a smartphone with a secondary “ticker” display. The teaser video somewhat confirms that the bonus screen will be at the top, to the right of the camera.
We won’t have to wait long to see what LG has in store for us. The YouTube video indicates all will be revealed on October 1.
The post LG video teases unconventional display in upcoming phone appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Here’s the stock wallpaper for the BlackBerry ‘Venice’
Leaks have been springing out of everywhere in regards to the first BlackBerry device to run Android. The BlackBerry Venice has gotten its glamour shots, and has been around the block quite a bit, even though we still don’t have a release date or anything like that. Regardless of that, everybody loves wallpapers, and thanks to @evleaks on Twitter, we have the stock wallpaper that has been seen with the BlackBerry Venice. Download it below, and show it off on whichever devices you choose to.
The post Here’s the stock wallpaper for the BlackBerry ‘Venice’ appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Photos’ automatic back up feature proves Canadian man’s innocence
Google Photos has seen a lot of success, and has gone through some rather large mistakes, but most recently its helped a man Toronto man prove his innocence after being assaulted by local police.
Abdi Sheik-Qasim was arrested by Toronto Police for, according to the department, assaulting an officer during an exchange between law enforcement and Qasim at his uncle’s house on January 4, 2014. The constables established that Qasim was not wanted for any warrants, but insisted on entering the apartment anyway. Qasim pulled out his cell phone to record the encounter, but was only able to get 10 seconds of video before Constable Dhaliwal knocked the device out of Qasim’s hands.
Qasim, as you would suspect, was arrested for the exchange, reportedly having assaulted an officer. Qasim lost his smartphone during the whole ordeal, but upon his return home, he found that Google Photos backed up the 10 second video, proving his innocence.
At Qasim’s court hearing, both constables said the man engaged them by trying to reach for one of their utility belts, but that didn’t seem to be the case after watching the video. Ontario Court Justice Edward Kelly cleared Sheik-Qasim of all charges during the exchange, saying:
“Officer Dhaliwal’s swing of his arm and hand was the very first physical force during the interaction. The accused didn’t grab a hold of the belt of Officer Gul in advance of this action by Officer Dhaliwal. I believe that Officer Dhaliwal’s action amounted to an assault against the accused.”
Albeit a unique situation, it’s interesting to see how technology could save you from a lot of heartache. Do you backup your photos and videos? You never know when they could get you out of hot water!
source: Toronto Star
via: Android Authority
Come comment on this article: Google Photos’ automatic back up feature proves Canadian man’s innocence
LG’s Nexus 5X (Bullhead) is spotted on GeekBench with 2GB of RAM
With Google’s September 29th announcement looming large, you could be forgiven for wondering if there was anything left to find out about LG’s Nexus 5X handset other than pricing and availability. Even Amazon India has gotten in to the act. But wait, there’s more news, because the Nexus 5X has been spotted being put through its paces on GeekBench under the code-name ‘Bullhead‘, the details which are after the break.
Other than confirming the Nexus 5X Bullhead specifications yet again, the main takeaway of the benchmark is that 2GB of RAM is also reconfirmed. Whether this means there is only one Nexus 5X model or whether it implies LG is following a similar strategy as it did with its G Series, offering 16GB/2GB & 32GB/3GB variants, only time will tell.
All things considered, the Nexus 5X is shaping up to be the true successor to the 2013 Nexus 5. Perhaps the current Nexus 5 owners who eschewed upgrading to the Nexus 6 because of its size and expense will view the Nexus 5X as a logical upgrade option. Thankfully, there really isn’t much longer to wait until Google reveals all on September 29th.
If you aren’t quite sure about the Nexus 5X, some press renders leaked yesterday that you can view here. The question has to be asked though – which Nexus are you more excited about, LG’s Nexus 5X or Huawei’s Nexus 6P?
Source: GeekBench
Via: TechTastic
Come comment on this article: LG’s Nexus 5X (Bullhead) is spotted on GeekBench with 2GB of RAM
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