About UsWere Vidpros, a fast-growing subscription-based video editing service designed to help agencies, influencers, and content creators produce high-quality video content efficiently and at scale.For agencies, we offer white-label solutions that integrate seamlessly into their workflows. For influencers and creators, we handle the heavy lifting of video editing so they can focus on growing their brand and engaging their audience.As we expand, were seeking a talented and connected individual to join our team and drive partnerships with agencies, influencers, and creators.The RoleAs our Partnerships & Creator Manager, youll play a critical role in expanding our reach, onboarding clients, and driving revenue growth. Were looking for someone with one of the following backgrounds:Tech Sales: Youve sold SaaS tools or platforms to marketing or creative agencies, such as influencer directories, campaign reporting tools, or engagement platforms.Agency Experience: Youve acquired creators in a marketing, talent, or influencer agency.In this role, youll:Develop Agency Partnerships:Pitch white-label editing solutions to marketing, creative, and talent agencies.Build relationships with agency decision-makers to position us as their go-to partner.Engage Influencers and Creators:Cultivate relationships with influencers, YouTubers, TikTok creators, and other digital content producers.Showcase how our editing services can help creators streamline production and grow their audiences.Drive Revenue Growth:Build and manage a sales pipeline with a mix of inbound and outbound prospects.Own revenue targets and consistently meet or exceed monthly KPIs.What Were Looking ForWere seeking candidates with one of these backgrounds:Tech Sales Background:3+ years of experience selling SaaS tools or tech solutions to creative or influencer agencies.Agency Experience:3+ years working at a marketing, talent, or influencer agency managing creators and campaigns.Additionally, youll have:Network: Established connections in the influencer, creator, or agency ecosystem.Sales Acumen: Proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and managing sales pipelines.Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with video editing, influencer marketing, or creative production workflows is a major plus.Motivation: A proactive self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, remote environment.KPI TargetsGenerate $30,000-$50,000 in sales per month as a mix between agency and creator sales.Compensation & BenefitsBase Salary: $60,000$90,000 annually as contractor, depending on experience.Commission: Uncapped commission structure, with on-target earnings (OTE) ranging from $100,000$150,000+.Additional Benefits:Flexible, remote-first work environment.Access to industry events and networking opportunities.Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities.Be part of a collaborative, creative team making a real impact.Ideal Candidate ProfileWere looking for someone who has:A background in tech sales, selling tools to agencies OR agency experience managing creators and influencer campaigns.A strong network of agencies, influencers, or creators.A passion for video editing, influencer marketing, and helping creative professionals succeed.How to ApplyIf youre ready to take the lead in growing partnerships with agencies, influencers, and creators, we want to hear from you! Send your resume and a short Loom video about your experience and network to [emailprotected].

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. The biggest AI flops of 2024 The past 12 months have been undeniably busy for those working in AI. There have been more successful product launches than we can count, and even Nobel Prizes. But it hasnt always been smooth sailing. AI is an unpredictable technology, and the increasing availability of generative models has led people to test their limits in new, weird, and sometimes harmful ways. These were some of 2024s biggest AI misfires. Rhiannon Williams If youre interested in the latest developments in the weird and wonderful world of AI, check out the AI Hype IndexMIT Technology Reviews highly subjective take on whats for real and whats just a lot of hallucinatory nonsense. Our latest edition features emotional robotic pets, Pokmon Go, simulated humans, and much more. Why EVs are (mostly) set for solid growth this year It looks as though 2025 will be a solid year for electric vehiclesat least outside the United States. (Inside the US, sales will depend on the incoming administration's policy choices.) Globally, these cleaner cars and trucks will continue to eat into the market share of gas-guzzlers as costs decline, consumer options expand, and charging stations proliferate. But ultimately, the fate of EV sales will depend on the particular dynamics within specific regions. Heres a closer look at whats likely to steer the sector in the worlds three largest markets: the US, the EU, and China. Read the full story. James Temple This piece is part of MIT Technology Reviews Whats Next series, looking across industries, trends, and technologies to give you a first look at the future. You can read the rest of them here. How wind tech could help decarbonize cargo shipping Inhabitants of the Marshall Islandsa chain of coral atolls in the center of the Pacific Oceanrely on sea transportation for almost everything. For millennia they sailed largely in canoes, but much of their seafaring movement today involves big, bulky, diesel-fueled cargo ships that are heavy polluters. Theyre not alone. Cargo shipping is responsible for about 3% of the worlds annual greenhouse-gas emissions, and at the current rate of growth, the global industry could account for 10% of emissions by 2050.The islands have been disproportionately experiencing the consequences of human-made climate change: warming waters, more frequent extreme weather, and rising sea levels. Now its residents are exploring a surprisingly traditional method of decarbonizing its fleets. Read the full story.Sofia Quaglia This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6its all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 A Tesla Cybertruck exploded at Trumps Las Vegas hotelAuthorities are investigating if the incident is linked to a similar attack in New Orleans. (The Guardian) + The Cybertrucks driver was killed, while seven others were injured. (Reuters)+ Both vehicles were rented using the same app, called Turo. (Insider $)+ The New Orleans suspect appears to be inspired by the Islamic State. (Economist $)2 What five years of covid has taught us How prepared we are for future pandemics hinges on governments willingness to listen. (New Scientist $)+ Covid exposed how vulnerable global health systems are. (The Guardian)3 Americas tech industry needs imported labor Escalating tensions over the future of the H-1B visa lays that bare. (WSJ $)+ Thousands of overseas workers are trapped by the US immigration system. (Insider $)+ Tech workers had a pretty rough 2024. (Ars Technica)4 Elon Musk has support in his legal battle with OpenAI Two major tech investors have joined his cause. (WP $)5 A science journals editors have resigned over its use of AI The Journal of Human Evolutions board is protesting how owner Elsevier used te technology to format papers. (Ars Technica)+ The worlds most expensive artist isnt a fan of AI, either. (The Guardian) 6 How much will it cost to live forever?Investment in longevity firms has dropped in recent years. (FT $) + Maybe you will be able to live past 122. (MIT Technology Review)7 Podcasts arent restricted to just audio any more Aspiring podcasters better be prepared to appear on video these days. (NY Mag $)8 Were on the verge of living in the ocean Within five years, this ambitious project hopes to establish permanent underwater colonies. (IEEE Spectrum)9 What the year ahead holds for tech Elon Musk attempting to buy TikTok appears pretty inevitable. (The Information $)10 How to spend less time staring at your phone in 2025 Take back control and break the habit. (Wired $)+ How to log off. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the day Its nothing other than business as usual for me. Sarah Perl, a Los Angeles-based content creator, tells the Wall Street Journal why shes not worried about the looming prospect of a US-wide TikTok ban. The big story This fuel plant will use agricultural waste to combat climate change February 2022A startup called Mote plans to build a new type of fuel-producing plant in Californias fertile Central Valley that would, if it works as hoped, continually capture and bury carbon dioxide, starting from 2024. Its among a growing number of efforts to commercialize a concept first proposed two decades ago as a means of combating climate change, known as bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration, or BECCS.Its an ambitious plan. However, there are serious challenges to doing BECCS affordably and in ways that reliably suck down significant levels of carbon dioxide. Read the full story.James Temple We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + Feel like times running away with you? To slow it down, you need to shake things up.+ Sicilys cathedral of Monreale houses Italys largest Byzantine-style mosaics, and theyre truly awe-inspiring.+ If youre looking for some sci-fi short stories to get your year off to a literary start, look no further.+ How to teach yourself to love wintereven when its really freezing.

Hatters hope new ground will be ready by 2027Luton Towns planned new ground will hold 25,000 peopleLuton Borough Council has granted planning permission for a new 25,000-seat stadium for Luton Town Football Club, marking a major milestone in the clubs plans to relocate from their historic home at Kenilworth Road.The new stadium is set to be built at Power Court, a centrally located site in Luton. The Hatters current ground, which has been their home for nearly 120 years, holds just over 12,000 fans but is considered outdated and no longer fit for purpose.The detailed plans for the project were submitted by Luton Towns development company, 2020 Developments, with a design team led by Aecom and sports architecture specialists Sisa. Additional contributors include architect Klaska and venues consultant Trivandi.Luton Town and 2020 Developments chief operating officer Michael Moran commented: Having already secured outline planning consent in 2019, we have worked through a complete re-design of the stadium concept alongside bringing forward the wider site where we are busy now with groundworks and putting the necessary infrastructure in place.The club, which spent last season in the Premier League before being relegated to the Championship, aims to have the new stadium operational by 2027, offering a modern venue to support their ambitions both on and off the pitch.

The annual report highlights how urban environments impact health, urging targeted interventions to tackle inequality and promote active travelSource: UK GovernmentChris Whitty, the governments Chief Medical OfficerThe Chief Medical Officers annual report, Health in Cities, published last month, has highlighted the profound impact of urban environments on the health and wellbeing of Englands population.Drawing on extensive data and expert analysis, the report focuses on the critical links between urban living conditions and pressing health challenges, including housing quality, homelessness, mental health, active travel, air pollution, and the needs of ageing populations.In his foreword to the report, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty calls for policymakers to be brave in support of the health of children and vulnerable people now and in the future, emphasising the need for targeted action on transport, housing, and pollution.He notes, It is possible to design cities in such a way that they enhance health through decisions on transport, housing, schooling, food policy, licencing and pollution.Whitty argues that while such decisions may come at a political or financial cost, the impact of pro-health decisions can be substantial and usually long lasting. Whitty also highlights the importance of addressing concentrated deprivation in urban areas, advocating for tailored interventions to optimise health outcomes in cities.With over 80% of Englands population living in cities, the report underscores the pivotal role of the built environment in shaping public health. Aimed at policymakers, it calls for evidence-based interventions to tackle entrenched inequalities and create healthier, more sustainable urban spaces.The report identifies housing quality as a major determinant of health, noting that poor-quality homes often damp, mouldy, or inadequately insulated are linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular conditions, and poor mental health. It highlights disparities in housing standards, with inner-city areas showing a higher proportion of poor-quality housing compared to suburban areas.According to the report, 16.3% of urban homes fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard, with flats performing particularly badly. The document calls for targeted interventions, including retrofitting older homes and expanding affordable housing to mitigate health risks associated with substandard housing.Urban housing design and location are also scrutinised. The report suggests that compact homes in dense urban environments may help reduce fuel poverty due to easier heating but warns of increased risks of overheating, particularly in flats. It advocates for design strategies that address thermal comfort year-round and promote ventilation to improve indoor air quality.The report describes active travel as a win-win-win for public health, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainabilityHomelessness is also identified an acute public health challenge, with the report stating that England has the highest homelessness rates among OECD countries, with one in 51 Londoners affected. The document highlights the severe health implications of homelessness, including increased mortality rates and higher prevalence of conditions such as respiratory illnesses, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders.The report references the short-lived successes of the COVID-19 Everyone In initiative, which housed thousands of rough sleepers during the pandemic, noting significant health improvements among participants. However, it emphasises that systemic issues, including insufficient affordable housing and a lack of permanent solutions, continue to exacerbate homelessness.The report urges the adoption of a long-term approach similar to Finlands Housing First model, which prioritises stable housing as a foundation for addressing other health and social issues.Urban living is associated with higher rates of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis, compared to rural areas, according to the report. Factors such as social isolation, exposure to crime, and limited access to green spaces are seen as contributing to these disparities. Air pollution and noise, both prevalent in cities, are also linked to mental health risks.The report highlights the critical need for urban planning to integrate mental health considerations by addressing issues such as access to green space.Source: McrKidicalMassManchester Kidical Mass cycle ride, May 2024Active travel such as walking, cycling, and wheeling is presented as a key strategy for improving urban health outcomes. The report describes active travel as a win-win-win for public health, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability, noting its potential to reduce chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.Children in the UK have higher rates of active travel compared to other age groups, but in urban areas, around one-third of children aged 5 to 16 are driven to school while fewer than 5% cycle.According to the report, Parents, carers and young people are often concerned about driver behaviour and perceived risk of harm from other adults and young people, which limits childrens ability to travel independently and actively. This, in turn, restricts their opportunities for individual development, education, and risk assessment skills.> Also read:Transport and connectivity provide the key to equitable and resilient citiesIt acknowledges significant barriers, including poorly maintained pavements, limited cycling infrastructure, and safety concerns around active travel, particularly for women and children. It advocates for investment in protected cycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly urban design to encourage wider adoption.Source: GM MovingGirls Who Walk, walking group. New Bailey, Manchester, December 2023Integrating active travel with public transport is also recommended as a means of extending journey lengths and promoting equitable access.The report also emphasises the importance of age-friendly urban design, with accessible housing, reliable public transport, and proximity to healthcare facilities identified as critical needs.It also highlights the risks posed by air pollution to older residents, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions. Conversely, the concentration of healthcare facilities in cities is seen as a potential advantage for managing complex health needs, provided that primary care services are adequately supported and accessible.Air pollution is described as a major threat to health, with cities disproportionately affected due to their density of people and vehicles. The report links pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide to a range of health issues, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.While acknowledging progress in reducing emissions from vehicles and industrial activities, the report calls for further action, including stricter regulations on wood-burning stoves and enhanced public transport systems. The introduction of low-emission zones and investment in electric vehicles are also highlighted as opportunities to reduce urban air pollution.> Also read:Taskforce calls for cross-departmental unit to lead national older peoples housing strategy

Justin Sullivan says demand for skilled workers is white hot as industry requires 250,000 extra bodies by 2028The new president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has warned that skills shortages could derail Keir Starmers plans to build 1.5m homes.Justin Sullivan, RICS president for 2025Justin Sullivan today became the organisations 143rd president. He is the founder and chief executive of property and construction consultancy Adair, which was formed in 1994.On his inauguration, he said: Across the globe, demand for built environment professionals of all specialisms is white hot, and opportunities for the next generation are profound.We need to get more young people considering and entering surveying as a career. The UK faces many challenges - we need to build more homes, but face skills shortages which threaten to derail these plans.Similarly, surveyors and other built environment professionals are in short supply across the globe, most acutely in regions where construction is booming, such as the Middle East.We must also develop an increasingly welcoming profession which is open to people of all backgrounds and identities - a crucial cornerstone for getting more youth into the profession.Sullivan has held various positions within the RICS since 2004, inlcuding as a member of its international governing council and head judge for the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards.He steps up to head the organisation against the backdrop of the Labour governments pledge to build 1.5 million homes within the next five years.RICS outgoing president, Tina Paillet also acknowledged the profound skills shortages across all global regions as something that Sullivan is passionate about tackling.In a recent BDcomment piece,Paillet advocated for a built environment GCSE to supplement the diminishing workforce.She wrote: Brexit, a sharp drop in apprenticeship starts and spiralling retirement rates have combined to create the perfect storm for Britains acute skills crisis.Meanwhile, a report published by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in May 2024 revealed that more than 250,000 extra workers are needed by 2028 to meet infrastructure and housing demand.The government has responded to concerns by launching Skills England in July 2024, a programme aiming to bolster its industrial strategy, which outlines 63bn of investment in infrastructure projects from data centres to airports.Prime minister Keir Starmer said: Skills England will jumpstart young peoples careers and galvanise local economies. It will bring businesses together with trade unions, mayors, universities, colleges and training providers to give us a complete picture of skills gaps nationwide, boost growth in all corners of the country and give people the opportunity to get on in life.> Also read:Why we need a built environment GCSE to inspire the next generation of professionals

There was also a British Empire Medal for Department for Education architect Beech Williamson, who tragically died this Christmas, aged 64, shortly after finding out about his honours nomination.Clegg is known for his pioneering work in sustainable design over a 45-year career which has placed him at the forefront of environmentally responsible and socially conscious building practices.The architect set up the practice in 1978 with the late Richard Feilden, who was himself awarded an OBE 25 years ago for his work in community architecture. Early projects focused on energy efficiency and innovative use of materials, leading to a series of significant projects, including the headquarters for environmental charities such as Greenpeace, the National Trust and the Woodland Trust.Advertisement Source:Simon DolingNational Trust HQ (completed 2005) by FCBSThe pair were later joined at the practice by Keith Bradley, and in 2008 FCBS won the RIBA Stirling Prize as head of the team behind the Accordia housing project in Cambridge.Clegg said the OBE acknowledged the long history of the practice in promoting environmentally and socially responsible architecture.He added: Architecture is a collaborative discipline, and the recognition needs to be shared by the hundreds of people over the years that have been part of the practice and the thousands of consultants contractors and clients that have worked on projects that have allowed us to explore a new approach to architectural design.The announcement of Williamsons award came as the sad news broke of his death over the Christmas holiday.An architect in the Department for Educations design, operations and infrastructure group, Williamson was known for his forensic knowledge and early adoption of technology in design. He joined the department in the early 1980s as an architectural assistant and was instrumental in cross-party work around standardisation, modern methods of construction and net zero carbon.AdvertisementTogether with his wife and department colleague Alison Wadsworth he played a pivotal role in setting the parameters for school design. Source:Jen Singer/Department for EducationBeech WilliamsonMore recently and before his retirement last year, Williamson strove for better outdoor spaces on school sites and to improve the standard of building provision to benefit children with special educational needs (SEND).According to a post on the Department for Education's website: A devoted father and husband, Beech died over the festive period after a period of illness, surrounded by his family.Among the other recipients of honours were: former Battersea Power Station Development Company chief executive Simon Murphy, who was awarded an OBE for services to real estate, heritage, and the community in London; and industrial designer Tom Dixon, who became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Dixon is best known for his furniture and lighting.There was also an award for Malcolm Reading, of global architectural competition organisers Malcolm Reading Consultants, who received the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by the King for services to the Sovereign Grant Audit and Risk.The organisation is currently running the contest to find an 'exceptionally dedicated and inspired multidisciplinary team' to create a landmark memorial masterplan celebrating Queen Elizabeth II.

There are many reasons you might need to build a website in 3 hours, and some people are particularly driven to do so -- a creative person who loves the idea of experimenting with artificial intelligence, for instance, or a solopreneur who needs a landing page to connect with new clients.Or me, the person who has been sitting on the idea of making a website, yet is overwhelmed by the surplus of creative talent, brand identity and design companies available for hire and is hyper-aware of the steps between a website design project's initial brainstorm and launch.I first heard of Wix in 2016, but I hadn't looked that far into it since I was committed to another design platform. So when I noticed that part of its newest AI offerings included an upgraded website builder, I thought this would be a good time to test Wix as a website domain -- and check out its take on AI. (I will admit my curiosity was influenced by it ranking No. 1 on CNET's Website Builder list.)Wix ADI vs. Wix AI Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Wix's first iteration of its website builder, Wix ADI, launched as a quicker way to build websites. After plugging in your design requirements and preferences, ADI responds with design options based on these inputs. This allows you to customize the design process in an attempt to make designing less of a big task and more of a guided approach.Its target demographic is someone with no design experience looking for simplification and ease, yet you need a subscription plan, which ranges between $17 to $159 a month, to access it.The main difference between Wix ADI and the newer Wix AI is that Wix AI is an enhancement to ADI -- the next generation of site creation, "offering more sophisticated design and content generation abilities, as well as a suite of Wix's AI-powered tools designed to help increase your productivity and reduce the effort required to create the website you envision."With new AI upgrades, including a chat system that uses natural language processing -- machine learning that helps machines communicate in human language, like the Bing and ChatGPT chatbots -- to understand your vision, Wix AI's response is a more personalized website outcome. Plus, Wix AI is free to use.How Wix AI delivers a website design in 30 minutesI appreciate the playfulness of Wix AI's Website Builder. For anticipating the creative possibilities that lie ahead, the user experience of its landing page supported this.Once I entered the Wix Site Creation area, I was greeted with a message to start a chat about my website project. In the footer, it reminds you that "AI can make mistakes," so as always make sure you double check the accuracy of its suggestions. It also advises you not to share personal information, which you should always keep in mind when using AI chatbots -- keep personal and sensitive information off the table to avoid the risk of data breaches.These were the steps to setting up my website on Wix AI:1: The Website Builder first inquired about my Site Name, Site Type, Site Applications and my project Goals. Then, I was asked about the services I'd offer and any specific website end goals.2: I was asked about specific features that would support these goals. I didn't know the answer to this, so I asked Wix AI for some suggestions. Screenshot by CNET3: The natural language processing system then took those answers and generated a website for me. It included a Site Brief that breaks down what structures were added to my website, plus the ability to Make It A Little Different or Regenerate Site. I ended up utilizing this feature because I wasn't pleased with the first take -- including a stock photo of a hand that literally could not belong to me, nor my target audience.4: Wix's second attempt at a website design was more aligned, including a mosaic-like style that worked well with my simple, organized vision. From here, you can adjust the content and design details: typography, images, colors, line weights, text and moving around design blocks. 5: My website resulted in five blocks, including Website Menu/Homepage, Offerings, Gallery Showcase, Philosophy and Footer. Knowing that I could easily spend the other 150 minutes of my initial expectation toggling around and fine-tuning each area of my site, I was happy with what Wix built for me in 30.Should you try Wix's AI Website Builder? The website design Wix AI came up with for me. Screenshot by CNETAs someone who has entered -- and quickly exited -- a $1,000 website design course, I enjoyed the Wix AI Website Builder for its design process. The chat system was my favorite part; it felt like I was working one-on-one with a design consultant. And since it forced me to think about my end goal and design needs (which I believe is half the struggle), navigating a website design after the structure is laid out based on your specific needs feels much more approachable.Now, I absolutely label myself as someone with no design experience, who is short on time (and patience) and whose end goal was to get something up to consider it complete. The Wix AI Website Builder wasn't created for someone who designs daily, but a design-savvy professional could find the website-building experience a fun tool to navigate and explore. And for someone with no design experience, it made the task easy, possible and fast.I could name numerous activities that waste 30 minutes -- you know, those that seemingly feel like three hours -- but I wouldn't rank Wix AI's Website Builder up there. We all deserve to express our needs and have them met, even if it's with an artificial intelligence platform.And it listens! And responds accordingly. Fascinating.

Dear reader, we've entered a new year and there's likely a lot on your plate. Consider upgrading your home with some smart tech in 2025, so you can spend less time on chores and more on the things you love. That means it might be time to check out a robot vacuum, and we've got a great deal on one today from Best Buy. For today only, you can get this Ecovacs robot vacuum and mop with an auto-leaning station for just $330, which is a massive $470 off. See at Best BuyThis impressive little helper can not only vacuum your carpets and mop your hard floors, but it can tell which is which, ensuring it lifts the mop up when needed. It can auto-map your home to learn where to go and when. It can avoid furniture, and it's light enough that you can pick it up and move it when needed. The cleaning station also means you don't have to do as much maintenance, which is lovely. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.This is easily one of the best robot vacuum deals on right now, and likely one of the better ones we'll see in the coming weeks too. So, make sure you make your purchase soon if you like it, because this deal is only on for today. And we've found even more smart home deals if you're looking to overhaul your home for the new year.Why this deal mattersRobot vacuums can be prohibitively expensive. This one would normally set you back $800, and while we're all a little lighter when it comes to the bank balance in January, a big reduction of $470 means this is a lot more affordable for a lot of people. We just don't want you to have to vacuum anymore.

On a recent weekday, I was stumped for ideas about what to make for dinner. So I opened my fridge, held the Camera Control button on my iPhone 16, snapped a photo and uploaded the image to ChatGPT and Google.Both virtual assistants surprised me with their recommendations; Google suggested I make a salad with grapes and veggies, while ChatGPT noticed the pickles sitting on the top shelf and advised I add them to a wrap or sandwich.Using your phone's camera to find recipes may just be the start. If tech giants are to be believed, the cameras on our phones are going to play a much bigger role in everyday tasks. And soon.Rather than just telling your phone what you want, you'll be able to show your phone the world around you. Companies such as Apple, Google, OpenAI, Qualcomm and Meta seem to be moving in this trajectory, considering all of them introduced new camera-based AI features or concepts for smartphones and smart glasses in 2024. Instead of just enabling you to snap photos and preserve memories, tech companies are exploring the idea of turning the camera into a sort of visual search engine. Point your device's camera at a restaurant, and it'll pull up key details like its operating hours and photos of the food, for example. In one of the biggest testaments to a camera-first future, Google, Samsung and Qualcomm unveiled Android XR in December. This new version of Android is designed to run on headsets and smart glasses and uses the camera and Google's Gemini assistant to answer questions about your surroundings in real time.It's certainly a shift away from the touch-centric methods we use to operate our phones today. And while it may take some time to get used to -- if consumers embrace it at all -- analysts and tech firms believe it could represent the future of how we use our mobile devices."Camera and visual feedback, whether it's uploading a picture of something or giving it your camera feed, is going to be really important going forward," Google's Seang Chau, vice president and general manager of the Android platform, said in a previous interview.Read more: The Biggest Phones to Expect in 2025: iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 and MoreYour phone's camera is evolving with AI The Pixel 9's camera James Martin/CNETGenerative AI chatbots had a breakthrough in 2023 thanks to OpenAI's ChatGPT. In 2024, tech companies set the stage for the next phase of AI helpers: multimodal AI agents. In plain English, that refers to AI-powered virtual assistants that can understand multiple types of input (i.e. text, speech and images) and handle tasks on your behalf.Imagine scanning a restaurant bill with your phone's camera and asking a virtual helper to split the cost between the party and add a tip. That technology isn't quite there yet, but mobile chipmaker Qualcomm pointed to it as an example of a scenario that could be possible in the near future as AI agents advance.In 2024, the building blocks of these more futuristic assistants started falling into place. Both OpenAI and Google made improvements to how their models and systems process multiple types of inputs. In December, OpenAI updated ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode with the ability to share your phone's video feed or screen with the digital assistant so that you could ask questions without having to upload photos. Android XR and Google's Project Astra take that a step further by putting cameras closer to your line of sight -- in headsets and glasses -- so that Google's assistant can do things like tell you about the landmark you're viewing in Google Maps or provide a synopsis of the book you're browsing in a bookshop. This representation of what Maps looks like on glasses was like what I experienced on dual-display prototypes, but in a contained demo space. GoogleIn yet another sign that phone-makers are increasingly thinking of the camera as a discovery tool, Apple launched a new feature called Visual Intelligence in December. Only available on the iPhone 16 series, Visual Intelligence makes it possible to learn about the world around you by pressing the new Camera Control button.Tap the button to launch the camera, and aim it at a point of interest to get more information about it. You can also snap a photo in this mode and send it to ChatGPT or Google for things like solving math problems or searching for products."Just imagine how many steps it saves us," Nabila Popal, a senior director with the International Data Corporation's data and analytics team, said in reference to camera-driven AI features. "Being able to research something, or find information on something, or add an event [to] a calendar without having to take those additional steps." With Visual Intelligence, you can hold the iPhone 16 up to a cafe or restaurant and see information like hours and photos. Numi Presarn/CNETBut the question is whether people will actually want to use these features. A CNET survey in collaboration with YouGov found that 25% of smartphone owners don't find AI features useful. While tech companies are leaning on AI to generate interest in new phones, it doesn't seem to be enticing users to upgrade. Even though the global smartphone market is expected to have grown by 6.2% year-over-year in 2024, according to the IDC, growth is expected to slow in 2025 and beyond. And AI isn't considered to be a driving force behind the surge in shipments in 2024, says the IDC's report.That's partially because consumers aren't familiar with the technology. But many of these AI features are still new and don't feel essential to our phones yet. The iPhone 16, which Apple positioned as being the first phones "built for Apple Intelligence" launched without Apple's marquee feature in September. Some of Apple Intelligence's most significant additions, like ChatGPT integration, didn't arrive until December.It's also uncertain how strong demand for the iPhone 16 has been since its launch. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for making predictions about Apple products, reportedin October that Apple had cut iPhone 16 orders by around 10 million units. A Morgan Stanley survey also indicates that lead times for the iPhone 16 were shorter than those for previous iPhones in the last five years, according to Apple Insider.Those two data points could be taken as a potential sign that iPhone 16 demand was lower than Apple had expected, but they could also mean Apple's production was in line with consumer demand. In its fiscal fourth quarter earnings, Apple reported that overall iPhone revenue grew by 6%, although it's unclear how much of that was from the iPhone 16, since Apple doesn't break out sales data for specific models.How the iPhone 16 has been received by consumers is a crucial question, because it could determine the success of Apple Intelligence, given the iPhone 16 devices are among the only phones to support the technology.Gerrit Schneemann, a senior analyst covering smartphones for Counterpoint Research, points to Samsung's Galaxy S24 lineup as another example that AI isn't a selling point for phones yet."A lot of upgraders, for example, for the S24 Ultra [were] coming from older Ultra devices," he said. "So for us, that meant they're upgrading because it's time to upgrade, not necessarily because it [has] Galaxy AI."But perhaps the camera could play a role in changing that, potentially taking AI from being gimmicky to practical.Smart glasses are coming next What it could look like to get messages through smart glasses, based on Google's video. GoogleWhile it makes sense for the cameras on our phones to be the first step towards an all-seeing AI assistant, these updates are also paving the path for smart glasses.Smart glasses famously failed to gain traction with consumer audiences roughly a decade ago in the era of Google Glass. Back then, the search giant's high-tech eyewear flopped for a few important reasons: It sparked privacy concerns, lacked use cases compelling enough to justify the high price and suffered from technical limitations such as short battery life and a narrow field of view.But generative AI has put camera-equipped spectacles back in the spotlight. Sameer Samat, president of the Android ecosystem at Google, says advancements in AI have made this the right time to reexamine the feasibility of smart glasses. The company will soon be releasing prototype smart glasses with its Project Astra technology to testers to gather feedback, a sign that smart glasses may make a comeback in 2025."We were playing around with what these models can do using the phone, and the cameras on the phone as a way of interacting with the world, and it was truly blowing us away, what was possible," Samat said. Meta's Ray-Ban glasses already have AI features. Scott Stein/CNETMeta's latest Ray-Ban glasses can already use AI to analyze what you're seeing and provide answers in real time, and the tech giantjust started rolling outalways-on AI assistance to those who are part of Meta's early access program. That means Meta's AI helper will be able to continuously listen so that you don't have to keep prompting it each time you want to ask a question. Google's prototype smart glasses work similarly; it'll passively listen for input once you activate Gemini until you pause it.When trying the Google prototype in December, CNET's Scott Stein walked around a demo room in Google's offices asking about various elements -- from books on a shelf to a Nespresso coffee machine -- without having to constantly invoke the assistant.In my own experience trying the glasses, I asked questions such as whether the plant I was looking at was ideal for indoor environments and received an answer in my ears almost instantly. Today, most people would probably take the extra steps of snapping a photo of the plant, uploading it to Gemini or ChatGPT, and then asking the question."It isn't always the most natural [thing] to be holding your phone up to everything," Samat said when talking about the inspiration behind Android XR. "Wouldn't this be perfect for a pair of glasses? That leads to us thinking about glasses."Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive are collaborating on an AI-powered computing device that's "less socially disruptive than the iPhone," according to The New York Times. While little is known about the product, the project is another sign that a wave of new AI devices is likely arriving soon.That comes after gadgets like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1, both of which run on AI-powered software and leverage the camera to answer questions about one's surroundings, got off to a rocky start in 2024. Those devices were widely panned for not living up to expectations, malfunctioning at launch and generally failing to be as intuitive or helpful as a smartphone, although both have been updated significantly in recent months.It's unclear exactly what devices of the future will look like, and what's even less certain is whether any consumer tech product will be as impactful and helpful as the devices we already carry in our pockets. But if you want a peek at where things are going, there's a good chance it all starts with the camera on the phone you own today.Eventually, generative AI features -- whether they leverage the camera or not -- will feel so essential to mobile devices that phones without the technology may feel archaic or irrelevant, according to Popal. She likens it to the arrival of the internet and app stores on our phones."The old smartphone," she says, "will just seem so not smart." The Weird and Wonderful Images We Got From Google's Pixel Studio See all photos

January 2, 20255 min readNanotech Scientists Build on an Insects Odd Soccer Ball-Like Excretions to Design Ingenious CamouflageArtificial versions of nanoscale soccer-ball-like structures called brochosomes might be used to make new forms of military camouflage, self-cleaning surfaces or hydrogen fuelBy Ivan Amato edited by Gary StixBrochosomes Science Photo Library/Alamy Stock PhotoIn the early 1950s biologists at Brooklyn College were using an electron microscope to pursue a lead that the leafhopper, a common insect that is about the size of a rice grain and named after one of its signature behaviors, could be an agent of viral transmission. In their research, the scientists incidentally observed, in their words, certain ultramicroscopic bodies, hitherto undescribed, on the wings of leafhoppers. In a 1953 note in the Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, they dubbed these minuscule, spherical, jacklike structures brochosomes, after a Greek word meaning mesh of a net.Since then a thin but determined line of scientists and engineers has built a brochosome-anchored hyperspecialty. These researchers are drawn to these subpinpoints of highly structured matter by the biological wonders they embody and the technological possibilities their elaborately porous forms and physical properties suggest. Brochosome aficionados do not hesitate to share their delight at having run across such an evolutionary tour de force.Our group first became intrigued by brochosomes around 2015, drawn to their nanoscale dimensions and intricate, three-dimensional buckyball-like geometries, says Tak-Sing Wong, a biomedical and mechanical engineer at Pennsylvania State University. We were amazed by how leafhoppers can consistently produce such complex structures at the nanoscale, especially considering that even with our most advanced micro- and nanofabrication technologies we still struggle to achieve such uniformity and scalability.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.As much as anyone interested in these structures, Wong has been working to channel his brochosome envy into the creation of a cabinet of technological curiosities based on brochosomes knack for absorbing specific ranges of visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. Wong, with his partners at Penn State and Carnegie Mellon University, has been granted two U.S. patents and has others pending for processes to manufacture synthetic counterparts to brochosomes.Wong says the synthetic brochosomes are potentially suitable for a range of applications, including antireflection and camouflage materials, anticounterfeiting, data encryption and an optical security, tactic in which hidden information becomes visible only when it is illuminated with, say, infrared or ultraviolet light. The researchers have been able to garner grant money from the Office of Naval Research, which is always on the lookout for the next way to make it harder for adversaries to detect and track naval vessels, aircraft and other U.S. military assets.Much of the recent brochosome-inspired R&D around the world, Wong notes, derives from the ultra-antireflective upgrade that nature-made brochosomes add to leafhoppers body. Its not just cool optical physics: this trick of the light renders the insects stealthy on leaf surfaces where hungry insects, birds and spiders scan for prey.Some of the forays into brochosome biology have revealed that these natural nanoscale innovations are composed of proteins and lipids that get assembled into the stealth-making nanospheres within specialized compartments of the insects Malpighian tubules, which are kidneylike excretory organs. With their hind legs, the insects groom their entire little selves with brochosome-packed microdroplets from their anus, resulting in light-absorptive cloaks that help them live another day.But the nanospheres are good for more than just concealment. In a recent addition to the growing list of concepts and prototypes of brochosome-inspired technologies, Wongs Penn State team joined Carnegie Mellon University researchers, led by mechanical engineer Sheng Shen, with an eye to delivering new materials not just for camouflage but for novel security and encryption devices as well. The technology leverages peoples inability to perceive infrared light.As the researchers were making measurements of optical and other physical aspects of synthetic brochosomes, they noticed that while these structures appeared identical under visible light, they exhibited dramatic contrasts in infrared imaging, Shen says. And that sparked an encryption- and security-technology idea, which the researchers now are pursuing. The team is asking whether it might be possible to encode infrared information invisibly within the visible spectrum. A small dot of such an infrared-active brochosome material on currency could serve as a signature of authenticity and add an additional hurdle for would-be counterfeiters.Researchers have explored a half-dozen ways of fabricating synthetic brochosomes of various sizes and geometries. Through the use of different polymeric, ceramic and metallic materials, the cabinet of brochosome-inspired technocuriosities is only becoming more eye-catching.A team of Chinese researchers who are brochosome fans recently reported a process for making a vivid spectrum of color-bestowing particles by filling tiny indentationsnanobowl spaceson silver brochosome structures with tiny polystyrene spheres. When the researchers tailored the sizes of the spheres with a precise etching method, they were able to tweak the electromagnetic interactions between the spheres and, thereby, the apparent colors of the synthetic brochosome-structures. In an ACS Nano paper in which the researchers rolled out their color-making strategy, they suggested this opened a pathway for producing longer-lasting and more stable colors compared with shorter-lived chemical dyes and pigments.A different Chinese research group, attempting to emulate the master-of-disguise feats of chameleons, cephalopods and other creatures, fabricated tungsten-oxide-based brochosome structures that become less reflective when they are electrically stimulated. One possible end point for this work could be energy-saving applicationswindows that could regulate the amount of solar and thermal energy that passed through them over the course of the day.On an even more expansive and eclectic to-do list are light-harvesting electrodes that could generate and corral energized electrons to make hydrogen fuel and self-cleaning surfaces that could repel liquids and adhesives. Also on the list are sensors that could be tailored for detecting specific bacteria and proteins for environmental monitoring and health applications. Additionally, there is the prospect of brochosome-inspired particles whose pores and surfaces could be tailored to carry specific drugs to target tissues.The promise seems enormous, but an era of brochosome-inspired technology is not an immediate prospect. One of the major bottlenecks to the widespread use of synthetic brochosomes is the lack of scalable production technologies, as their complex 3D shapes and nanoscale dimensions remain challenging to replicate at scale, Wong cautions.Whether specific brochosome-inspired technologies get to the finish line or not, Wong says that he loves sharing his work with nonscientist family members and friends. They are immediately captivated by the beauty of the brochosomes soccer-ball-looking structures, he says. When I explain that the structures are about 100 times thinner than the diameter of a hair, they can hardly believe it.Meanwhile Shen welcomes a humbling aspect of this research romance with brochosomes. Its a powerful reminder that innovation doesnt always need to come from human ingenuity, he says. Sometimes nature has already solved the problems were working on.