Twitter makes recording Spaces available to everyone
Twitter has announced a small change to its Clubhouse clone, Twitter Spaces, that could make everyone ditch the former and sign up to the latter. Or, at least, that’s what Twitter wants. The change we’re talking about was first announced in October 2021. Back then, Twitter offered the ability to record Spaces and make the recording available to listeners who might’ve missed the stream.
But at first, the feature wasn’t available to everyone. Only “some hosts” could use the feature. Presumably, this was to test out if the thing actually worked properly before pushing it out to everyone. Well, that testing must be over because now everyone, on both Android and iOS, is allowed to use the feature. All users may now select “Record Spaces” when starting a Space. This will make it available for public playback for 30 days after the Space has ended. Hosts can delete the recordings at any time but Twitter will keep the audio for a little longer — 120 days. This is so Twitter can use it to verify terms of service violation reports. Twitter actually got this one out to market before Clubhouse. It’s not going to make people switch but maybe users will think twice when choosing a platform to sign up on.
Source: Engadget
This face mask sensor can track your heartbeat
Like them or not, face masks have become a part of our everyday lives. It was only a matter of time before someone turned them into a smart wearable. This time, it was a team of researchers at Northwestern University. They’ve developed a sensor that goes inside your face mask. Naturally, they called it “Facebit”. The sensor magnetically attaches to the inside of any N95, cloth, or surgical face mask. It’s supposed to track your heart rate using the subtle movements your head makes when your heart pumps blood. It can also track your real-time respiration rate, how long you’ve had the mask on for and how well it fits your face.
That last one is particularly useful for healthcare workers. It can’t replace a proper N95 fit test but it can help you maintain a good fit over an extended period. The sensor does use a battery but it also pulls power from your breathing force and heat, motion and the sun to extend battery life. One of the creators, Josiah Hester, even hopes to get rid of the battery altogether at some point. It still has many clinical trials to go through before it is available for purchase. We wonder when it’ll feature AI Assistant support.
Source: Northwestern University
There have been whispers about a new iPad and iPhone
Earlier this year, Mark Gurman claimed Apple would release the next iPhone SE. Now, another leaker from Japan claims that we’ll also see the 5th generation of Apple’s iPad Air in what the Americans call a ‘Spring launch’. That usually means between March and May. According to the leak, the design, camera setup and size will remain unchanged from the previous-generation iPad.
The big upgrade will come from the new A15 Bionic chipset that Apple stuck in its iPhone 13 range last year. This will reportedly power both the new iPhone SE and iPad Air. The new iPad will also get 5G support for the cellular models and a slightly better 12MP ultrawide selfie camera. Apple refreshed all the other iPad ranges last year so it makes sense that it does the same with the iPad Air. With so many choices just from Apple, it’ll have to be up to which features you can’t do without that informs your purchase.
Source: TechRadar
Subaru shows off new EV racing car concept
At the Tokyo Auto Salon, Subaru, the newest automaker to dip its toes into EV waters, revealed two new EV concepts. The STI E-RA Concept is the first all-electric racing car from the company and generates 1,073HP from four Yamaha motors. It also uses the “extensive downforce” and all-wheel drive in a new torque vectoring system. The 60kWh battery is relatively small and won’t net you very many kilometres of range. But that doesn’t matter so much when you’re driving around a track. Subaru seems confident in the E-RA. It’s hoping to beat out the Tesla Model S Plaid around the Nürburgring with a time of six minutes and 40 seconds sometime next year.
That’s still a while away. There will likely be more EVs released before then. Maybe EVs like Subaru’s other vehicle, the Solterra STI Concept. This will likely be a beefier version of the 2023 crossover. The company didn’t specify the changes between the STI and non-STI variants but judging from the flair, this one will go faster. That’s how cars work, right?
Source: Electrek