When a renowned Israeli TV journalist lost his ability to speak clearly because of ALS, he thought his career might be over. But now, using artificial-intelligence software that can recreate his widely recognized gravelly voice, Moshe Nussbaum known to generations of viewers simply as Nussi is making a comeback.Nussbaum, 71, was diagnosed two years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive disease also known as Lou Gehrigs disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body.At the time, he vowed to viewers of Israels Channel 12 News to continue working as long as he was physically able. But, gradually, it became more and more difficult.It was a devastating blow to the career of a leading, no-nonsense reporter who for more than 40 years had covered many of Israels most important stories from the field. He had appeared from the scenes of suicide bombing attacks and the front lines of wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and had covered scandals in Israels parliament and high-profile court cases.After Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war in Gaza, Nussbaum was unable to report from the field. It was the first war of his career he had ever sat out, he noted in a recent interview with colleagues at Channel 12, the countrys largest station.Even though he was having trouble moving and speaking, he launched a segment interviewing injured soldiers from Israeli hospitals. His questions were slow and halting, but he kept it up for the first half of the war. Then, as it became increasingly difficult to speak, and to be understood, his interviews became less frequent.On Monday, Channel 12 made the surprising announcement that it would bring Nussbaum back on the air in the coming weeks as a commentator with the help of AI.It took me a few moments to absorb it and to understand that it is me speaking now, Nussbaum told the Associated Press via text message. Slowly, slowly, Im understanding the incredible meaning of this device for everyone with disabilities, including me.Nussbaum will report his stories, and then write them up, using an AI program that has been trained to speak using Nussbaums voice. He will be filmed as if he were presenting, and his lips will be technologically adjusted to match the words.People with speech disorders have used traditional text-to-speech technology for years, but those voices sound robotic and flat, and lack emotion. In contrast, AI technology is trained using recordings of a persons voice there are thousands of hours of Nussbaum speaking thanks to his lengthy career in TV and radio and it can mimic their intonations and phrasing.Thrilled by the possibilities the technology affords him, Nussbaum said he is also worried about the ease with which the technology could be used by bad actors to spread fake news and falsehoods.In its current form, the technology will not work for live broadcasts, so Nussbaum wont be able to go out into the field, which is his favorite part of the job, he said. Instead, he will focus on commentary and analysis about crime and national security, his areas of expertise for decades.Ahead of the broadcasts, Channel 12 released a preview showing snippets of Nussbaum speaking naturally garbled and difficult to understand followed by the new Nussi AI. The new version sounds strikingly like the old Nussbaum, speaking quickly and emphatically. Nussbaum was filmed as if he was presenting the report, sitting straight with his trademark bushy eyebrows moving up and down for emphasis.Honestly, this is my first time sitting here in the studio after more than a year, AI Nussbaum says in the preview. It feels a bit strange, and mostly, it tugs my heart.AI-powered voice cloning has grown exponentially in recent years.Experts have warnedthat the technology can amplify phone scams, disruptdemocratic electionsand violate the dignity of people living or dead who never consented to having their voice recreated to say things they never said.Its been used to producedeepfake robocallsmimicking President Joe Biden. In the U.S.,authorities recently chargeda high school athletic director with using AI to generate a fake audio clip of the schools principal making racist remarks.But the technology also has tremendous potential to help people who have lost their ability to speak clearly. A U.S. congresswoman who cannot speak due to complications from Parkinsons and a related palsy has used asimilar AI program to give a speech on the House floor, and the technology has also helped a young woman wholost her voice due to a tumor.Channel 12 declined to say which AI program it was using.Nussbaum had worried that ALS would rob him of the career he loved. In an interview with Channel 12, he recounted telling his managers dont feel like youre pitying me, doing me a favor, he said. The day you come to the conclusion that this is it tell me. Ill know how to accept it without a problem.He calls his new AI-enabled persona a magic trick that enabled his comeback, and believes it will raise awareness in Israel of ways that people with disabilities especially progressive disabilities can continue to work.The fact that Channel 12 and my news managers are allowing me to reinvent myself anew, that is one of the most important medicines I can get in my fight with this disease, he said.Melanie Lidman, Associated Press

Co-working brand The Malin has opened a location in Austin, Texas, offering bright open workspaces and cosy burgundy lounges for its members.The Malin's first location in the Lone Star State and its sixth nationally is situated in East Austin, inside a modernist-style new build by local architectural firm Chioco.Comfy lounge spaces with burgundy walls are available to The Malin East Austin membersAs with the brand's other clubs, the interiors are designed by an in-house team to have a residential atmosphere, using comfortable furniture, curated objects and plants.Throughout the 12,000-square-foot (115-square-metre) club, all of the furniture is custom-designed, while characterful lighting is sourced from brands including Blue Green Works and Bocci.Those working can choose between sofas, banquettes and large communal tablesThe club strategically caters to the area's burgeoning community of remote workers, entrepreneurs and tech startups."As a resource for Austin's workforce, our aim is to provide a workspace that is as dynamic as the multi-faceted city itself, supporting and inspiring their most ambitious professionals," said Malin founder and CEO Ciarn McGuigan.Custom furniture with velvet and mohair upholstery creates a residential feel in the spaceThe colour scheme is warm and sumptuous, mixing areas of soft neutral decor with others featuring dark green and rich purple walls and furniture."The palette evokes the calming hours before daybreak, with deep burgundy and eggplant shades, and the rich velvet and mohair upholstery to provide an added element of luxury," said the team.The colour scheme "evokes the calming hours before day break" according to The Malin teamMembers are greeted at a reception desk wrapped in rounded wooden bands and topped with richly veined stone.Behind the desk, claret-toned zellige tiles are laid inside the niches of a full-wall shelving system, which is populated with a variety of ceramic vessels.Read: Co-working members' club The Malin opens wood-filled Nashville locationThose working can choose between textured upholstered banquettes and booths, large communal tables accompanied by cushioned armchairs, or sofas and coffee tables.Dedicated desks for individuals and offices for small companies are also available, along with boardrooms for internal and external meetings, and private spaces that can be booked upon request.Comfy furniture and planting add to the residential atmosphereThe Malin's first clubs were in New York City, and it currently operates hubs in Soho, Williamsburg, NoMad and the West Village.The company recently expanded south, opening a wood-filled Nashville location last year and advertising an upcoming spot in Savannah.Members have access to a variety of meeting rooms and bookable private spacesAustin's economy has grown significantly over the past decade, particularly in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic, as many tech workers and creatives relocated to the city.As a result, a rise in the number of supertall skyscrapers in the Downtown area has been met with mixed opinions.The photography is by Alpha Smoot.The post The Malin co-working club in East Austin features light and dark workspaces appeared first on Dezeen.

And you do know you can get a free 30-day trial of Prime, right?!

So far Meta has only abandoned fact-checking in the US. If and when it expands, the move will be a major blow to the Latin American news ecosystem.

The 1,100-pound mystery object landed in Kenya at the end of December. Experts are still baffled.

continue reading

Amazon will be winding down its Prime Try Before You Buy program, which let Prime members try on clothes before paying for them, reports The Information. It will shutter on January 31st, according to a banner at the top of the services landing page.Amazon spokesperson Maxine Tagay said in a statement emailed to The Verge that the company is discontinuing the service because it only worked for a limited number of items and customers have been increasingly using our newAI-powered features to decide what to buy. Tagay gave examples like Virtual Try-On AR feature that puts 3D renders of shoes from certain brands on your feet using your smartphones camera. She also mentioned the companys LLM-powered personalized size recommendations that tweak size recommendations based on customer reviews.Prime Try Before You Buy launched in 2018 for all Prime subscribers as Amazon Wardrobe before the company later changed its name. Through it, Prime members can order up to six items, try them for seven days, then pay for what works and send back the rest like a very basic version of Stitch Fixs curated clothing service. But a big part of that is returns, which is something the company has been trying to cut back on.The discontinuation of Prime Try Before You Buy comes after years of cost-cutting at the company, as CNBC points out. Thats included massive layoffs and shuttering physical stores, as well as scaling back some of its efforts in the grocery industry.Here is the full statement Tagay provided to The Verge: Given the combination of Try Before You Buy only scaling to a limited number of items and customers increasingly using our newAI-powered featureslike virtual try-on, personalized size recommendations, review highlights, and improved size charts to make sure they find the right fit, were phasing out the Try Before You Buy option, effectiveJanuary31, 2025. Of course, customers will continue to enjoy fast, free shipping, with easy, free returns on our full apparel selection.

The inventive gadgets and gizmos at CES can often define the year, but most everything that appears on the showroom floor isnt going to be available until later in the year, if at all. Fortunately, thats not the case with Ankers 140W GaN charger, which is already available in black or silver for $79.99 ($10 off) when you clip the on-page coupon at Amazon or use promo code WSCPV2LBR7KR at Ankers online storefront.RelatedOut of all the chargers to come out of CES this year, the Anker Charger (140W) easily offers one of the more refreshing designs. The wall charger is unique in that it positions all four USB ports on the underside of the device, thus reorienting its center of gravity and helping prevent it from falling out when loaded with weighty cables. Two of those ports are USB-C ports that supply up to 140W of power letting you top off everything from a Nintendo Switch to the latest MacBook Pro while a third USB-C port maxes out at 40W. It also features a single USB-A port limited to 33W, as well as a built-in info display for viewing temperature data and the power output for each port.$80$80$9011% offAnkers latest GaN charger features an integrated display and four USB ports on the underside of the device, as opposed to the side, which helps keep it in place while charging.$80 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)$80 at Anker (with code WSCPV2LBR7KR)More ways to save this weekendAmazon is selling its Smart Air Quality Monitorfor $49.99 ($20 off), which is only $5 more than its best price to date. The compact device uses phone and voice alerts (via Echo speakers) to let you know when it detects abnormal changes in particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, humidity, and temperature. It can even automatically trigger Alexa-enabled air purifiers, along with humidifiers and other connected devices.Samsungs budget-friendly Galaxy Buds FE are down to $59.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, nearly matching their lowest price to date. Theyre a good bet if you could care less about multipoint support and wireless charging, as they offer reliable performance, enjoyable sound, and surprisingly good noise cancellation for the price. They also sport a wing tip design, which can provide a more secure fit if you struggle with traditional in-ears. Read our review.Note: Quentyn Kennemer also contributed to this post.

2025 looks to be a huge year for handheld gaming. After many years in the wilderness, pushed aside by the rise of mobile games and the departure of PlayStation from the handheld market, theres now a medley of portable consoles and gaming PCs enjoying a renaissance in quality on-the-go gaming experiences.The biggest name among them: the Nintendo Switch 2. The company pulled off an incredible comeback with 2017s Switch, reversing its fortunes after a limp response to the Wii U, selling 150 million units over the next seven years, recycling its underutilised Wii U library, and launching two of the best Zelda games ever made. With a new version expected in early 2025, everyone is waiting with baited breath to see what Nintendo has up its sleeve, though its likely Nintendo will play things safe to continue its current winning streak.The Switch 2 looks to be less of a revolution, and more of an evolution, with backwards compatibility for Switch games and a similar form factor to the 2017 console. However, while were low on official details, we are high on leaks.Reports so far suggest an expanded 8-inch LCD screen, 1080p output in handheld mode, 4K upscaling in docked mode, electromagnetic Joy-Cons that ditch the current Switchs rail attachment system, and a custom version of Nvidias T234 mobile processor that should at least beat the PS4 and Xbox One for performance. You might even be able to use a Joy-Con as a mouse!PlayWhile Ill personally miss the benefits of the Switch OLEDs display, I cant deny the draw of a more powerful LCD Switch, and its very likely to be a hot purchase for many years to come. Its just worth asking whether the Switch 2 is going to be quite as successful, or desirable, in a market now crowded with excellent handheld competitors,Alongside the ongoing success of Valves Steam Deck, weve just seen a fleet of new gaming PCs unveiled at CES, many of which build on previous 2024 devices and have allowed manufacturers to iterate faster than Nintendos near-decade-long console cycles. So can the Switch 2 repeat its victory lap in 2025, or not?The First Switch Era Comes to a Close, Will a New One Begin?For the first few years of the Nintendo Switchs lifespan, there was no meaningful competition handheld gaming had been largely abandoned by other electronics manufacturers, content to leave the space to mobile gaming and the steady succession of Nintendo DS consoles.The Switch blew apart the assumption that handheld consoles had fallen out of favor with the gaming public, showing a massive appetite for on-the-go gaming bolstered by modern display technologies and a pinch of Nintendo ingenuity (Home console? Handheld? Why not both?).However, success naturally breeds imitators. In 2022 we got Valves Steam Deck, a gaming PC that cost a little more than the mainline Switch, but managed to ride on Nintendos popularisation of handheld gaming while offering a distinct modus operandi bringing a PC gamers entire Steam library on the go. The Steam Deck cleaves pretty close to the Switch in many areas, including an equivalent 1280x800 resolution and a price tag only slightly higher than the $350 Switch OLED (for the base Steam Deck model, at least). However, its set apart by access to the Steam library, and a chunkier, more ergonomic build that isnt as focused on fitting a childs hands.PlayWhile theres no immediate Steam Deck 2 in sight likely not until 2026 or beyond Valves machine is still very much in demand, and now surrounded by competitors. Theres a wide range of handheld gaming PCs running on the Windows operating system, from the Asus ROG Ally X to the GPD Win 4, which offer the full benefits of a Windows desktop PC, with access to Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, GOG, and itch.io stores alongside other apps and services. And with a new suite of AMD Z2 chipsets launching in 2025 for improved performance and battery life, these portable gaming PCs look better placed than ever to take on a Switch successor.Whos the competition?The biggest story in new handhelds is the Lenovo Legion Go S, a newer, lighter version of last years Legion Go that ditches the formers removable controllers for an all-in-one design, doubles its RAM to 32GB, and packs a 120Hz display.Whats most interesting is that it comes in both Windows 11 and SteamOS configurations, meaning you can opt for a third-party Steam Deck or a more fleshed-out Windows ecosystem. Youll also be able to choose between models with the new Z2 Go chipset and an older Z1 processor, meaning a wide range of prices from $599 to $729 when taking all the different configurations into account. A next-gen Legion Go 2 is also on the horizon this year, packing in a new AMD Z2 Extreme processor and doubling its battery capacity helpful given the Legion Go tended only to last an hour or two between charges.Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2025 (That We Know Of)Elsewhere, Acers Nitro Blaze range is expanding with an 11-inch handheld with a 2560x1600 120Hz display that should make the Switchs screen look positively scrawny even if it costs $1199 and sounds like a literal handful. And the MSI Claw 8 AI+, an update to the MSI Claw, has a new Intel Lunar Lake chipset, an improved 80WHr battery, an 8-inch 120Hz display, a $899 price tag, and a lot to prove after the dour reception of last years model.I also wouldnt rule out the Asus ROG Ally range. The $799 ROG Ally X topped our best handheld gaming PC guide last year, thanks to a hefty 80WHr battery, 1TB of storage, and brilliant on-the-go performance. We said in our review that, with more and faster memory and double the battery as the original Ally, the Ally X will run any modern game without dying in an hour and a half. Theres no official announcement for a 2025 successor, but the Ally X could well find a 2025 audience, or get a replacement later in the year.Which Handheld Will Win 2025?These souped-up Windows (and SteamOS) handhelds have some key benefits over the Switch 2. They largely sidestep the sub-$400 market, leaving that easily-won territory to Nintendo or less capable devices, and focusing on more impressive specs. Compared to the Switch ecosystem, you can generally expect more powerful processors, higher resolutions and frame rates, and the openness of a Windows ecosystem that can access multiple game storefronts and therefore a greater variety of games. Even if youre locked into SteamOS, Steam alone has over 70 thousand games, compared to only a handful of thousand on Nintendo Switch. So its worth remembering that the Switch, for all its charm and first-party exclusives, has a much smaller list of available titles overall.However, Windows 11 is not an ideal interface for a handheld gaming PC, given it was never designed with that purpose in mind. Theres something to the focus and simplicity of Nintendos operating system, which is often what draws people to a dedicated console in the first place. A new Switch will likely fall short on specification compared to many handhelds released in 2025, without the pure power that comes with pricier processors and a focus on playing AAA PC games. But an improved handheld experience, and some AI upscaling to boost its capabilities in docked mode, should go some way to plugging the gap. And given its domination of the sub-$400 market, and the strength of the Nintendo Switch name, I dont think any of these competitors are going to meaningfully dent the Switch 2s success, or come close to its sales numbers, and Id call Switch 2 the best choice for most gamers in 2025.PlayFor committed PC gamers, or anyone with a lot more than $400 cash to splash, then the Lenovo Legion Go S may be the best shout especially with a SteamOS option for those who dont want to bother with Windows 11s nonoptimal interface. Until we see an official Steam Deck 2, this is likely the best way to play your Steam library on the go.For a Windows handheld, it gets a little trickier. I dont have too high hopes for MSIs latest handheld, and while Acer may have cornered the 11-inch handheld market, it probably wont be a good fit for most, uh, hands. Id probably recommend the Legion Go S in a Windows formulation, or stick to the Asus ROG Ally range.A decade ago, a surge in portable consoles would have seemed ludicrous, but the category is seeing explosive growth with no sign of letting up just yet. Now, theres a huge suite of options to enjoy, whether youre after a portable Steam library, a Windows gaming handheld, or a souped-up Zelda machine. Theres only one real winner in 2025 and thats handheld gamers. Henry St. Leger is a freelance writer for IGN.

Scientists in the UK have forged 5.5 tonnes of a new kind of steel capable of withstanding the searing heat and intense neutron radiation of nuclear fusion, the same reaction that powers the Sun and stars. The breakthrough is another boost to Europes growing flock of fusion energy startups.A UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) working group called NEURONE produced the reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic steel, or RAFM for short. It marks the first time that RAFM has been produced on an industrial scale in Britain.This is really positive and potentially has relevance for all fusionenergy projects, Ryan Ramsey, COO at British startupFirst Light Fusion, told TNW.Fusion reactors superheat hydrogen atoms to extremely high temperatures, forming a charged gas called plasma. Using magnetic fields or lasers to compress the plasma, they force the atoms to fuse, releasing huge amounts of energy that can be used to generate electricity.When running, the plasma inside a fusion energy machine reaches temperatures of 150 millionC temporarily making them the hottest points in our solar system. Giant magnets suspend this plasma in mid-air keeping it away from direct contact with the metal walls. The walls are also cooled to stop them from overheating. Nevertheless, no ordinary steel is up to the task.The of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!The biggest problem isnt the heat, its neutron damage, said Ramsey. Neutron radiation can quickly degrade the inner walls of a nuclear reactor.If you dont manage that, then youll be shutting down the fusion reactor regularly to replace the walls, which means youre not producing power during that time frame, he explained.The inner walls of fusion reactors, like the retired JET tokamak machine pictured here, must withstand searing heat and intense radiation. Credit: EUROfusionNEURONEs new steel can withstand high neutron loads and temperatures of up to 650C, potentially improving the operational efficiency of future fusion powerplants.For startups like Oxford University spinout First Light, the development marks another step towards the moonshot goal of building a commercially viable fusion reactor.NEURONE forged the steel using an electric arc furnace, which runs on electricity instead of coal, housed at the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) in Middlesbrough. The UKAEA said that its new forging method could make producing RAFM up to 10 times cheaper than was previously possible.The production of 5.5 tonnes of fusion-grade RAFM steel lays the foundation for cost-effective manufacturing of these types of fusion steel for future commercial fusion programmes, said David Bowden, who heads up the NEURONE programme.Despite huge progress, fusion energy has always seemed to be that 20-years-away technology. But the tides might be changing. According to a poll at the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) forum in London last year, 65% of industry insiders think fusion will generate electricity for the grid at a viable cost by 2035, and 90% by 2040. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.