Over the past 17 years or so, I have happily paid for hundreds of e-bookseverything from reference works to history to novels to comics. Having immediate access to all of them on a device that fits in my pocket ranks among my favorite miracles of the digital age.For 2025, however, I have a new reading mantra: Fewer electrons, more paper. My goal is to do some reading of printed books every day. By the end of the year, I hope to have read more of them in their entirety than I have in years.Why would I, a longtime devotee of e-books, choose to spend less time with them? E-reading does have its critics: According to some studies, comprehension of what youve read suffers when its from a screen rather than paper. A variety of other adverse outcomes are allegedly associated with digital reading, from poor sleep to (I just learned) dry eyes.But Im not cutting back on digital reading for any of these reasons. Im doing it to give print a chance at restoring the joy it offered when it was a bigger part of my life.Its not like I have to go out of my way to acquire hardcovers and paperbacks to read. My home is bulging with them in ever-increasing quantities, since I still love to get lost in a good bookstore and its tough to leave without buying something, or several somethings. (E-book stores, by contrast, are utilitarian at best and have lately become awash in AI-generated spam and scams.) Just getting through the volumes piled on my nightstand will keep me busy for a while.Whether I gain deeper comprehension of a book when I read the printed version, Im not sure. But paper is unquestionably far more immersive than screen reading. Even on a dedicated e-reader instead of a phone or tablet, theres no way an e-book can command 100% of your attention; its just too tempting to flit over to other titles in your library. By contrast, paper books are the ultimate purpose-built devicesfree of competing distractions such as notifications and social media, delightfully bespoke in format, and sometimes fascinating just as objects. (Relevant side note: My friend David Gerstein recently cowrote the definitive book about Donald Duck, packed with more than 11 pounds of richly illustrated information about the cartoon duckand no, it isnt available as an e-book.)Bottom line: If youre into the full visceral experience of reading rather than skimming and searching, can deal with the bulk, and arent in a dimly lit room, paper books are just better.Another benefit of leaning into printed books is that itll create a clear boundary between business hours and personal time. I spend something like 98% of my workday staring at various screens. Only rarely do I find myself touching paper. Thats okay: Work-related reading is generally more about expedience than bonding with the material. By contrast, the moments I carve off for printed books will be pure Me Time. And who cant use more of that?As relevant as print remains, I cant help but think that the gap between it and e-reading reflects an opportunity blown by the tech industry. E-books first gained momentum way back in 2007, when Amazon shipped its first Kindle (heres my original review). In some ways, theyve barely progressed as a craft since then. Wildly different works get crammed into the same generic templates; typography is usually pedestrian at best. Instead of getting more soothingly booklike, the Kindles interface has grown more cacophonous with features over time. Thats no way to catch up with prints inherent pleasantness. Theres nothing inherently clunky about digital design. But e-books havent even caught up with the webs ability to deliver good taste, visual ambition, and custom-built portals into unique reading experiences, let alone matched prints centuries of refinement on those fronts. For example, the Steve Jobs book Make Something Wonderful is way nicer as a website than as an e-book from Apples Book Store.If e-books lived up to their full potential, they might have trounced print as thoroughly as other forms of digital media have done to their physical forebears. Instead, data from the Association of American Publishers shows them making up only about 10% of the book market by dollar sales, with hardbacks and paperbacks still dominant. I wouldnt have predicted that, and even as a mostly electronic reader, I find it reassuring. Book fans, it seems, have spoken.Back to my plans for this year. Im not swearing off e-books altogether, and I wont measure my success in terms of the number of print books read. This is about quality time, not quantity, and the worst outcome of all would be it feeling like a chore. How itll go, well seeand I promise a follow-up report in January 2026.Read/Listen/Watch/TryA great AI newsletter. There are a seemingly infinite number of AI newsletters out there, many of which make for rewarding reading (including my colleague Mark Sullivans AI Decoded). One of my favorites is One Useful Thing, by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick. Hes excited about the technologys potential, levelheaded about its limitations, and focused on its real-world impact, particularly as a productivity tool. I learn something new from every issue.Youve been reading Plugged In,Fast Companys weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to youor if youre reading it on FastCompany.comyou cancheck out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Wednesday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me athmccracken@fastcompany.comwith your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. Im also happy to hear from you on Bluesky, Mastodon, or Threads.More top tech stories from Fast CompanyIs Mark Zuckerberg becoming a mini-Elon Musk?Metas decision to rely on X-style Community Notes could spell disaster for objective fact on social media.Read MoreSam Altman offers clues about where OpenAI is headedIn his latest blog post, Altman gave his take on whats been happening behind the scenes at OpenAIand whats next for its technology.Read MoreThis is going to make me very uncomfortable: The 75 Hard challenge is blowing up on TikTokParticipants of the viral trend are working out twice per day, cutting out booze, and observing a strict diet.Read MoreIt took NASA decades to develop this special rocket engine. AI made it in 3 weeksLeap 71 designed and 3D printed an aerospike, one of the most elusive rocket engines in history.Read MoreWed welcome this robot overlord into our homesA one-armed robot vacuum that picks up dirty socks? Sign us up.Read MoreTry this technique to schedule deep work directly into your calendarBy specifying how long to spend on each task, timeboxing helps you create a realistic plan that takes into account your priorities and available time.Read More

US robotics company Tombot has unveiled Jennie,a battery and AI-powered robotic pet designed to provide companionship and comfort to those struggling with cognitive health.With artistic design by Muppets creator Jim Henson's Creature Shop, Jennie was created by Tombot CEO Tom Stevens in response to his mother's dementia, which resulted in the pair re-homing a dog after she could no longer properly care for the pet. The robotic dog was presented this week at tech fair CES in Las Vegas.Tombot has unveiled a robotic pet dog at CES 2025Jennie follows the size and shape of a small, reclined Labrador Retriever puppy. It is outfitted with touch sensors to respond to human pets and produces AI-generated barks and recorded "puppy sounds" in response to voice commands.The "robotic pet" was designed to look and act like a puppy to provide support for elders facing mild cognitive impairment or others with mental health challenges such as depression, PTSD or loneliness.Jennie the puppy was created to serve as a companion for those with dementia or other cognitive and mental health challenges"[The] hyper-realistic, fully-autonomous Labrador retriever puppy known as Jennie was created to bring comfort and support to the 300+ million seniors struggling with dementia or mild cognitive impairment," said Tombot."Jennie offers an unparalleled experience that captures the sounds, movements and interactions of a real puppy."The robot was designed to resemble a Labrador Retriever puppyAccording to Tombot, peer-reviewed studies indicate robotic animals have the capacity to ease the symptoms of dementia such as hallucinations or aggressive outbursts associated with the condition.Jennie was also designed as a cost-effective and accessible alternative to owning a real pet, a challenge for some facing behavioural or cognitive struggles.Read: Robots should be "good neighbours and good citizens" says Madeline Gannon"Jennie can provide a similar sense of companionship without the typical challenges of pet ownership," said the team. "Jennie is a pet for people who can not have pets."It is powered by a rechargeable battery, while a Smartphone app allows users to name their model and monitor engagement. Regular Jennie software updates will also be available according to Tombot.It is powered by a rechargeable battery and outfitted with sensors to respond to touchThe company previously presented the robotic puppy at CES in 2020, but has since expanded its range of motion including a blinking action and reduced its size to fit comfortably on a user's lap.Tombot also aims to register Jennies as "the first robotic puppies to be FDA-registered medical devices" to serve in hospitals and other care facilities.Other technology unveiled at CES 2025 in Las Vegas includes an instant at-home hormone testing kit by Eli Health, while last year LG presented a two-legged robot designed to complete household tasks.CES 2025 takes place in Las Vegas from 7 to 10 January 2025. See Dezeen Events Guidefor an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.The photography is courtesy of TombotThe post Tombot and Creature Shop create "hyper-realistic" robotic puppy for dementia patients appeared first on Dezeen.

I am all for floor-cleaning robots ; they can't do you much harm from down there. But Australian manufacturer Roborock decided to give their Saros Z70 robo-cleaner a freaking five-axis arm and a claw.The idea is that when it encounters an obstacle blocking its path, it lifts it out of the way to continue cleaning.It can also pick up things like your snotty tissues and throw them into a wastebasket (provided you program in the location of the wastebasket). It can perform these feats thanks to its dual-camera systemone on the chassis, one on the claw armwhich I'm sure the company doesn't use to spy on you. If you want to prevent the machine from pursuing you, you must erect a barrier larger than a threshold. The company says they've pre-programmed the units to recognize 108 objects, though they haven't disclosed what those objects are. (Sure, I'm paranoid for thinking that if this finds your passport or a credit card on the ground, it picks it up and photographs it.) You can program in a further 50 objects, because that is definitely what you should spend your free time doing.The units will roll out later this year. No price has been announced.

Here's a small, thoughtful detail on ski accessory manufacturer Yardsale's poles: They contain embedded magnets, making a pair of them easier to carry. Their P1 Poles, aimed at the casual skier, run $149 and are available in several different fixed lengths. Their $189 P2 Poles feature longer grips and are aimed at backcountry skiers. The handles feature a button that allows you to adjust the shaft length. After posting their invention on TikTok, company founders Kelly McGee and Cristina Asbaugh drew the attention of "Shark Tank's" producers and were invited onto the show. They secured $250,000 in funding from guest shark Kendra Scott, in exchange for 10% equity and a $5 royalty per unit sold, until Scott recouped $300,000.

People who struggle with hormonal conditions and other illnesses related to it usually have to go through a lot of tests and doctor appointments. There are times though when its a bit tough to work around in terms of schedules and even budget, even though monitoring your hormone levels are necessary. Good thing were getting options for more practical and easier ways to get some of these tests done.Designer: Eli HealthThe Hormometer is an at-home test that you can take and all you need is the kit, your saliva, and your smartphone. Its a non invasive, portable, and accessible way to do hormone-testing from the comfort of your home, whether for medical or just personal reasons, like part of the hormone balancing trend were seeing on social media. There are two kinds of tests offered: cortisol for those regulating things like blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, and progesterone for those that are dealing with reproductive issues. How the Hormometer works is pretty simple. You stick the thin cartridge in your mouth and lets it gather saliva for around 60 seconds. It looks like a pregnancy test or a COVID test kit. After collecting the fluid, you use your smartphones camera to let the app assess the results and you can see it as well on the window in the cartridge. The app will then provide recommendations for things related to sleep, fertility, athletic performance, stress, etc.This device is FDA registered, which is different from the clearance or approval we normally see. The company says that it has a 97% (cortisol) and 94% (progesterone) agreement with FDA-approved lab tests. Theyre also developing tests for testosterone and estradiol levels as well which theyll release in the future. The Hormometers future developments promise even greater flexibility and utility. By expanding its testing capabilities to include additional hormones, it aims to address a wider range of health concerns. This adaptability ensures that the device remains relevant and useful as users needs evolve, positioning it as a vital component of modern health management.In essence, the Hormometer transforms how individuals approach hormone testing. By making the process more accessible, accurate, and user-friendly, it supports a healthier lifestyle and encourages proactive health management. As technology continues to advance, innovations like the Hormometer will play an increasingly important role in personal healthcare, offering practical solutions for everyday health challenges.The post Hormometer is an at-home test for hormone levels first appeared on Yanko Design.

This year at CES Unveiled, we caught a glimpse of something extremely unusual yet so exciting. We saw a stool with a lamp walking right up to us, only to realize it was a robot! Called Mi-Mo, this new AI-powered robot was one of our favorites at the trade show. Designed by the innovative minds at Japanese robotics company Jizai, this robot is the worlds first customizable General-Purpose AI robot. If you look at it, it looks like a fusion of a mid-century modern table and one of the mutant toys from Toy Story! Pretty cool, eh? It also looks a little like WALL-E, if Im being honest.Designer: JizaiThe robot is supported by six sleek and wood-capped metal legs, and it waves gently to onlookers completely enchanting them with its charming and docile nature. Mi-Mo is powered by various AI models, which gives it the power to think, act, and adapt by utilizing different visual, audio, and movement cues. The models can be modified by software engineers, allowing their capabilities to be enhanced and elevated. Mi-Mo was designed to look like a piece of furniture. It is made from real wood, and it also moves like a living creature, which is pretty fascinating, It will have more hardware add-ons and sensor attachments in the future, powering it with more functionality.Mi-Mo certainly had everyones attention with its engaging and interesting performance. It seemed to be gracefully shimmying across the floor, and nodding its glowing head at the audience. Mi-Mo can interact playfully with onlookers, and it does have the potential for more applications in the future. Jizais CEO, Yuki Ishikawa predicts a world where Mi-Mo will assist with tasks, fetching things for its owners, and harmoniously integrating into our daily lives. Mi-Mo could function as a responsive and intuitive assistant.Mi-Mos preorder waitlist is now open, and interested buyers can also sign up at CES 2025 in person. This exclusive in-person signup process makes the whole ordeal even more exciting and interesting. Mi-Mo will be available in different preferences and prices to accommodate different budgets. The tabletop version will be compact and versatile priced at $3,500. The larger, full-sized model will be available for $30,000 so there is a Mi-Mo out there for everyone! You could own a charming, Pixar-inspired robotic companion with Mi-Mo. Although, some could say its like having your very own Dystopian servant. It will make for a unique addition to any home or office setting. But, currently, Mi-Mo still seems to be in the long testing phase, so we are unsure when exactly it will be made available to the public.The post You Can Now Own A Charming Pixar-Inspired Robotic Companion With This New AI-Powered Robot first appeared on Yanko Design.

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The United Automobile Workers union asked a federal labor regulator to conduct an election at a factory Ford jointly owns with a South Korean battery company.

Mr. Musk has fallen out with prominent right-wing Americans who say they are worried that their agenda may be sidelined in favor of his own and that he is willing to silence them on X.