Category: Consumer & Gadgets

AirDrop is coming to Android phones The cell phone world is divided into two camps—iPhone users and Android users. Apple curates new features for iOS and Google develops for Android, and they likely don’t spend a ton of time worrying about how their phones interact with phones from the other company. Go to techxplore

How eyes affect our perception of a humanoid robot’s mind 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…

Humanoid home robots are on the market—but do we really want them? Last year, Norwegian-US tech company 1X announced a strange new product: “the world’s first consumer-ready humanoid robot designed to transform life at home.” Go to techxplore

AI chatbots provide less-accurate information to vulnerable users, study shows 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…

Most AI bots lack basic safety disclosures, study finds 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…

Research project launches free tool to make AI safer and more trustworthy A University of Glasgow-led research project is releasing a free tool to help organizations, policymakers, and the public maximize the benefits of AI applications while identifying their potential harms. The tool, developed as part of the Participatory Harm Auditing Workbenches and Methodologies (PHAWM)…

Can AI fulfill our emotional needs? Fully customizable virtual companions or avatars—and even “digital clones” of deceased people or living ex-partners—are among the new possibilities that artificial intelligence is bringing to the love lives of humans. But the use of AI in romance isn’t limited to these extreme cases. Human–AI relationships fall along a broad…

LLMs violate boundaries during mental health dialogues, study finds 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…

Feeling ‘AI anxiety’? Here are the risks people fear most A patient said to me the other day, half-smiling but clearly unsettled: “I think I’ve got anxiety about AI.” They weren’t having a panic attack or describing clinical anxiety. What they were expressing was a persistent sense of unease that many of us are feeling…

Burned out by smartphones, young people are choosing flip phones, cameras and MP3 players instead Alarm clocks, maps, books, flashlights, watches, radios, MP3 players, Palm Pilots, remote controls, cameras, handheld recorders and other devices have all been gradually absorbed into a single one: the smartphone. Go to techxplore

New research reveals early warning signs behind streaming subscription cancellations Even with 1.8 billion video streaming subscriptions worldwide, many services are seeing cancellation rates steadily rise, raising the question of why. An international study, published in the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, explores how platform satisfaction and content satiation—feeling overwhelmed or bored—shapes how worthwhile…

The psychology of self-driving cars: Why the technology doesn’t suit human brains Cars with self-driving features are supposed to promise a safer and more convenient future. But there’s a problem: human brains weren’t designed for the strange new role these vehicles demand of us. Go to techxplore

AI decision aids aren’t neutral: Why some users become easier to mislead 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…

AI can generate a feeling of intimacy that exceeds human connections 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…

Apple’s unrivaled commitment to excellence is fading. A designer explains why Apple introduced Liquid Glass in June 2025 in a self-declared attempt to bring “joy and delight to every user experience.” The visual design style—which is being applied to all Apple products from iPhone to watch to TV—is named for the company’s new type of…

Q&A: Ethical, legal and social issues—what does it take for new technology to be accepted? How do cutting-edge science and technology respond to ethical and legal issues when incorporated into society? These issues are known as ethical, legal and social issues, or “ELSI” for short, and research on these issues is being carried out both…

To explain or not? Online dating experiment shows need for AI transparency depends on user expectation 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? Go to techxplore

Do Woolworths shoppers want Google AI adding items to buy? We’ll soon find out Woolworths has announced a partnership with Google to incorporate agentic artificial intelligence into its “Olive” chatbot, starting in Australia later this year. Go to techxplore

I was a designer for RuneScape—its comeback reveals how old games can be rejuvenated RuneScape experienced a surge of popularity over the 2025 holiday season. While fan nostalgia for a game that is now 25 years old plays a role, the revival more clearly reflects recent changes to RuneScape’s controversial monetization—changes that appear to be…

Free tool can reduce harmful engagement with AI-generated explicit images A new evidence-based online educational tool aims to curb the watching, sharing, and creation of AI-generated explicit imagery. Go to techxplore

Gaps between perception and reality might be putting the brakes on electric vehicle sales in rural areas A University of Michigan survey of 1,000 rural Michigan residents reveals a striking gap between perception and reality when it comes to electric vehicles. Go to techxplore

Brew, smell, and serve: AI steals the show at CES 2026 AI took over CES 2026, powering coffee machines to brew the perfect espresso, a device to create your perfect scent, and ball-hitting tennis robots that make you forget it’s human against machine. Go to techxplore

‘Worst in Show’ CES products include AI refrigerators, AI companions and AI doorbells The promise of artificial intelligence was front and center at this year’s CES gadget show. But spicing up a simple machine like a refrigerator with unnecessary AI was also a surefire way to win the “Worst in Show.” Go to techxplore

From sci-fi to sidewalk: Exoskeletons go mainstream Exoskeletons are shedding their bulky, sci-fi image to become lightweight, AI-powered consumer devices that manufacturers hope will become as commonplace as smartwatches, targeting everyone from hikers to seniors seeking to stay active. Go to techxplore

Amazon AI tool blindsides merchants by offering products without their knowledge Sometime around Christmas, Sarah Burzio noticed that the holiday sales bump for her stationery business included some mysterious new customers: a flurry of orders from anonymous email addresses associated with Amazon.com Inc. Go to techxplore

Ten steps to designing more empathetic, human and effective educational video games Video games have come to be regarded as valuable educational resources. Through a combination of interactive environments and learning objectives, they have proven to be an effective tool in multiple fields, from school education to corporate training. However, their full adoption in formal…

Self-driving cars could prevent over 1 million road injuries across the US by 2035 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…

Focus apps claim to improve your productivity. Do they actually work? It’s hardly a revelation that we’re living in an era of distraction and smartphone addiction. Our phones interrupt us, hijack our attention, and tempt us into scrolling. Even when we aren’t interacting with them, their mere presence makes it difficult to concentrate. Go to…

Tucked away in a downtown Chicago office building, fallen e-commerce star Groupon is ready for a comeback Inside Groupon’s 2-year-old headquarters on the 25th floor of the Leo Burnett Building in downtown Chicago, a giant cat in a spaceship with flashing lights greets visitors in an otherwise staid office tower. Go to techxplore

AI agents arrived in 2025—here’s what happened and the challenges ahead in 2026 In artificial intelligence, 2025 marked a decisive shift. Systems once confined to research labs and prototypes began to appear as everyday tools. At the center of this transition was the rise of AI agents—AI systems that can use other software tools and…

Feral AI gossip with the potential to spread damage and shame will become more frequent, researchers warn “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. Go to techxplore

Virtual reality tool helping Indigenous people connect with Country “It makes me feel like I am right there on Country.” This was the response of a student after they used a new virtual reality (VR) tool I codeveloped to help Indigenous people around Australia learn on Country. Go to techxplore

Tech savvy users have most digital concerns, study finds Digital concerns around privacy, online misinformation, and work-life boundaries are highest among highly educated, Western European millennials, finds a new study from researchers at UCL and the University of British Columbia. Go to techxplore

New industry standards and tech advances make pre-owned electronics a viable holiday gift option Electronic gifts are very popular, and in recent years, retailers have been offering significant discounts on smartphones, e-readers and other electronics labeled as “pre-owned.” Research I have co-led finds that these pre-owned options are becoming increasingly viable, thanks in part to…

Number’s up: Calculators hold out against AI The humble pocket calculator may not be able to keep up with the mathematical capabilities of new technology, but it will never hallucinate. Go to techxplore

Audio-augmented wearable aims to improve mindfulness, with possible benefits for those with anxiety and ADHD A new device uses focused sound cues to keep users grounded amid digital distractions, with possible benefits for anxiety and ADHD as well. Go to techxplore

How platform design steers demand Digital platforms have gained strong economic positions in many industries. On the one hand, they enable more providers than ever before to make their products, services, or information available. On the other hand, this means that more providers now compete for users’ attention. The user interface (UI) of platforms acts…

Europe tackles e-waste with eco-friendly innovation that helps reuse and repair Researchers are developing reusable and environmentally friendly electronics for the health care, consumer and manufacturing sectors, replacing scarce materials with circular alternatives to build a sustainable future. Go to techxplore

Media professor says AI’s superior ability to formulate thoughts for us weakens our ability to think critically AI’s superior ability to formulate thoughts and statements for us weakens our judgment and ability to think critically, says media professor Petter Bae Brandtzæg. Go to techxplore

Can you really talk to the dead using AI? We tried out ‘deathbots’ so you don’t have to Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to preserve the voices and stories of the dead. From text-based chatbots that mimic loved ones to voice avatars that let you “speak” with the deceased, a growing digital afterlife…

Student draws on experience to transform assistive communication At 15, when a neurological condition took Tobias Weinberg’s ability to speak, aspects of his personality became more difficult to express. Go to techxplore

Disney content has gone dark on YouTube TV. Here’s what customers should know Disney content has gone dark on YouTube TV, leaving subscribers of the Google-owned live streaming platform without access to major networks like ESPN and ABC. Go to techxplore

AI use makes us overestimate our cognitive performance, study reveals 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…

How to ensure youth, parents, educators and tech companies are on the same page on AI Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday life. It’s in our phones, schools and homes. For young people, AI shapes how they learn, connect and express themselves. But it also raises real concerns about privacy, fairness and control. Go…

Five ways to make AI more trustworthy Self-driving taxis are sweeping the country and will likely start service in Colorado in the coming months. How many of us will be lining up to take a ride? That depends on our level of trust, says Amir Behzadan, a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and…

OpenAI has slipped shopping into ChatGPT users’ chats—here’s why that matters Your phone buzzes at 6 a.m. It’s ChatGPT: “I see you’re traveling to New York this week. Based on your preferences, I’ve found three restaurants near your hotel. Would you like me to make a reservation?” Go to techxplore

AI content poses triple threat to Reddit moderators Reddit bills itself as “the most human place on the internet,” but the proliferation of artificial intelligence-generated content is threatening to squeeze some of the humanity out of the news-sharing forum. Go to techxplore

Some major Australian towns still have poor phone reception—it’s threatening public safety Australians rely on their phones and the internet for education, business, socializing and in emergencies. And as Optus’ recent Triple Zero outage highlights, the consequences of a network outage can be fatal. Go to techxplore

Smartwatches achieve centimeter-level location accuracy with new tracking algorithms University of Otago researchers have developed algorithms that improve the precision of location tracking in smartwatches, a world-first development. Go to techxplore

Old tricks, new tech: Scams in the age of AI As a college student, Gabriel Aguilar fell victim to an elaborate scam. The fraudsters posed as employers offering job opportunities that provided quick income. Go to techxplore

People-pleasing chatbots may boost your ego, but they can weaken your judgment Most people enjoy receiving praise occasionally, but if it comes from sycophantic chatbots, it could be doing you more harm than good. Computer scientists from Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University have found that people-pleasing chatbots can have a detrimental impact on our…

Amazon is overhauling its devices to take on Apple in the AI era When Amazon.com Inc. recruited longtime Microsoft Corp. product chief Panos Panay in 2023 to run its devices division, his new colleagues thought the e-commerce giant was preparing to take its consumer gadget line upscale. Go to techxplore

Q&A: Can AI persuade you to go vegan—or harm yourself? Large language models are more persuasive than humans, according to recent UBC research published as part of the Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Social Influence in Conversations (SICon 2025). Go to techxplore

Humans extend forgiveness to machines just as they do to people, study reveals When a machine fails, our first reaction is often frustration. A computer freezing at the worst possible moment, a navigation app leading us straight into a traffic jam, or a washing machine suddenly stopping mid-cycle—all are everyday situations that trigger anger and…

Amazon unveils new generation of AI-powered Kindle and other devices Online juggernaut Amazon Inc. unveiled its next generation of Kindle, Ring and Echo devices, among other gadgets, that are all powered by artificial intelligence and connected to Alexa+, its AI-infused personal assistant, which made its debut in February. Go to techxplore

Playful apps and chatbots can distract users from protecting their personal data The more interactive a mobile app or artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is, the more playful it is perceived to be, with users letting their guard down and risking their privacy, according to a team led by researchers at Penn State. Go to techxplore

Apple unveils iPhone 17 Air amid AI race and tariff pressures Apple unveiled its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, featuring its thinnest smartphone ever, as the tech giant works to prove it can keep pace in the generative AI race. Go to techxplore

New theory explores how workers interact with technology in the modern workplace In a new paper, two University of Kansas scholars propose a novel theory of communication analysis that takes into better account how people interact with ubiquitous technology in the 21st-century workplace. Go to techxplore

Flexible ergonomics: Researchers explore new computer mouse designs Nearly six decades after its invention, the design of the computer mouse has remained largely unchanged—with serious consequences for users. Go to techxplore

A digital language divide: How multilingual AI often reinforces bias Johns Hopkins computer scientists have discovered that artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are creating a digital language divide, amplifying the dominance of English and other commonly spoken languages while sidelining minority languages. Go to techxplore

What skin temperature reveals about human comfort New research has shown that the skin temperature on specific areas of the body is a strong indicator for how hot, cold or comfortable people feel. These findings could inform the design of wearable technology and smarter, more intuitive building climate control systems. Go to techxplore

Researchers uncover hidden risks of passkeys in abusive relationships A new study reveals that passkeys—widely promoted as a safer login method compared with passwords—may unintentionally expose users to serious risks in situations involving interpersonal abuse. The research introduces the first framework for analyzing how digital authentication tools can be exploited in contexts such as intimate…

A humanoid robot is now on sale for under US $6,000. What can you do with it? You might have noticed that humanoid robots are having a bit of a moment. From Tesla’s Optimus to Figure AI’s Figure 02, these machines are no longer just science fiction—they’re walking, and in some cases, cartwheeling into the…

Caught in a social media echo chamber? AI can help you out Falling for clickbait is easy these days, especially for those who mainly get their news through social media. Have you ever noticed your feed littered with articles that look alike? Go to techxplore

Sibling and friend game time key to keeping children safe in online video games, say researchers Older siblings and friends may play important, and sometimes overlooked, roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft, according to new research led by Penn State. Go to techxplore

Grok 4’s new AI companions offer ‘pornographic productivity’ for a price The most controversial AI platform is arguably the one founded by Elon Musk. The chatbot Grok has spewed racist and antisemitic comments and called itself “MechaHitler,” referring to a character from a video game. Go to techxplore

At least 73% of US adults have experienced online scams—here’s how you can avoid the latest con Online scammers continue to dupe the majority of American adults as they infiltrate virtual calendars and security systems meant to defend users against the poaching of personal information. Go to techxplore

‘Stop killing games’: Demands for game ownership must also include workers’ rights When French video-game publisher Ubisoft announced it was shutting down servers for The Crew, a popular online racing game released in 2014, it wasn’t just the end of a title. It marked the beginning of a broader reckoning about the nature of digital…

Most US homes can save money and affordably weather blackouts with solar plus storage Most U.S. households could reduce their electricity costs and endure power outages by installing rooftop solar panels and battery packs, according to a new Stanford University study, though people may need to buy the equipment by Dec. 31. The study is…

How US adults are using AI, according to AP-NORC polling Most U.S. adults say they use artificial intelligence to search for information, but fewer are using it for work, drafting email or shopping. Go to techxplore

Indie game studios battle for piece of Switch 2 success Players line up inside Nintendo’s booth at a Japanese game fair to try upcoming Switch 2 titles, but, for once, the company’s chirpy red-capped mascot Mario is nowhere to be seen. Go to techxplore

Beat the heat with these cooling gadgets and wearables You can only sit in front of the fridge with the door open for so long. Go to techxplore

Semiconducting polymers and collagen combine to create safe, green wearable tech The world of wearable technology—such as sensors and energy-producing devices—is expanding, thanks to new research into a unique combination of materials that are flexible, safe to use on or inside the human body, and environmentally friendly. Go to techxplore

Interoperable indoor positioning systems can determine locations of people and objects within buildings Maxim Van de Wynckel, a researcher at the WISE lab of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), successfully defended his Ph.D. in computer science on 30 June 2025. Over six years, he explored a major challenge facing many modern technologies: How can indoor…

Chatbots are on the rise, but customers still trust human agents more Customers contact companies regularly to purchase products and services, inquire about orders, make payments and request returns. Until recently, the most common way for customers to contact companies was through phone calls or by interacting with human agents via company websites and mobile…

AI-powered assistive technologies are changing how we experience and imagine public space New applications and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with wearable devices are changing the way users interact with their environments and each other. The impacts and reach of these new technologies have yet to be fully understood. Go to techxplore

Hear here: How loudness and acoustic cues help us judge where a speaker is facing As technology increasingly integrates complex soundscapes into virtual spaces, understanding how humans perceive directional audio becomes vital. This need is bolstered by the rise of immersive media, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), where users are virtually…

AI-driven lifecycle management for end-of-life household appliances Household appliances need to be refurbished and/or recycled at the end of their useful lives. The KIKERP project (see below) aims to harness artificial intelligence to collect information about used appliances and determine parameters such as model and condition to help decide whether a particular device should be…

Widespread non-compliance found in loot box advertising disclosure rules in the UK and South Korea A new study has found overwhelming (90%+) non-compliance with mandatory advertising disclosure requirements for gambling-like loot boxes in video games, raising concerns about consumer protection enforcement in both the United Kingdom and South Korea. Go to techxplore

Roblox’s Grow a Garden explodes online video game numbers A gardening game created by a teenager on online platform Roblox has attracted a record 21 million simultaneous players, a figure rarely seen in the industry. Go to techxplore

Mattel and OpenAI have partnered up. Here’s why parents should be concerned about AI in toys Mattel may seem like an unchanging, old-school brand. Most of us are familiar with it—be it through Barbie, Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends, Uno, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, MEGA or Polly Pocket. Go to techxplore

One Tech Tip: No more lost cats and dogs. Use tech to track your pet “Have you seen the cats?” That’s a common refrain in my household because our two felines, Maple and Juniper, can venture outside through a flap in the backdoor. Like many other London house cats, they’re free to come and go,…

Websites are tracking you via browser fingerprinting, researchers show Clearing your cookies is not enough to protect your privacy online. New research led by Texas A&M University has found that websites are covertly using browser fingerprinting—a method to uniquely identify a web browser—to track people across browser sessions and sites. Go to techxplore

A new tool predicts when users will reject a new technology There is something paradoxical about our relationship with technology. We have very high expectations that new technology will solve the greatest challenges of our time. At the same time, we are quite often skeptical about using new technological solutions. Go to techxplore

AI ‘reanimations’: Making facsimiles of the dead raises ethical quandaries Christopher Pelkey was shot and killed in a road range incident in 2021. On May 8, 2025, at the sentencing hearing for his killer, an AI video reconstruction of Pelkey delivered a victim impact statement. The trial judge reported being deeply moved by this performance…

‘Yes, in my back yard’—most people who live near large-scale solar projects are happy to have more built nearby Would you like to live next door to a solar farm? Traditionally, it’s been thought that although people like the idea of renewable energy plants, they don’t want them close by. Now, research investigating how people…

Emojis bring facial expressions and hand gestures back into our conversations The first emojis can be traced back to the late 1980s, but it was not until 2011 that they became a part of our everyday lives. That was when Apple, followed by other tech companies, implemented emojis in their operating systems. Go to techxplore

Big tech on a quest for ideal AI device ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has enlisted the legendary designer behind the iPhone to create an irresistible gadget for using generative artificial intelligence (AI). Go to techxplore

AI-generated podcasts open new doors to make science accessible The first study to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to generate podcasts about research published in scientific papers has shown the results were so good that half of the papers’ authors thought the podcasters were human. Go to techxplore

Exploring the real reasons why some people choose not to use AI Generative artificial intelligence is everywhere, but not everyone is ready to embrace it—and it’s not just people who fear that AI might replace their jobs or that ChatGPT will become sentient and take over the world. Go to techxplore

UK loot box self-regulation fails: New study finds rampant non-compliance and no enforcement Loot boxes and gacha are gambling-like products inside video games that players buy to obtain random rewards. Concerns have been raised about consumers, particularly children, experiencing financial harm and developing gambling problems. The previous Conservative UK government asked the industry, represented by…

Smart measures to reduce your electricity bill Would you adjust your electricity consumption if you received a notification on your mobile phone telling you when electricity was going to be most expensive the following day? Research shows that good information can influence our energy consumption. Go to techxplore

Google unveils major Android redesign ahead of iPhone overhaul Google unveiled the biggest update to its Android mobile operating system in years, weeks before its biggest competitor in the space, Apple Inc., is expected to give a preview of its overhauled iPhone software. Go to techxplore

Google is rolling out its Gemini AI chatbot to kids under 13. It’s a risky move Google has announced it will roll out its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to children under the age of 13. Go to techxplore

Automated tool offers real-time feedback for English pronunciation among non-native speakers A new system that improves on the detection of pronunciation errors among non-native speakers could improve English language learning. The technology, discussed in the International Journal of Computing Science and Mathematics, uses speech recognition tools and statistical modeling. It could offer English learners feedback…

A wearable smart insole can track how you walk, run and stand A new smart insole system that monitors how people walk in real time could help users improve posture and provide early warnings for conditions from plantar fasciitis to Parkinson’s disease. Go to techxplore

How architecture shapes video game play When players enter the virtual worlds of video games, they are greeted by complex architectural environments. These virtual spaces do more than serve as mere backdrops for gameplay. The design of buildings, streets and entire cities guides player emotions, behaviors and even advances the narrative. Go to techxplore

Is AI truly creative? Study shows how visibility of process shapes perception What makes people think an AI system is creative? New research shows that it depends on how much they see of the creative act. The findings have implications for how we research and design creative AI systems, and they also raise fundamental questions…

Nostalgia fuels UK boom in vintage video game repairs The shelves lining Luke Malpass’s home workshop are a gamer’s treasure trove stretching back decades, with components of vintage Game Boys, Sega Mega Drives and Nintendos jostling for space and awaiting repair. Go to techxplore

Is the Switch 2 worth the price? Reviews are mixed Gaming specialists who have handled Nintendo’s new Switch 2 say the console is a clear upgrade on its predecessor, but it lacks must-have new features and the progress comes at a steep price. Go to techxplore