AI & Technology Updates
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Shure MV88 USB-C Mic for Smartphones
The Shure MV88 USB-C microphone is a modern update to its predecessor, designed to connect directly to smartphones using a USB-C connector, making it more practical for today's devices. It offers four polar pattern options and is equipped with apps for both mobile and desktop that provide presets and manual controls for audio customization. The microphone is ideal for content creators who want to capture ambient sounds or multiple subjects without individual mics, and features like Auto Level Mode and Real-time Denoiser simplify the recording process. Priced at $159, it competes with wireless lavalier mics but offers unique advantages for those who value ambient audio capture. This matters because it provides content creators with a versatile and modern tool for high-quality audio recording directly from their smartphones, enhancing the production value of their work.
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Withings Body Scan 2: A New Era in Health Monitoring
Withings has introduced the Body Scan 2, a $599.95 smart scale with a focus on cardiovascular and metabolic health, featuring eight electrodes on the scale and four in a retractable handle for more accurate body composition readings. The scale tracks over 60 biomarkers, including a 90-second "longevity assessment" that evaluates heart, artery, cellular, and metabolic health, providing users with a simplified Health Trajectory score. Unlike other health tech devices that rely on invasive blood tests, the Body Scan 2 uses bioimpedance spectroscopy and foot sweat analysis to noninvasively monitor metabolic health. While the scale aims to be a comprehensive "longevity station," challenges such as emotional impacts and regulatory approvals remain, with Withings planning to release the scale in Q2 2026. This matters because it represents a shift in how everyday health monitoring devices can provide early health warnings and insights beyond traditional weight measurement.
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Mui Board Gen 2: Sleep Tracking & Gesture Control
The Mui Board Gen 2 is a smart home controller designed to blend seamlessly into the bedroom environment, featuring a soothing wooden design that uses millimeter-wave sensors for sleep tracking and gesture control. The Mui Calm Sleep Platform can monitor sleep states by detecting changes in posture and breathing without the need for wearable devices, and it aims to enhance sleep quality by adjusting lighting and offering presleep stretching routines. While the accuracy of this technology is still under scrutiny, the platform also promises to respond to vocal cues of tiredness or stress and encourage rest. Gesture control will also be available, allowing users to interact with the device from a distance, with these features expected to be released later this year. This matters because it represents a shift towards more integrated and less intrusive smart home technologies that prioritize user comfort and well-being.
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Lockin’s V7 Max: Wireless Charging Smart Lock
Lockin is launching the V7 Max, a smart lock that addresses the common issue of dead batteries by utilizing wireless optical charging. The lock's lithium battery is charged by a transmitter called AuraCharge, which can be placed within a four-meter range inside the house. Designed by former Apple chief designer Hartmut Esslinger, the V7 Max offers biometric unlocking options such as finger vein, palm vein, and 3D facial recognition, and includes a built-in video doorbell and five-inch touchscreens. Additionally, it is compatible with the Matter protocol, enabling integration with major smart home systems, and features AI capabilities for enhanced security and monitoring. This matters because it represents a significant advancement in smart lock technology, offering both convenience and improved security features.
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AI Safety: Rethinking Protection Layers
![[D] AI safety might fail because we’re protecting the wrong layer](https://www.tweakedgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featured-article-8552-300x171.png)
AI safety efforts often focus on aligning the model's internal behavior, but this approach may be insufficient. Instead of relying on AI's "good intentions," real-world engineering practices suggest implementing hard boundaries at the execution level, such as OS permissions and cryptographic keys. By allowing AI models to propose any idea, but requiring irreversible actions to pass through a separate authority layer, unsafe outcomes can be prevented by design. This raises questions about the effectiveness of action-level gating and whether safety investments should prioritize architectural constraints over training and alignment. Understanding and implementing robust safety measures is crucial as AI systems become increasingly complex and integrated into society.