

Wearables
Scientists from the USA have developed a smart watch with a living being inside. He needs to be fed
For many people, smartphones, smartwatches and fitness bracelets have long become an integral part of life. However, when they fail or simply become obsolete, owners throw them away and buy new ones. This leads to an increase in the level of e-waste – 40 million tons per year. And so, University of Chicago scientists Jasmine Lu and Pedro Lopez came up with an original solution, literally reviving the device.
And it’s not a figure of speech. They have developed a smartwatch that contains the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. It is a unique being that can be considered an evolutionary outsider as it sits between the plant and animal kingdoms. At the same time, the slime mold can conduct electricity and remember information, although it does not have a nervous system. But it is in the watch that its first feature is applied.
The device has a heart rate sensor, but this function depends on the health of the slime mold. If he is regularly fed water and oats, this stimulates the growth of the body, which will complete the circuit, then the heart rate sensor will be able to transmit readings. If you do not feed the slime mold, he hibernates for a long time – months or even years.
After assembling the watch, research began. Five participants wore the device for two weeks. In the first week, users looked after and fed the slime mold, and in the second, they stopped doing this at the request of the scientists.
As it turned out, users developed an attachment to the watch and the slime mold, some even perceived it as a pet. The emotional connection was stronger than a similar attachment to a virtual pet, like a Tamagotchi.
This research could be the basis for creating new technologies based on slime molds, and could also stimulate the development of solutions that will be mutually beneficial.

Wearables
Apple Watch Series 8 significantly cheaper in China

Smart watches Apple Watch Series 8 fell in price in China. JD.com is currently offering a 41mm GPS model for $400. The starting price of this model in China was $445.
Apple Watch Series 8 received a body temperature sensor that can take measurements every 5 seconds. Apple Watch Series 8 recognizes not only falls, but also getting into car accidents, for which new sensors are used.
Apple Watch Series 8 features a battery saver mode that allows you to last longer without recharging.
Apple says the Apple Watch Series 8 can track temperature changes as low as 0.1 degrees Celsius and check the temperature every five seconds.
Electric Cars
Audi Activesphere unveiled with adjustable suspension, 600 km range, AR glasses and pickup capability

Audi has unveiled the Audi Activesphere concept car, which is designed for off-road driving.
He received a protected bottom, height-adjustable suspension and convenient ways to transport sports equipment. The rear part can turn into a loading area, where you can place, for example, bicycles. That is, the crossover can be used as a pickup truck.
It will get a spacious interior where you can relax when the car is in self-driving mode. The interior fully reflects Audi’s confidence in augmented reality. Passengers will be able to wear augmented reality glasses, which will provide access to the controls of the infotainment system and the virtual assistant. There will be no usual screens, while the glasses will be able to track the indicators of your body.
If the driver wants to take control, the instrument panel and steering wheel will rise into place. Audi clearly expects to take control only at the exit from the road.
Audi claims a range of around 600 km and 270 kW fast charging using an 800 V architecture. According to the developers, the 100 kWh battery will be able to charge from 5 to 80% in 25 minutes.
It is the fourth model in Audi’s electric concept lineup. In August 2021, the company launched this initiative with the Skysphere roadster, and a month later introduced the Grandsphere sedan. Last year’s Urbansphere was called the SUV for the cities of the future, where your car will be not only a means of transportation, but also an office (or a refuge from the outside world).
Software
The application has more than 1 billion downloads: the alarm clock in Google watches is now turned off by buttons

Google has released an update for the standard Clock application for the Android operating system. The update is small, but it looks very useful for all those who use the standard Google Clock alarms and timers.
Version 7.4 of Google Clock changes some elements of the user interface for the better. To snooze or turn off the alarm, you previously had to perform swipe gestures, which is fraught with delay if you turn off the alarm “without regaining consciousness.” Now there are separate buttons that the user will have to consciously press to get rid of the annoying sound.
Apparently, the new interface for alarm clocks is only being tested, since not all users who have installed Google Clock 7.4 appear. The settings also have a new option for the volume buttons Do nothin (Do nothing). Users who have joined the innovations note that you need to get used to the new buttons for alarm clocks, but in the end they turn out to be more convenient.
In addition, the update also makes changes to the timer section, making it clearer, with a larger button to add time and stop the timer.
Note that Google Clock has been installed more than one billion times from the online application store Google Play.
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