Investors can aim not only to make money but to benefit society while doing so. But few of those impact investors follow up on whether their strategy is having a positive impact, we found in a study published in the Journal of Business Ethics.Impact investing aims to generate financial returns while also creating positive social or environmental outcomes. But having the intention of doing good by selecting the right assets doesnt guarantee that you will. We call this uncertainty impact risk.After conducting 124 interviews with impact investors and an experiment with 435 participants, we found that, rather than evaluate impact risk directly, many impact investors presume that they will succeed at having a positive effect on the world when they assess their investment options.In other words, they assume that certain businesses, such as solar energy companies or microfinance initiatives, are inherently good for society. This win-win mindset leads investors to focus primarily on financial performance rather than on evaluating whether their investments are achieving social or environmental impacts. Often, this means that investors cant determine whether specific investments perform better than others on social metrics.We found that this mindset discourages investors from seeking information that might point to shortcomings in an investments social performance.Why it mattersImpact investment, a rapidly growing area of finance, surpassed US$1.5 trillion globally by the end of 2024, according to the Global Impact Investing Network. The industry has attracted a range of investors, including wealthy individuals, banks, development finance institutions, corporations, foundations, pension funds and religious institutions.Nearly 75% of younger individual investors, including millennials and Gen Z, prioritize aligning investments with their social values.With much of the projected $84 trillion in wealth expected to be inherited from older people by 2045 flowing to millennials and other younger Americans, in what has been called the great wealth transfer, financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Vanguard are trying harder to appeal to impact investors. They now offer a range of investment options promising both social impact and financial performance.We found, however, that good intentions alone may not deliver consistent social impact. Without robust risk assessments and ongoing evaluations of whether investments have the intended outcomes, impact investments may fall short of their goals.What still isnt knownMany questions remain about how investors can effectively assess impact risks without creating potentially onerous reporting requirements for themselves or their clients. Some of our related research has determined that financial managers are concerned about this potential burden.But new regulations are likely anyway. For instance, a proposed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule would require public corporations in the U.S. to disclose risks associated with climate change. Yet, due to pending litigation, the rules implementation has been delayed perhaps indefinitely.Whats nextOur next phase of research is building on these findings by examining how impact investors seek out and respond to evidence of underperformance. With additional colleagues at the University of Virginia, we are currently investigating whether moral clarity the extent to which people feel confident in their ethical decision-making influences investors behavior.By continuing to research connections between impact and financial performance, we aim to contribute to a broader conversation, both in academia and in practice, about how to ensure investments truly benefit people and the planet.Lauren Kaufmann is an assistant professor of business administration at University of Virginia.Helet Botha is an assistant professor of business policy and strategy at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Theres so much simplicity in the LEGO Salt & Pepper shakers design that it almost feels like the most natural interpretation of what salt or pepper shakers should be. Designed to look like oversized individual LEGO 11 stud bricks, these shakers actually come from LEGO, featuring the companys famous logo on the top of the stud. Fill them with salt and pepper and you have the perfect themed shakers for your kitchen or dining table.The shakers come in black and white, doing a brilliant job of simply explaining things without really relying on labels, details, or anything extraneous that would take away from their brick-based design. The best part, however, is that they actually function like LEGO bricks, stacking one above the other for some fun at the dinner table!Designer: LEGOClick Here to Buy NowThe shakers are, according to LEGOs own stats, a whopping 600x bigger than the standard 11 LEGO brick. Theyre perfectly sized for gripping, have optimized holes that allow seasoning to pour through with absolute ease, and stack vertically in a way that almost feels like a fidget interaction. Id probably buy a bunch of them just to make a tower or some LEGO contraption!You fill the shakers by accessing the opening below. Rubber gasketing ensures the opening closes shut with a tight seal so that salt and pepper dont spill out accidentally mid-shake. The opening is also fairly thick, accommodating the reverse-stud design that allows the shakers to nestle into one another, creating a 21 tower.The shakers are available on LEGOs website as well as on Amazon, but I honestly wish LEGO came up with a few more colors, just for a variety of other seasonings. Yellow for turmeric or curry powder, dark brown for cinnamon, light tan for onion or garlic powder, red for paprika. Wouldnt it be just fun to have an entire colorful spice rack thats actually a row of LEGO brick spice shakers? Well, although LEGO doesnt make other colors, theres always the option of 3D printing them (you can get the CAD files online). Just make sure theyre well-printed or they might break or become ridiculously difficult to use/clean!Click Here to Buy NowThe post These Adorable LEGO Salt and Pepper Shakers Add Some Stackable Fun To Your Kitchen first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple's Messages app has a built-in safeguard to prevent links or phone numbers in unsolicited messages on iPhones from being clickable, and now scammers are trying to trick the unwary into enabling them.If only all scam calls and text messages were this easy to spot.By default, if you receive a text message on an iPhone or other Apple device from an unknown sender, any links therein are disabled. Once you reply to a message, however, the Messages app then allows clickable links, reports Bleeping Computer.Scammers and other threat actors have developed a way around this restriction that savvy users will spot easily, but novice users might fall for. Often, this "smishing" attack comes in the form of a notice of an unpaid bill for a small amount, or a "failed delivery" notification. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreAfter six decades of dreaming and experimenting, we might be on the cusp of a technology-enabled revolution in education. The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools recently approved the application by Unbound Academy for a new online school that will replace traditional teachers with AI teaching assistants, promising to deliver 2.4 times the academic growth for students compared to results from conventional schools.This advance is not the result of another incremental tech experiment instead, it represents the latest chapter in a 60-year quest in computer assisted instruction (CAI) to transform education through technology. This time, the evidence suggests a true breakthrough might be near. If this Academy and similar initiatives are successful, it will mark the fulfillment of a long-held dream.The idea of using computers to assist student learning dates to the 1950s, with the first application Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations (PLATO) appearing in 1961. PLATO offered interactive lessons and real-time feedback using terminals connected by telephone lines to a time-share computer system. Like other time-share systems, PLATO ultimately failed due to the high expenses required.Other attempts at immersive, experimental learning famously included Second Life a virtual world accessible through the Internet where people participated as avatars in the early 2000s. Although not explicitly a CAI tool, Second Life demonstrated the potential for immersive virtual learning environments. At one point at least 300 universities around the world including Stanford and Harvard taught courses or conducted research on the platform. Ultimately, Second Life struggled due to a poor user interface (UI), robust technical requirements, a steep learning curve and an inability to scale.The advent of generative AI in 2017 marked a turning point in CAI, with tools like Writable and Photomath enhancing both teaching and learning. Writable, for example, uses AI to provide feedback on student writing, helping teachers manage large workloads. As reported by Axios, Writable uses ChatGPT to produce comments and observations that are sent to the teacher, who is expected to review and tweak them before providing the feedback to the students.Such tools highlight AIs growing role in addressing the long-standing resource constraints of traditional education. In some school districts in the U.S., primary class sizes exceed 40 students. If a teacher spent 10 minutes reading and critiquing a writing assignment from each student, that would be 400 minutes, or more than 6.6 hours outside of class time, to provide feedback for one assignment. That seems untenable, especially in combination with evaluating other student assignments. A boost from technology will help to address this challenge.AI-powered tutoring at scaleIn a more comprehensive approach, the Khan Academy, led by founder Sal Khan, has been offering free online education tutorials since 2008. In 2023, the company launched Khanmigo, an interactive AI tutor for students that incorporates ChatGPT.In a 2023 TED Talk, Khan talked about the potential of Khanmigo for improving student performance. In the talk, he discussed a 1984 paper titled The 2 Sigma Problem by Professor of education Benjamin Bloom, then at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.Caption: Khan Academy founder Sal Khan discusses AI-powered tutoring in a 2023 TED Talk. Source: The often-cited paper argued that students receiving individualized tutoring performed two standard deviations better than those receiving only traditional classroom instruction. However, Bloom was aware that this level of tutoring was impractical due to resource constraints including the costs of obtaining human tutors. Bloom believed the solution was to devise more economical interventions that could approach the benefits of tutoring.Khan argues that though the application of AI-infused technology, Khanmigo effectively overcomes the resource constraints. As noted in a Harvard Business School case study, Khan said that Khanmigo might be that holy grail weve all been reading about in science fiction for years, about an AI that could emulate a human tutor.Students who receive 1:1 human tutoring tested two standard deviations better than those who did not have individual tutoring. Source: https://web.mit.edu/5.95/www/readings/bloom-two-sigma.pdfSome have pointed to flaws in the Bloom paper, questioning the evidence supporting his conclusion and dismissing the claims as being farfetched. In an effort to separate science fiction from science fact, Paul von Hippel, a professor and associate dean for research in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, opined that the two standard deviation claim is both exaggerated and oversimplified. Nevertheless, there is little question that the application of technology tools could improve educational outcomes.Balancing efficiency and human connectionWhile AI tools show immense promise in addressing resource constraints, their adoption raises broader questions about the role of human connection in learning. Which brings us back to Unbound Academy. Students will spend two hours online each school morning working through AI-driven lessons in math, reading, and science. Tools like Khanmigo and IXL will personalize the instruction and analyze progress, adjusting the difficulty and content in real-time to optimize learning outcomes. The Charter application asserts that this ensures that each student is consistently challenged at their optimal level, preventing boredom or frustration.Unbound Academys model significantly reduces the role of human teachers. Instead, human guides provide emotional support and motivation while also leading workshops on life skills. What will students lose by spending most of their learning time with AI instead of human instructors, and how might this model reshape the teaching profession?The Unbound Academy model is already used in several private schools and the results they have obtained are used to substantiate the advantages it claims. Yet, it is not clear how a computer-based model will impact a students ability to foster human connections outside of a traditional school setting. These issues and questions highlight the complex trade-offs schools like Unbound Academy must navigate as they redefine the educational landscape.Is the revolution here?The Academy is not the only instance of AI being used in schools. Khanmigo is being piloted in 266 school districts in the U.S. in grades three through 12.As reported by CBS, the software is used by teachers as well as students. This pilot program offers a glimpse into how AI could integrate into existing education systems, supporting both teachers and students by enhancing lesson planning, saving time and providing real-time insights into student progress.CAI has come a long way since PLATO, although it has taken more than 60 years. If AI-driven models succeed, they could democratize access to high-quality instruction. While AI has the potential to widen existing disparities, it also offers unprecedented opportunities to bring quality education to underserved communities.As schools like Unbound Academy and those piloting Khanmigo pioneer AI-driven teaching models, they are not just testing a new educational approach they are challenging our fundamental assumptions about how learning happens and what role human teachers should play in that process. The results could reshape education for generations to come.Gary Grossman is EVP of technology practice at Edelman and global lead of the Edelman AI Center of Excellence. DataDecisionMakersWelcome to the VentureBeat community!DataDecisionMakers is where experts, including the technical people doing data work, can share data-related insights and innovation.If you want to read about cutting-edge ideas and up-to-date information, best practices, and the future of data and data tech, join us at DataDecisionMakers.You might even considercontributing an articleof your own!Read More From DataDecisionMakers

AtPhotobooth Supply Co., we call this role a"Customer Advocate"because your mission is to champion our customers' success. We believe that friendly, empathetic, and knowledgeable support can make someone's day, and we're committed to making every customer interactionwhether via email, phone, or chata positive and impactful experience.This is atechnical support role, not your standard customer service position. If you thrive on troubleshooting complex software issues, solving unique problems, and communicating technical solutions with clarity, this could be the perfect fit for you.What You'll Do:Troubleshoot Complex Issues:Leverage your2+ years of technical support experienceto resolve software-related issues, including analyzing logs to uncover and address root causes.Communicate Clearly:Simplify complex technical concepts for our customers, ensuring they feel supported and informed every step of the way.Investigate and Solve:Approach intricate problems with curiosity, conducting thorough research to develop effective solutions.Educate and Empower:Collaborate with teammates to share insights and continuously expand both individual and team knowledge.Delight Customers:Deliver empathetic and personable support, creating positive customer experiences that go above and beyond expectations.Team Collaboration:Partner with colleagues to brainstorm creative, out-of-the-box solutions for unique challenges.We are looking for candidates who are able to work the following time shift:Thursday - Monday, 8 PM - 5 AM Pacific Time If you do not confirm you are available for a time shift, your application will automatically be disqualified. RequirementsWhat We're Looking For:Technical Expertise:Minimum of2 years of technical support experience, demonstrating strong troubleshooting skills. Problem-Solving Mindset:Naturally curious and driven to uncover the root cause of issues, with a proactive approach to resolution.Confident Communication:Skilled at explaining technical information in simple, clear terms. You're comfortable asking questions, documenting findings, and sharing insights.Empathy and Understanding:Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to deliver compassionate and thoughtful support in both written and verbal communications.Attention to Detail:Strong command of English grammar (we're fans of the Oxford comma) and precision in both troubleshooting and communication.Team Player:Thrives in a collaborative environment, supporting and learning from teammates to achieve shared goals.Preferred Skills (Not Required):Familiarity with photography equipment, photo booth software, or related industries.Experience with Zendesk. A passion for learning new technologies and adapting quickly to changes.USA applicants must live in one of the following states:ArizonaCalifornia - preferredColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisMontanaNevadaNew HampshireNew YorkNorth CarolinaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandTexasUtahVirginiaWyomingWhy Join Photobooth Supply Co.?AtPhotobooth Supply Co., we help entrepreneurs succeed by providing innovative photo booth solutions and exceptional customer support. As a Tier 2 Overnight Technical Support Advocate, you'll play a crucial role in empowering our customers to thrive in their businesses. If you're a proactive problem solver who's passionate about delivering outstanding support, we'd love to hear from you!Ready to apply?Let's make magic togetherapply now and help our photo booth owners shine!Benefits Health Benefits (US only) 401K for California Based Employees Education Stipend Remote Work Bonus Plan Annual Retreat Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule Quarterly Financial Meetings Open Book Management Intimate Team Work from Home Stipend

USA BASED CANDIDATES ONLY - Read below for a list of eligible statesAtPhotobooth Supply Co., we call this role a"Customer Advocate"because your mission is to champion our customers' success. We believe that friendly, empathetic, and knowledgeable support can make someone's day, and we're committed to making every customer interactionwhether via email, phone, or chata positive and impactful experience.This is atechnical support role, not your standard customer service position. If you thrive on troubleshooting complex software issues, solving unique problems, and communicating technical solutions with clarity, this could be the perfect fit for you.What You'll Do:Troubleshoot Complex Issues:Leverage your3+ years of technical support experienceto resolve software-related issues, including analyzing logs to uncover and address root causes.Communicate Clearly:Simplify complex technical concepts for our customers, ensuring they feel supported and informed every step of the way.Investigate and Solve:Approach intricate problems with curiosity, conducting thorough research to develop effective solutions.Educate and Empower:Collaborate with teammates to share insights and continuously expand both individual and team knowledge.Delight Customers:Deliver empathetic and personable support, creating positive customer experiences that go above and beyond expectations.Team Collaboration:Partner with colleagues to brainstorm creative, out-of-the-box solutions for unique challenges.We are looking for candidates who are able to work the following time shift:Tuesday - Saturday, 10 AM - 7 PM Pacific Time If you do not confirm you are available for a time shift, your application will automatically be disqualified. RequirementsWhat We're Looking For:Technical Expertise:Minimum of3 years of technical support experience, demonstrating strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to analyze technical logs. Problem-Solving Mindset:Naturally curious and driven to uncover the root cause of issues, with a proactive approach to resolution.Confident Communication:Skilled at explaining technical information in simple, clear terms. You're comfortable asking questions, documenting findings, and sharing insights.Empathy and Understanding:Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to deliver compassionate and thoughtful support in both written and verbal communications.Attention to Detail:Strong command of grammar (we're fans of the Oxford comma) and precision in both troubleshooting and communication.Team Player:Thrives in a collaborative environment, supporting and learning from teammates to achieve shared goals.Preferred Skills (Not Required):Familiarity with photography equipment, photo booth software, or related industries.Experience with Zendesk. A passion for learning new technologies and adapting quickly to changes.Why Join Photobooth Supply Co.?AtPhotobooth Supply Co., we help entrepreneurs succeed by providing innovative photo booth solutions and exceptional customer support. As a Tier 2 Technical Support Advocate, you'll play a crucial role in empowering our customers to thrive in their businesses. If you're a proactive problem solver who's passionate about delivering outstanding support, we'd love to hear from you!Ready to apply?Let's make magic togetherapply now and help our photo booth owners shine!Must live in one of the following states:ArizonaCalifornia - preferredColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisMontanaNevadaNew HampshireNew YorkNorth CarolinaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandTexasUtahVirginiaWyomingBenefits Health Benefits 401K for California Based Employees Education Stipend Remote Work Bonus Plan Annual Retreat Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule Quarterly Financial Meetings Open Book Management Intimate Team Work from Home Stipend

USA BASED CANDIDATES ONLY - Read below for a list of eligible statesAtPhotobooth Supply Co., we call this role a"Customer Advocate"because your mission is to champion our customers' success. We believe that friendly, empathetic, and knowledgeable support can make someone's day, and we're committed to making every customer interactionwhether via email, phone, or chata positive and impactful experience.This is atechnical support role, not your standard customer service position. If you thrive on troubleshooting complex software issues, solving unique problems, and communicating technical solutions with clarity, this could be the perfect fit for you.What You'll Do:Troubleshoot Complex Issues:Leverage your2+ years of technical support experienceto resolve software-related issues, including analyzing logs to uncover and address root causes.Communicate Clearly:Simplify complex technical concepts for our customers, ensuring they feel supported and informed every step of the way.Investigate and Solve:Approach intricate problems with curiosity, conducting thorough research to develop effective solutions.Educate and Empower:Collaborate with teammates to share insights and continuously expand both individual and team knowledge.Delight Customers:Deliver empathetic and personable support, creating positive customer experiences that go above and beyond expectations.Team Collaboration:Partner with colleagues to brainstorm creative, out-of-the-box solutions for unique challenges.We are looking for candidates who are able to work one of the following time shifts:Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM - 8 PM Pacific Time Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM Pacific Time Sunday - Thursday, 10 AM - 7 PM Pacific TimeIf you do not confirm you are available for a time shift, your application will automatically be disqualified. RequirementsWhat We're Looking For:Technical Expertise:Minimum of2 years of technical support experience, demonstrating strong troubleshooting skills. Problem-Solving Mindset:Naturally curious and driven to uncover the root cause of issues, with a proactive approach to resolution.Confident Communication:Skilled at explaining technical information in simple, clear terms. You're comfortable asking questions, documenting findings, and sharing insights.Empathy and Understanding:Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to deliver compassionate and thoughtful support in both written and verbal communications.Attention to Detail:Strong command of grammar (we're fans of the Oxford comma) and precision in both troubleshooting and communication.Team Player:Thrives in a collaborative environment, supporting and learning from teammates to achieve shared goals.Preferred Skills (Not Required):Familiarity with photography equipment, photo booth software, or related industries.Experience with Zendesk. A passion for learning new technologies and adapting quickly to changes.Why Join Photobooth Supply Co.?AtPhotobooth Supply Co., we help entrepreneurs succeed by providing innovative photo booth solutions and exceptional customer support. As a Tier 1 Technical Support Advocate, you'll play a crucial role in empowering our customers to thrive in their businesses. If you're a proactive problem solver who's passionate about delivering outstanding support, we'd love to hear from you!Ready to apply?Let's make magic togetherapply now and help our photo booth owners shine!Must live in one of the following states:ArizonaCalifornia - preferredColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisMontanaNevadaNew HampshireNew YorkNorth CarolinaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandTexasUtahVirginiaWyomingBenefits Health Benefits 401K for California Based Employees Education Stipend Remote Work Bonus Plan Annual Retreat Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule Quarterly Financial Meetings Open Book Management Intimate Team Work from Home Stipend

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.I thought the blue category was a pretty creative topic today. It made me think of certain comedy routines by the late, great Bob Newhart. Read on for today's Connections hints and answers.The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: What Mr. Kotter did for a livingGreen group hint: Store away for future useBlue group hint: Student drivers learn thesePurple group hint: Think fish baitAnswers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: TeachGreen group: CacheBlue group: Driving instructor directivesPurple group: ____ wormRead more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers? The completed NYT Connections puzzle for Jan. 13, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is teach. The four answers are coach, guide, school and train.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is cache. The four answers are bank, pool, reserve and store.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is driving instructor directives. The four answers are brake, park, signal and turn.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is ____ worm. The four answers are book, earth, glow and inch.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer?Click here for today's Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections and Strands puzzles.Today's Wordle puzzlereminds me of old-fashioned movie costumes, and maybe characters in The Lord of the Rings. It's a kind of clothing that I don't think I've ever owned. Still, it's likely you'll find today's Wordle answer with few problems. If you need hints and the answer, read on. Today's Wordle hints Before we show you today'sWordleanswer, we'll give you some hints. If you don't want a spoiler, look away now.Wordle hint No. 1: RepeatsToday's Wordle answer has no repeated letters.Wordle hint No. 2: VowelsThere are two vowels in today's Wordle answer.Wordle hint No. 3: Start letterToday's Wordle answer starts with the letter C.Wordle hint No. 4: Spy stuffToday's Wordle answer is often paired with "and dagger."Wordle hint No. 5: ClothingToday's Wordle answer describes an item of clothing that usually hangs loosely from the shoulders.TODAY'S WORDLE ANSWERToday's Wordle answer is CLOAK.Yesterday's Wordle answerYesterday's Wordle answer, Jan. 12, No. 1303, was TOTAL.Recent Wordle answersJan. 8, No. 1299: DRAFTJan. 9, No. 1300: WAFERJan. 10, No. 1301: CRAWLJan. 11, No. 1302: DINGY

Though it sometimes feels like everyone's following the same trend (AI), the technology we saw atCES 2025was remarkably diverse, from practical devices for your hometo mind-bogglingly powerful laptops to the next revolutions in health tech.Some of the concepts at CESmight come years in the future (or never), while many other products are available for sale right now. Here are the six biggest trends from CES that we think will make the largest impact in 2025.If you're looking for the very top products from the trade show, be sure to check out the official 2025 Best of CES Awards, selected by the CNET Group.Robots keep getting better, smarter, cuter, smaller and creepierMost of the non-novelty robots shown at CES bear a functional resemblance to the robots used commercially -- by that I mean you can tell they're the product of the same research in movement and AI as they pick things up, fold, clean and so on. Expensive models like Mi-Mo, Beatbot, R2D3 and more. Samsung's yellow Ballie home robot is going to ship this year. James Martin/CNETMore consumer-friendly models were less functional, like thetiny, fuzzy bots that you hang on your handbag as a fashion statementor the adorable model with huge anime eyes that follows you around on wheels but seems like a surveillance nightmare (the TCL AI Me). There were also the concepts of yesteryear that finally edged toward saleability, such asSamsung's Ballie -- a spherical bot with a projector in its belly, like a baby Teletubbie. Watch this: Sorry, There Are No 'Best Robots' at CES This Year 03:22 On the "whut?" front perches atiny robot whose function is simply to blow on hot beverages.But the models that resonated the most with us were home helpers that don't cost tens of thousands of dollars, likeRoborock's Saros Z70robot vacuum cleaner -- it sports an arm that can pick up your socks -- or Eureka's J15 Max Ultra, which detects spills and untangles its own brushes. And one of the most innovative was the Lymow One, a robot mower that cuts the grass and feeds mulched matter back to your lawn. There's always a ton of laundry robots -- unsurprising given how much everyone hates laundry -- like Tenet's AI Laundry Robot, which washes and folds.And we can't forget the token "most human-looking" robot, Realbotix's $175K Aria robot, which is designed for "companionship and intimacy" -- and looks it, given she's built along the lines of an old-school Barbie. CES 2025: Robots and AI Want to Be Everywhere You Are See all photos Ultimately, we chose not to pick a best robot because of how removed they were from interaction. In fact, many of the expensive models were in more of a zoo environment: Look at the magical creature in its habitat, repeatedly picking things up and moving them elsewhere. That's the kind of thing we've been seeing for years. James Martin/CNETNvidia doesn't make robots, but it's been working on its robot LLMs and operating systems for years. And every time Nvidia trots out this visual at its events, I can't help but think that Nvidia is building a robot army. Well, that and Metropolis.AI inside, again, but more powerfulThere seemed to be less hype about AI in devices (though it's possible I have successfully learned to tune it out), but about the same in mobile apps like Delta's AI concierge. However, it was everywhere in laptops thanks to the annual chip updates from Intel and AMD-- which of course brought the usual faster, better and improved battery life -- plus bundles of "try it!" software for your out-of-the-box AI experience. Watch this: Everything Announced at Nvidia's CES Event in 12 Minutes 11:47 But in this respect, Nvidia stole the show for its Cosmos AI model(Nvidia has been working on and licensing its various models for autonomous cars, robots and more for years, but this seemed to be its biggest "moment"), as well as its unveiling of the newest generation of consumer graphics.Read more:Nvidia Hands-Down Won AI at CES 2025, and Also the Show Itself. Here's Why That MattersThe GeForce RTX 50 seriesnot only promises the typical performance bump PC gamers expect, but thanks to the new Blackwell generation of GPUs, it brings more powerful and better generative AI capabilities down to your local system. That means cheaper entry for developers, the ability for end users to run bigger models, as well speed improvements (via Nvidia's DLSS 4) and more sophisticated capabilities for games. Watch this: These New Smart Glasses Want to Be Your Next AI Companion 02:31 There weren't a lot of new smart glasses, but Halliday's stood out for the way they present information: Rather than on the screen, they have a tiny monochrome display that shows text.Read more:Commentary: The Smart Glasses Moment Is Here. But They're Still Missing Something BigThe big AI news for cars at CES wasn't, for once, autonomininity: It was Volkswagen bringing ChatGPT to its voice assistant for more complex, natural-language help.Read more:Nvidia's CEO Explains How Its New AI Models Could Work on Future Smart GlassesCouch potato 'tainmentOne of CES' core pillars is entertainment (it used to be baked right into the name), which generally means TVs and audio. There weren't any new screen technologies, but there were improvements and innovations with existing ones. The suction cups on the back of the Displace TV James Martin/CNETTweaks to OLED came to TVs, with LG's G5 OLED's quality bump impressing us the most for its better brightness and contrast, along with HiSense's 116-inch MicroLED model. But the TV that seemed to make the biggest impact on us were Displace's hang-anywhere-thanks-to-huge-suction-cups TVs, shipping versions of prototypes we've seen in past years. Watch this: Displace TV's 55-Inch Television Hangs From a Wall Using Suction Cups 03:15 I think its impact was partly due to the enormous opportunity for "suck" puns.There was the usual complement of gaming desktops, laptops and monitors, the latter offering the typical year upgrade to higher refresh rates (500Hz and 600Hz). Watch this: Lenovo's New Legion Go S Gaming Handheld Is Lighter and Smaller but Packs a Big Surprise 03:30 But the biggest hit was Lenovo's new handheld console. The company is the first to offer (or at least announce) a SteamOS-based model, one of the new Legion G S models. Acer's Nitro Blaze 11 gaming handheld, however, earned some mockery, because you can't really respect a "handheld" if it's bigger than your head.Read more:Commentary: The Time for an Xbox Handheld Is NowBut it was also kind of hard to sustain excitement about gaming hardware at CES this year, because of a shiny new thing possibly on the horizon. Rumors say the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming soon.Health and beauty, the staples of CESSometimes I think CES specializes in sleep, skin and smart rings, plus technology designed to make you feel like a loser -- so manysmart mirrors, though none yet use generative AI to simulate your mother's critical voice or to show you what you could look like if you just tried harder. But maybe that's just me.There may not have been as many this year, but there were some standouts. Withing's Omnia smart mirror combines a scale and a mirror to not only tell you if you're overweight and in bad health, but to show you as well. There's always a device for analyzing your skin to tell you what to buy to fix it, such as L'Oreal's BioPrint. (To be fair, I don't know what it's suggestions are.) Watch this: I Said Yes to Trying a Smart Ring You Can Propose With 01:45 And, oh, the rings. One way to attract attention among the plethora of rings designed to monitor your health is to make it gold and platinum, like the UltraHuman Rare ring: Nothing's more romantic than a ring that says, "Marry me" and "Please don't die," simultaneously. Or alternatively, "Show me off on Instagram."Don't forget the annual dose of flatware that makes you healthier. This year's entrant is Kirin Electric Salt Spoon, intended to give you that salty taste without any of the nasty sodium -- by zapping your tongue with a bit of electricity. On the other hand, if they could do that for chocolate, I'd be first in line. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETAnd while the Nike x Hyperice's "boatlike booties are basically recovery high-tops festooned with buttons and designed to help your weary tootsies recover from soreness and strain," they sound pretty awesome.But there were some truly practical and innovative new products, like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, which stay in, are flush with your ears for side sleepers and have sensors and other tech to help improve the quality of your sleep. Our team also called out the YoctoMat, a smart yoga mat that provides feedback on your poses. And while I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as health or beauty, in the interest of hydration, the Roam SodaTop is a bottle cap with a CO2 cartridge so you can carbonate your water on the go.Home is where the heat isHome tech tends to cover a lot of bases, many of them robotic. No one really likes to vacuum, do laundry or mow the lawn like the AI-driven robot vacuums and lawnmower I mentioned above.Read more:Commentary I Really Don't Want an AI Pot to Turn My Plant Into a Tamagotchi From HellVideo smart locks seemed to be the focus of home security upgrades this year -- we call out Lockly's Vision Prestige and TCLs Smart Lock D1 Ultra-- providing more information than existing models. Notable, also, because someone breaking in doesn't use the video doorbell. 23 Fascinating Home Tech Gadgets We Saw at CES 2025, the Biggest Tech Show on Earth See all photos Cooling and heating were hot as well, especially Samsung's DHS Mono R32 HT heat pump, which heats outside air, condenses it to water and feeds it to your water tank. As an apartment dweller, I'm partial to the Gradient All-Weather 120V Window Heat Pump, which supplies heat when the weather gets frosty. Cooling and heating go hand-in-hand with utility bills and power backup -- I was really intrigued by the BioLite, which provides battery backup for a couple of key appliances, like the refrigerator. And Savant's Smart Budget is designed to save you money by routing power automatically (and manually) to balance output, thereby potentially saving you the expense of rewiring your home to support new, power-sucking devices. Plus, Aqara introduced the Touchscreen Dial V1, a clever and useful dial that can control all your smart devicesAnd lest we forget the bread-and-butter of small appliances. There are always plenty, though really it's the oddballs and gimmicks that catch more attention than the mundane. This year, we saw the phone-controlled Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-Oven, the Apecoo tortilla and roti maker (food samples reallyseemed to attract us), LG's "Perfect Fancy Microwave for Social Media" with a 27-inch display and much, much more.The future and the future's futureThe big deals for cars (and other things that tote people) tend to be new technologies and other future-flung concepts. BMW gave us panoramic IDrive with operating system X, a three-tier, ultra wide holographic 3D windshield display that's actually not too far out from your next BMW, and Hyundai Mobis holographic windshield display one-ups it by constraining the angle of view to the driver. Watch this: Aptera Solar EV Gets All the Energy It Needs From the Sun 04:45 We see flying cars at the show every year, but sadly we're no closer to me getting one. This year's concept-du-jour was the Xpeng AeroHT, a massive six-wheeler with an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle in its trunk. Aptera's solar EV isn't a flying car, but it really looks like it should have wings.The Pebble Flow Electric RV concept -- solar chargeable -- came back for a visit, as did Sony's Afeela, and the latter is ready for your money, if not delivery. Honda trotted out prototypes of its 0 series EVs (one step closer to reality than the concept we saw last year), a sports sedan and a van. See the new photos.But a new motor concept claims to vastly increase the range of EVs -- arguably more important than all the shiny paint and glowy dashboards. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETAnother concept that appealed to me personally was Nanosys' next-genMicroLED, dubbedUV LED, which uses ultraviolet light to energize RGB quantum dots to precise frequencies: Different lIght frequencies are how we perceive color. MicroLED may potentially supplant OLED in big screens and small. It somewhat upstaged Samsung's MicroLED watch concept with an uber-bright screen. Samsung also brought us a somewhat disturbing-lookingstretchable screenfor a 3D-ish view and a transparent MicroLED screen. Lenovo's concept ThinkBook with a rollable screen looks and gesture controls appear sleek.In a class by itself, the Flint Paper Batteryclaims to be a new, sustainable power source that may eventually replace lithium ion with cellulose. Watch this: I Made Things Weird Trying TSA's New Shoe Scanner Machine 03:53 Finally, I will never forget Bridget Carey smuggling Gummy Worms in her shoe to test TSA's new scanner -- after complaining about the ick factor of shuffling our socks or bare soles across a floor that's had thousands of other shoes scrape across it. Gummy Worms in your shoe has a pretty high ick factor, too.