On Monday, the courtroom battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over alleged broken promises at OpenAI started, as usual, with jury selection. The only tricky part? A lot of the prospective jurors already have an opinion about Elon Musk, and it’s not a good one. The Verge reporter Elizabeth Lopatto, who was there at […]
Snabbit now processes over 40,000 daily jobs and has cut costs sharply as it expands across cities and services.
### SpeakON: The First Voice Typing Device for iPhone
In recent weeks, I had the chance to try SpeakON, a magnetic dictation accessory powered by AI that attaches to the back of the iPhone and improves transcriptions according to predefined settings. Here’s how it fared.
#### Overview of SpeakON
SpeakON is promoted as the first voice typing device tailored specifically for the iPhone. This cutting-edge accessory aims to improve voice-driven AI interactions, enabling users to effortlessly convert speech into text across diverse applications. By serving as a tangible shortcut for dictation, SpeakON offers a precise, task-oriented solution for users aiming to optimize their communication.
#### The Good
The setup process for SpeakON was simple. The Bluetooth connection was smooth, and the onboarding tutorial successfully walked me through the accessory’s configuration within the SpeakON app. After integrating it as an iOS keyboard, utilizing SpeakON was easy. With a quick press of the device’s button, I could dictate texts, emails, or lists, while the accessory proficiently transcribed my words, removing filler words and inaccuracies.
One of the notable features of SpeakON is the Attune setting, which allows users to choose from Casual, Professional, or Formal presets. This feature modifies the tone of the transcribed text based on the application in use, making it adaptable to different scenarios. Moreover, the auto-translate feature demonstrated its effectiveness, especially in translating dictations from Portuguese to refined English texts.
The design of the hardware is praiseworthy as well. Weighing merely 25 grams, it feels comfortable to hold, and the powerful magnet ensures it is firmly attached to the iPhone. The satisfying click of the button enhances the user experience, although the haptic feedback could use some enhancement.
The company seems dedicated to improving the product, as shown by multiple firmware updates released during my testing phase, which resolved various concerns without issues.
#### The Bad
While SpeakON’s microphones excelled in quiet spaces, they faced challenges in louder environments, necessitating closer proximity for your voice to be accurately captured. Users can remove the device and talk directly into it, but this diminishes its intended function somewhat.
Battery life also raised concerns. Although the company promises up to 8.5 days on standby and 20 hours of recording time, my experience indicated that the battery depleted much more quickly than anticipated. Although charging is fast, it’s wise to keep a USB-C cable nearby.
#### The Mid
SpeakON is SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA certified, reflecting strong security protocols for managing sensitive information. However, specific models used for security purposes were not disclosed by the company. They assured users that data is encrypted and recordings are processed exclusively for text generation, with no audio utilized for model training without clear consent.
A potential downside is the subscription model, which places certain features behind usage caps. While the device is priced at $129, users may need to subscribe to the Pro plan for expanded word limits and more regular access to features like Attune, with a cost of $108 per year or $12 per month.
Finally, getting accustomed to SpeakON’s ergonomics and the habit of reaching for the button might require some adjustment for newcomers. Though I found it challenging to seamlessly integrate it into my routine, my experience reaffirmed the promise of voice-based interactions.
To find out more about SpeakON, [follow this link](https://www.speakon.app).
Ukraine’s army of ground robots to China’s AI-empowered predator drones. Countering these systems, especially drones, has compelled militaries to innovate, utilizing an array of measures from high-energy laser cannons to fish nets for halting waves of drones inundating cities and military facilities in conflict zones worldwide.
A significant obstacle in combating drone swarms lies in sheer numbers. As militaries frequently deploy hundreds of assault drones daily, taking down these drones can swiftly exhaust ammunition supplies. The stark cost contrast between expensive interceptor missiles and low-cost attack drones, which can be priced at merely a few thousand dollars, accentuates the urgency for developing budget-friendly defense strategies. One approach could involve enhancing traditional low-cost weapon systems, such as rifles, to improve their efficiency against drone swarms.
An example of such technology is Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000L smart scope. This rifle attachment enables soldiers to track and eliminate drones through an optic’s fire control system; the SMASH 2000L represents the most recent anti-drone technology integrated by the U.S. Marine Corps. Allegedly, the scope upgrades Marine rifles into effective drone defense mechanisms via an autonomous system that conducts ballistic calculations and inhibits the firing of rounds that are unlikely to strike their targets.
Produced by Smart Shooter, the SMASH 2000L underwent its initial tests by the Marine Corps in 2021. Able to be affixed to any rifle, SMASH functions as a red-dot sight until users activate its optic’s fire control system. Upon activation, the system employs “proprietary target acquisition and tracking algorithms” to aid in identifying, tracking, and hitting potential targets. As per Smart Shooter, the scope utilizes advanced image
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Here’s the answer for “Wordle” #1774 on April 28 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.
The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.
Connections is a New York Times word game that’s all about finding the “common threads between words.” How to solve the puzzle.
The trailer for psychological thriller ‘Verity’ offers the first peek at the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular 2018 novel.
**AV Receiver Vs. Amplifier: What’s the Distinction?**
If you’re delving into your audio-visual arrangement with any level of seriousness, you’ve likely encountered the terms amplifier or receiver for managing sound. But what precisely distinguishes a comprehensive AV receiver from a more conventional amplifier? While there’s some overlap, the key differences emerge in how the two devices process audio and what each is optimally designed for.
In basic terms, an AV receiver is a device intended for handling audio in a video-centered configuration — often equipped with surround sound processing, HDMI switching, and additional functionalities tailored for entertainment systems. Although AV receivers almost invariably include an amplifier among their components, they do much more than simply power passive speakers. Conversely, a traditional stereo amplifier aims to provide stereo sound to passive speakers in a high-fidelity, predominantly music-focused environment. While AV receivers can serve as commendable music devices, as confirmed in our latest roundup of audiophile-favorite receivers, stereo amplifiers are generally more finely tuned for direct audio duties.
**AV Receivers Are Comprehensive Entertainment Units**
When navigating the realm of AV receivers, the designation itself suggests that there’s more than just audio involved — the “V” signifies visual after all. So what truly differentiates an AV receiver? While nearly every AV receiver comes equipped with an audio amplifier capable of supplying a certain wattage level to your entertainment system’s speakers, it’s typically in service of a surround sound arrangement. This makes it perfect for transmitting audio to multiple speakers in a movie room context, although you may need to experiment a little to find the best setup for your surround speakers.
Moreover, the additional features inherent in an AV receiver distinctly differentiate it from a standard stereo amplifier. Firstly, there’s usually a wealth of video-optimized audio processing software integrated within the unit. This software aids in shaping the sound to align more closely with what you’re viewing, often utilizing presets like dialogue enhancement, sports-specific settings, Dolby Atmos surround, and others. AV receivers frequently provide HDMI connections, enabling you to route your TV’s video signal through and use the receiver as the primary connection hub. This can be especially beneficial if you’re familiar with setting it up to work with your TV’s HDMI ARC port.
**What a Stereo Amplifier Excels At**
As previously mentioned, both an AV receiver and a stereo amplifier incorporate some amplification element. What differentiates a stereo amp is its emphasis on audiophile capabilities and the fidelity of the audio itself. An amplifier designed to drive stereo speakers often pairs seamlessly with a lossless audio or vinyl record system, supplying the necessary components and headroom to deliver rich, warm sound for music-centric listening experiences.
Frequently, an amplifier in a listening environment is even complemented by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can transform a collection of lossless audio files into analog sound (which is essential since raw digital binary cannot be deciphered by human ears). Many amplifier models are even hybrid units that incorporate a DAC to ensure they function in harmony. You won’t encounter extensive input/output routing, and typically, there’s only support for stereo speakers. Though amplifiers are straightforward stereo devices, they often perform their role exceptionally well.
