Phys.org, Author at Spotlight Magazine

Amazon’s holiday catalog brings back the joy of the toy store

The Amazon Holiday Kids Gift Book, which has hit mailboxes months ahead of Christmas, has become the modern child’s wish book—a glossy stand-in for the toy store aisles their parents once roamed. It sparks the […]

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.This post was originally […]

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.This post was originally published on this site

Transparent wearable monitor gives real-time warnings about overexposure to sunlight

Scientists in South Korea have unveiled a transparent, wearable sensor that monitors a user’s exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation in real-time. The technology could help prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage that can cause […]

Many rooftops are perfect for solar but owners and renters can’t afford it—here’s our answer

Australians love rooftop solar power. About 4 million homes have solar panels on their roofs, and we generate more solar energy per person than any other country.This post was originally published on this site

AI chatbots routinely use user conversations for training, raising privacy concerns

Major AI companies are utilizing user conversations for training purposes, raising significant privacy concerns and underscoring the need for more transparent policies.This post was originally published on this site

The way we talk to chatbots affects their accuracy, new research reveals

Whether we’re seeking customer support, looking for recommendations, or simply asking a quick question, AI chatbots are designed to give us the answers we’re looking for. But there’s more going on beneath the surface. Every […]

The World Wide Web was meant to unite us but is tearing us apart instead. Is there another way?

The hope of the World Wide Web, according to its creator Tim Berners-Lee, was that it would make communication easier, bring knowledge to all, and strengthen democracy and connection. Instead, it seems to be driving […]

Running late? Parking rules can make shared e-scooters less convenient

Commuters trying to beat the clock account for nearly one third of shared electric scooter trips on a typical workday morning, recent research indicates. But reliance on these vehicles can be dampened when cities don’t […]

Is that a newscast or a sales pitch? New AI videos make it tough to tell

In a short-form video post, an influencer gets worked up about a television news story from California. The images broadcast behind her appear authentic, with an anchor calling viewers to action, victims and even a […]