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Tesla robot walks better // Nintendo Switch voice chat

PLUS: Amazon made a late bid for TikTok, potentially acquiring the popular social media platform before the divestment deadline to avoid a ban.... SMRTR every day.
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SMRTR Tech
Thursday, ​April 3, 2025
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Medical Tech

Breakthrough AI system restores speech for paralyzed patients—How it works (3 minute read)
UC Berkeley and UCSF researchers have developed an AI system to restore real-time natural speech for paralyzed individuals using their own voices. The technology decodes brain signals within one second, working with various brain sensing interfaces to rapidly convert neural activity into speech output, potentially improving quality of life for patients with conditions like ALS.
 
Breakthrough brain-to-voice tech brings natural speech within reach for paralyzed patients (5 minute read)
Researchers have developed a brain-computer interface system that can restore natural speech for people with severe paralysis. The system uses AI to decode neural signals from the brain's motor cortex into audible speech in near-real time, reducing latency significantly compared to previous methods. Tested on a 47-year-old woman unable to speak since a stroke, the technology showed high accuracy and adaptability. This breakthrough could greatly improve communication for individuals with conditions like ALS or stroke-induced paralysis within the next decade.
 
Tiny, Injectable Pacemaker Runs on Light and then Dissolves (4 minute read)
A miniature, dissolvable temporary pacemaker, injectable with a needle, has been created to eliminate surgical implantation and removal. Smaller than a rice grain, it uses a galvanic cell for power and a light-activated switch for control. Paired with a skin patch to monitor heart rate, it functions for days to weeks before dissolving. This advancement could minimize risks associated with traditional temporary pacemakers, particularly for newborns and patients with small hearts.
 
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AI News

Tesla shares Optimus’ improved walk in new update video (11 minute read)
Tesla plans to produce its first "legion" of about 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots in 2025. A new video shows Optimus walking more naturally with straight knees, smoother gait, and arm swaying. The robot's design has progressed rapidly since its 2021 announcement, with improved components like hands with 22 degrees of freedom. Tesla aims to start production quickly, having already made the first robot on its Fremont Factory production line.
 
Abusive AI Web Crawlers: Get Off My Lawn (4 minute read)
A massive botnet, likely comprised of compromised Android set-top boxes, is flooding websites with fraudulent requests. One shared hosting server received 1.5 million fake requests daily from 290,000 unique IP addresses. The attack uses randomly generated User-Agents and single requests from each IP, making it difficult to block. Brazil is the largest source of traffic, with consumer ISPs globally affected. This has caused server strain and disrupted some legitimate users, particularly those with older computers.
 
AI In 2035: How Technology Will Reshape Human Identity (5 minute read)
AI is expected to fundamentally reshape human behavior, cognition, and relationships by 2035. Experts predict potential erosion of critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and individual autonomy, along with increased polarization and fragmented reality, though some see opportunities for AI to enhance human capabilities.
 
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Nintendo Updates

We finally know about the C button on the Nintendo Switch 2 – here’s what it does (3 minute read)
Nintendo Switch 2 introduces Game Chat, a new feature enabling audio and video communication between users through a dedicated C button on the Joy-Con. This built-in chat function will be free for the first year, after which it becomes a paid service, aiming to replicate the couch multiplayer experience for online gaming.
 
GameCube games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online (2 minute read)
Nintendo Switch Online is expanding to include GameCube games starting June 5th, coinciding with the Switch 2 launch. Popular titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and F-Zero GX will be available with improved image quality and resolution as part of the Expansion Pack subscription.
 
The Nintendo Switch 2 offers built-in voice chat and screensharing (2 minute read)
Nintendo Switch 2 introduces GameChat, allowing easy voice communication and screen sharing with friends. The new feature, activated by a dedicated button, supports up to 12 people for voice chat and 4 for screen sharing, with safety measures in place for younger users.
 
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Miscellaneous

Segway’s robot mower for massive lawns hits the US (2 minute read)
Segway's Navimow X3 robot lawnmower series is now available in the US, capable of mowing up to 2.5 acres. The mowers use advanced navigation technology, can avoid obstacles, adapt to weather conditions, and operate quietly, with prices ranging from $2,299 to $4,999 for different models.
 
Could Amazon Become TikTok’s New Owner? (3 minute read)
Amazon made a late bid for TikTok, close to ByteDance's divestment deadline to avoid a ban. The offer wasn't taken seriously by negotiators. TikTok faces an April 5 deadline to find a new owner due to security concerns. Other potential buyers include AppLovin and Oracle with partners. President Trump anticipates a new owner by the deadline and wants TikTok to remain operational.
 
Amazon-Starlink space race heats up as Kuiper gears up for first launch on April 9 (4 minute read)
Amazon will launch its first operational Kuiper satellites on April 9, marking a major step in its $10+ billion satellite internet project. The company aims to deploy over 3,000 satellites to compete with Starlink, facing tight regulatory deadlines and an established competitor in SpaceX's 8,000-satellite network.
 
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Bite-Size Stories

Why We Should Expand Asimov’s Three Laws Of Robotics With A 4th Law (8 minute read)
A proposed fourth law to Asimov's robotics rules focuses on hybrid intelligence, merging human and AI abilities to actively improve society and the environment, rather than just preventing harm in our AI-integrated world.
 
Rumor: iOS 19 May Leave These Three iPhones Behind (3 minute read)
Apple might end support for iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max in iOS 19, expected in 2025, making it compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models, while introducing interface redesigns, AI improvements, and camera enhancements.
 
A Minecraft Movie review: It's good, actually (6 minute read)
The Minecraft Movie unexpectedly combines humor and emotion, featuring characters transported to the game world, blending reality with game elements, and delivering a message about creativity, all enhanced by Jack Black's lively portrayal of Steve.
 
Mario Kart World – everything we know so far (6 minute read)
Mario Kart World, launching for Switch 2 in June 2025, introduces a connected world map, 24-player races, and new mechanics like grinding and wall-riding, offering seamless racing across multiple tracks in a large, unified environment.
 
I switched to Huawei's $3,600 tri-foldable - now I'm wondering why tablets still exist (6 minute read)
Huawei's Mate XT Ultimate tri-fold phone boasts a 10.2-inch screen that folds into a pocket-sized device, offering three display modes and a slim 3.6mm thickness when unfolded, advancing foldable technology and enhancing video viewing.
 
81 mph speeding: World-first autonomous flying taxis to soar in China’s skies (4 minute read)
China approved EHang's passenger drones for commercial use, starting with tourism routes and potentially expanding, using the EH216-S aircraft that carries two passengers at 81 mph for 22 miles, advancing China's "low-altitude economy" projected to reach $207 billion by 2025.
 
Google brings AI-powered weather forecasts to Africa (2 minute read)
Google's AI-powered Nowcasting offers precise, localized weather predictions every minute for 12 hours within a 5km radius, significantly improving forecasting in Africa where traditional methods are limited by inadequate infrastructure.